Whether pumpkin carving or chestnut roasting, the next few months promise unbridled holiday
joy for millions. However, for pet owners nationwide, it may be worth a brief paws before
jumping headfirst into the festivities. Unfortunately, alongside the holiday fun exists the potential
for disrupted routines and excessive noise for furry friends – factors that drive a significant spike
in lost pet reports every holiday season.
From loud crowds and sudden car horns to distant New Year’s fireworks, there are plenty of
panic-inducing noises that cause even the most well-behaved dog to bolt in fear. That’s why it’s
critical for pet owners to have a plan before the front door is mistakenly left open, or the clock
strikes midnight on January 1st. This holiday season, keeping your furry friend safe is as easy
as remembering this holiday-friendly acronym, C.L.A.U.S: Containment, Location, Anxiety, Updated ID, and Seasonal Safety.
C is for Containment: Avoiding the Doorway to Doom
During the holidays, a constant flow of guests and deliveries can transform any front door into a
pet owner’s #1 escape liability. Dogs prone to “door darting” will often find more opportunities to flee to parts unknown during the holidays than at any other time. Even if Fido may enjoy his/her midnight frolic, it’s a scary scenario for pet owners. For pet owners, establishing a strict containment protocol can help mitigate this risk.
Before answering the door, secure your pet away from the entryway. This can be accomplished
by placing them in a separate room with the door closed, safely crating them, or using a sturdy
baby or pet gate to block access to the foyer. For trained dogs, you can even reinforce
commands like “Boundary Stay,” which teaches them not to cross the door threshold without
your permission (this strategy is particularly useful in multi-dog households where guest arrivals
usually generate chaos).
Although physical barriers remain among the most effective ways to prevent impulse escapes,
adding a smart wearable like the SATELLAI Collar or Collar Go can boost containment
strategies further. By delivering audio commands like “Good” or “Go Home” through an
easy-to-use app, you can coax your pup back home after an escape (even after they’re out of
earshot).
L is for Location: Spot “Spot” From a Mile Away
This tip is unlike any other because it is most helpful after an escape occurs. Investing in a solid pet wearable will put any pet owner several steps ahead, if the worst were to happen. Thanks to modern technology, wearable devices like those from SATELLAI can deliver real-time GPS-powered updates on a pet’s location, ensuring no time is wasted on a blind search. Given that the first 24 hours after a pet is lost are widely considered to be the most critical, these minutes or hours saved can make all the difference. A recent study found that 67.2% of all lost pets are found within this window (afterwards, the percentage drops to 20.4%).
GPS e-collars like SATELLAI’s Collar Go not only utilise GPS to efficiently and effectively track
your dog’s location in real time, but can also alert guardians immediately if their pet breaches a
designated zone. These proactive alerts can maximise the chance of recovery (before Fido
makes it all the way to Times Square).
A is for Anxiety: Establishing a Sensory Sanctuary
The holidays, with their inherent disruption to established schedules and a deluge of unfamiliar
sounds and scents, can quickly overwhelm even the most even-tempered pup. Since this
newfound anxiety can fuel escape attempts, it’s important to provide our furry friends a
dedicated “sensory sanctuary” to help them manage the stress of a chaotic holiday season.
What does a sensory sanctuary look like? Start by designating a quiet space or a cozy nook
insulated from the nucleus of holiday joy: the family room. This safe zone should contain familiar
items: their bed, favorite toys, water, and even a long-lasting treat (like a Kong with a dash of
peanut butter inside). For especially anxious pups, you can even help mask the unfamiliar and
anxiety-inducing noise of a busy house by playing soft classical music.
How can pet owners tell if their efforts are working? Pet wearables may help. Not all e-collars
are created equal, but the best are far from mere GPS beacons. The highest-tech collars of the
bunch can monitor steps, sleep quality, and even track calories, and SATELLAI’s Collar Go even ships with a custom AI embedded in its app. Tracking how your furry friend is doing is now easier than ever, making it a breeze to track the impact of your sensory sanctuary.
U is for Updated ID: Don’t Leave Home Without It
For pet owners who have invested in a SATELLAI Collar or Collar Go, finding a lost pet is easier than ever. This is thanks to features meant to enhance nighttime visibility, ranging from the SATELLAI Collar’s reflective fabric cover edging and Mag Strap stripe, to the SATELLAI Collar Go’s reflective band and remotely-activated light. However, once these technologies aid in Fido’s recovery by a well-meaning good Samaritan or by animal control officials, identification like ID tags and microchipping are still needed to help reconnect pets and owners. Collar tags, although the most visible and immediate form of identification, often fall off or break.
This is why pairing an external ID tag with a microchip is essential. A microchip provides a permanent form of identification that stays with your dog, regardless of collar status, and can be scanned by any shelter or veterinarian. Once your pet has been microchipped, ensure their registration details are up to date. After all, this permanent form of ID is the only surefire way to ensure you and your pet can still be reunited, even if their collar is lost or broken.
S is for Seasonal Safety: Decorate Defensively
Finally, it’s worth remembering that pet safety during the holidays requires more than just making sure they don’t escape. Rather, it’s also important to safeguard against indoor and outdoor dangers posed by seasonal items, from Christmas lights to toxic decor. To protect your pet this holiday, manage electrical wires carefully, as dogs may be tempted to chew on exposed wires. To avoid the risk of electric shock or entanglement, use cable tidies or tubes to tuck away or conceal any exposed cords. Moving indoors, ensure all decorations are placed out of reach, as dogs can easily knock ornaments free or chow down on inedible, toxic decor.
If you have a real tree, also clean up dropped needles, which can cause digestive issues if swallowed. Finally, remember to never leave open flames—such as candles or menorahs—unattended. Place them on stable, high surfaces out of the range of a curious pet or a wagging tail. Make no mistake, the holidays can be one of the most special times of the year. It’s a time for family and friends, good food, and yes, even time spent cuddling around the fireplace with Fido. However, it’s also a time that calls for increased vigilance from pet owners. Investing in a smart e-collar, like the SATELLAI Collar or Collar Go, and developing a solid contingency plan for any unplanned escapes, can help provide essential peace of mind that lasts long after the final verse of “Auld Lang Syne.”
