Thanksgiving With Your Dog: Calm, Safe, and (Actually) Enjoyable
- Esther Edge
- 14 minutes ago
- 6 min read
Thanksgiving is one of those days that really tests how well our dogs handle real life.
There’s food on every surface, kids dropping rolls under the table, people coming and going, and a whole lot of “Oh, just give him a bite, what’s the harm?”
If your dog struggles with begging, counter-surfing, jumping on guests, or getting overwhelmed when the house is full, you are not alone. The good news? With a little preparation before the big day, you can set your dog (and your sanity) up for success.
In this post, we’ll walk through:
Start Before the Turkey Comes Out
Thanksgiving is not the day to start training from scratch. Think of it as the “final exam” for your dog’s manners. Your practice happens now.
The Place Command
If you’ve followed us for any length of time, you already know how much we love the place command.
Place teaches your dog to:
Go to a specific bed/cot/mat
Lie down
Stay there until you release them
This is incredibly helpful for:
Meals
Guests arriving
Busy moments when you just need your dog out of the way but still in the room
Start practicing now by:
Putting your dog on their place during your own meals
Rewarding calm behavior on the bed
Slowly adding distractions (you standing up, walking, setting food on the table, etc.)
Short and simple is best:
2–3 sessions per day
10–15 minutes each
The Crate Is Not “Mean”
On Thanksgiving, it’s completely okay if your dog spends more time than usual in their crate.
The crate is:
A safe place for nervous dogs
A break for overstimulated dogs
A simple way to prevent bad habits (like stealing food and jumping on kids)
If your dog will be in a quieter room, you can make it extra cozy with:
A sound machine or gentle music
A stuffed Kong or chew
Their regular meal in a food puzzle
You’re not punishing your dog by crating them on a busy holiday. You’re actually protecting them.
Begging at the Table: What Do I Do?
Begging is one of the most common Thanksgiving complaints. The easiest way to handle it is to decide ahead of time where your dog will be during the meal.
Option 1: On “Place” Near the Table
If your dog has a solid place command, you can:
Put their bed or cot in the dining room, but away from the table
Send them to their place before everyone sits down
Expect them to stay there until you release them after the meal
A few important reminders:
Don’t feed your dog from the table
Don’t let well-meaning relatives sneak bites to your dog
Don’t invite them over for “just one” taste — it usually turns into a habit
Option 2: Crate During the Meal
If:
Your dog is new to the place command
You know you’ll be distracted
There are lots of kids or people who might drop food
…then the crate is the better choice during dinner. They can enjoy a stuffed Kong or a special chew while you eat in peace.
Counter Surfing & Food Stealing
Thanksgiving counters are a dog’s dream and your veterinarian’s business model.
If your dog already likes to “surf” counters, or you’re worried they’ll grab something dangerous:
Manage First, Train Second
Management ideas:
Crate your dog while food is being prepared
Use a leash to keep your dog near you and under control
Keep trash cans covered or behind closed doors
Training (done before Thanksgiving): If you’re using an e-collar and your dog already understands it:
Set up a “practice” scenario with food on a low counter
As your dog jumps up or reaches for it, apply the stim at a level they feel and care about
Release the button the moment all four paws are back on the ground
Repeat this in several short sessions
Over time, you’re teaching them that counter surfing “isn’t worth it.”
The same idea applies to grabbing food off coffee tables or sniffing around the trash — practice ahead of time, not when the turkey is already out.
Jumping, Door Dashing, and the Front Door Chaos
Holidays usually mean a lot more door activity than normal, which is where many dogs struggle.
Jumping on Guests
When guests walk in, dogs often:
Get excited
Rush the door
Jump up for attention
Tools that help:
Leash: Gives you physical control
Place: Gives your dog a job to do
E-collar: Acts like a “wireless leash” if you’ve already trained with it
You can:
Leash your dog before guests arrive
Have them on place as people come in
If they jump, use a quick, clear correction (leash pop or e-collar stim) and reset them
If you know you will be busy greeting family and juggling food?
It’s completely okay to crate your dog while guests arrive.
Bolting Out the Door
Teach door boundaries before the holiday:
Have your dog sit at the closed front door
Slowly crack the door open
If they try to move through, correct your dog with a leash pop or e-collar stim, close the door, and reset
Practice until your dog learns that they never go through the door until they’re released
On Thanksgiving Day:
Use the place or crate during high-traffic times
Don’t rely on “hope” to keep your dog from sneaking out
Nervous or Overstimulated Dogs
Not every dog is the life of the party. Some get nervous with:
New people
Loud noise
Crowded rooms
Kids running around
Here are a few ways to help them:
Let the Dog Choose
If your dog is nervous:
Ask guests to ignore the dog at first
Don’t lure them in with treats, baby voices, or lots of touching
Allow your dog to approach people on their own terms
This often leads to calmer, more confident greetings.
Use the Crate as a Retreat
If your dog:
Is pacing
Hiding under things
Barking nonstop
Or just seems “done”
Give them a break:
Crate them in a quiet room
Turn on a fan or music
Offer a chew, Kong, or lick mat
Even 20–30 minutes can help them reset.
Which Thanksgiving Foods Are Safe (and Not-Safe) for Dogs?
We put together a quick Thanksgiving Food Guide for Dogs — a simple visual you can have on hand as a quick reference for what’s okay (and what’s not) to sneak to your pup.
Safer Options (Plain, No Seasoning)
These should be:
Free of butter-heavy sauces, spices, and toppings
Given in moderation, ideally in their crate and not from the table
Examples:
Turkey meat (no skin, no bones)
Plain sweet potato
Plain green beans
Plain mashed potatoes (light on butter/salt)
Plain pumpkin
Apples without seeds
Peas
Small amounts of plain bread or rolls
Plain eggs
Foods to Avoid
Skip these completely:
Turkey skin
Cooked turkey bones
Stuffing
Gravy
Sweet potato casserole
Green bean casserole
Cranberry sauce
Mac and cheese
Desserts
Anything containing:
Onion
Garlic
Xylitol (in some sugar-free foods and gums)
Cooked turkey bones are especially dangerous because they can splinter and cause serious internal injury.
A Simple Thanksgiving Day Plan
Here’s a sample schedule you can follow or adapt:
Morning
Give your dog a structured walk (physical + mental exercise)
Do a short "place" practice session
Feed breakfast a little earlier than usual
Before Guests Arrive
Decide: “Meal time = crate” or “Meal time = place”
Set up the crate with a safe chew or stuffed Kong
Put your Safe vs Not-Safe Food printable where everyone can see it
While Guests Arrive
Dog on leash, on place, or in the crate
Ask guests to ignore the dog at first
Correct jumping or rude behavior early and consistently
During the Meal
Dog crated or on place (not roaming under the table)
No feeding from the table or “just one bite”
After the Meal
Take your dog out for a potty break
Let them calmly hang out with the family
If you’d like, give them a small, dog-safe “Thanksgiving plate” in their crate using foods from the safe list
Final Thoughts
Holidays can bring out the best and the worst in our dogs. The key is to remember that they’re not being “naughty” on purpose — they’re responding to a very exciting, very overwhelming environment.
With:
A little practice ahead of time
A clear plan for where your dog will be and when
And some simple boundaries around food and greetings
…you can absolutely enjoy Thanksgiving and your dog at the same time.
If you’re feeling stuck on place, crate work, or e-collar training and want more guidance, we’re always happy to help you put together a plan that fits your dog and your family.
Happy Thanksgiving (and happy training)! 🦃🐾
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