Christmas Morning With Dogs: What Really Happens
Updated: 4 days ago
Christmas morning with a dog in the house never quite goes to plan. There's wrapping paper flying, the smell of breakfast, visitors at the door and a tree full of shiny things. Some dogs dive straight in. Some watch from the sofa. A few decide every present is for them. After more than 30 years with dogs, I've seen most of the ways Christmas morning can go. Here's what it often looks like with dogs and puppies, what tends to go wrong and how to make the morning calmer and more fun for everyone.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Christmas morning is a big, exciting change of routine for dogs, so expect more energy and slower responses than usual. Start with a walk or a sniff in the garden before presents. Give puppies a safe spot and a chew, and tidy away ribbons and bows. Open presents one at a time, and wrap a dog toy so your dog has something of their own to open. Keep your dog out of the kitchen while you cook, and give them a stuffed chew elsewhere. Give nervous dogs a quiet room away from visitors. Keep tinsel and breakable decorations up high. Build in short breaks through the day, and let your dog rest when they're tired. It doesn't have to be perfect to be a lovely morning.
The early start
Dogs notice the change straight away. Piles of presents, a tree indoors and everyone up early can be more exciting than any training session.
Many dogs pace at the bedroom door or nudge the duvet before it's light. A short walk or a good sniff in the garden first thing helps. It gives your dog a chance to burn off some energy and reset before the busy part of the day. Read your dog's Christmas morning routine.
A puppy's first Christmas
A puppy's first Christmas is lovely, and it's also busy and unpredictable. Puppies are still learning about the world, and Christmas morning is a huge mix of new sights, sounds and smells.
Expect things to get a bit wild. A blanket by the tree meant as a calm spot can quickly become a launch pad. Puppies explore with their mouths, so wrapping paper, ribbon and bows are very tempting. Help your puppy with a few simple steps:
take ribbons and bows off presents the night before
keep presents behind a pen or in another room until you're ready
give your puppy a chew or a stuffed food toy while you open gifts
pop them out for a toilet break before you start
Opening the presents
This is where most Christmas dog stories come from. Some dogs sit patiently. Others want to be right in the middle. A few are sure every present is theirs.
Wrap a dog toy or two so your dog has something of their own to open. Many dogs love tearing the paper off, and it keeps them busy while you open yours. If your dog gets too excited, slow down. Open one present at a time, keep a favourite chew close by and reward calm moments.
Not every dog wants to join in. A quieter or rescue dog may prefer to lie by the sofa and simply enjoy everyone being together. That's fine. Read include your dog in Christmas traditions.
Christmas breakfast
The smell of a cooked breakfast can turn even a well-trained dog into a hopeful shadow. Some dogs sit politely, then start offering every trick they know.
Keep your dog out of the kitchen while you cook, behind a stair gate or in another room with a stuffed chew. It keeps them safe from hot pans and dropped food, and it lets you cook in peace. If you'd like your dog to have something special, give a little of their usual food in a food toy. Keep rich leftovers away. Read what not to feed your dog at Christmas dinner.
Visitors
Dogs react to visitors in very different ways. Some greet everyone as if they came just to see them. Others need time to warm up, and some find the noise hard.
A lead by the door helps an excitable dog say hello calmly. Once the greeting is done, many dogs settle quickly. For nervous dogs, a quiet room with a comfy bed makes a huge difference. Given a safe place to go, many dogs relax enough to come back out later. Read how to prepare your dog for holiday visitors.
The tree and decorations
Some dogs ignore the tree completely. Others want to investigate every branch, or stare at the lights trying to work out if they're alive.
Keep breakable and edible decorations up high, and secure the tree so it can't topple. Tinsel is especially tempting for puppies because it moves, so leave it off the lower branches or skip it this year. Read Christmas tree safety tips.
When something goes wrong
Even with good planning, something nearly always happens. A stocking full of biscuits gets left too near the edge. A guest leaves the door open. A puppy steals a bit of wrapping paper.
None of this needs to spoil the day. Quietly sort it out and move on. Dogs take their lead from us, so staying calm helps them settle. Just keep an eye on anything your dog might have swallowed, and ring your vet if you're worried.
Breaks and rest
Dogs process excitement more slowly than we do. A short walk, a few minutes in the garden or some quiet time away from the noise can make a big difference.
Puppies in particular can go from full speed to fast asleep in the middle of the wrapping paper. Let them nap. A tired puppy who doesn't get a rest often becomes a bitey, overexcited one later. Give your dog a few quiet minutes with just you too. A scratch behind the ears goes a long way on a busy day.
Honest expectations
Christmas morning isn't a show. Your dog is just trying to work out what's going on. Expect more energy, slower responses to cues and your dog being very much themselves.
A lively dog will be lively. A cautious dog will need time. Once you stop trying to make it perfect, the morning usually becomes much more fun, and the funny moments are often the ones you remember.
RENEE'S TIP
Get a "Christmas morning box" ready the night before. Put in a long-lasting chew, a stuffed food toy, a wrapped dog toy and your dog's lead. When the morning gets busy, everything you need to keep your dog happy and occupied is in one place.
QUICK CHECK
ā Start with a walk or a sniff in the garden
ā Remove ribbons and bows and give puppies a chew
ā Wrap a toy so your dog has a present to open
ā Keep your dog out of the kitchen while you cook
ā Give nervous dogs a quiet room and plenty of breaks
FREE DOWNLOAD FROM RENEE
Christmas with Your Dog
A free guide with the Christmas dangers to know about, a plan for the busy days and who to ring if your dog needs a vet on Christmas Day.
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with a dog who struggles at Christmas
If your dog gets overexcited, worried by visitors or won't settle when the house is busy, I can help you plan for the festive season in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
How do I keep my dog calm on Christmas morning?
Start with a walk, give them a chew while you open presents, take breaks and give them a quiet place to rest.
Can my dog open presents?
Yes. Wrap a dog toy in plain paper with no ribbon, and stay with them while they open it.
Is wrapping paper dangerous for dogs?
It can cause tummy upsets or blockages if swallowed, so tidy it away and watch puppies closely.
Should my dog be in the room when guests arrive?
Excitable dogs can greet on a lead. Nervous dogs often do better in a quiet room.
What if my puppy gets overexcited?
Take a break outside or in a quiet room, give them a chew and let them nap.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
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