Christmas in July: Train Now. Enjoy the Holidays Later.

Six months from now your dog could be calmly greeting guests, relaxing around the Christmas tree, and becoming the dog you've always wanted. It starts today.

Why July?

When most people think about dog training, they wait until there’s a problem they can’t ignore or the holidays are only a few weeks away. Unfortunately, that’s often too late to build the reliable behaviors that make family gatherings enjoyable. Great dogs aren’t created overnight. They become confident, well-mannered companions through consistent training and practice over time.

By starting in July, you’ll have months to prepare your dog for everything the holiday season brings, from guests and parties to travel, decorations, and the excitement of a busy home. Instead of managing unwanted behaviors in December, you’ll be enjoying the company of a dog that knows exactly what’s expected.

Is Your Dog Ready for Christmas?

Answer six quick questions.

  • Does your dog jump on visitors?
  • Pull on the leash?
  • Bark when guests arrive?
  • Counter surf?
  • Ignore recalls?
  • Get overly excited around children?

🎄 Give Your Dog the Gift of Time

The best holiday memories begin with preparation. Start training now, and by the time Thanksgiving and Christmas arrive, you’ll have a dog that’s ready to welcome guests, travel with confidence, and enjoy the celebrations right alongside your family.

Holiday training spots fill quickly each fall. Reserve yours today and get ahead of the holiday rush.

Holiday Timeline

July
Start training

↓

August
Build reliable obedience

↓

September
Practice around distractions

↓

October
Public outings and guests

↓

November
Thanksgiving confidence

↓

December
Enjoy your dog

 

See Which Program Fits My Family

Helpful Articles

 

  1. Christmas in July: Why July Is the Best Time to Start Training Your Dog for the Holidays
  2. Why Dogs Behave Differently When Family Visits
  3. The Six-Month Holiday Training Timeline
  4. Fireworks Are Over. What’s Next for Your Dog?
  5. The Biggest Mistakes Busy Families Make When Raising a Puppy
  6. Can You Train a Dog Before Christmas? Here’s the Truth
  7. Why Your Dog Doesn’t Listen at Home (But Does Somewhere Else)
  8. What Every Working Professional Should Know About Dog Training
  9. Is Board and Train Right for Your Family?
  10. Five Skills Every Family Dog Should Know Before the Holidays
  11. Why Your Dog Jumps on Guests (and How to Stop It)
  12. Preparing Your Dog for Thanksgiving Visitors Starts Now
  13. How Dogs Learn: Understanding Reinforcement and Timing
  14. Why Exercise Alone Won’t Fix Behavior Problems
  15. Mid-Year Behavior Checkup: Is Your Dog Where They Should Be?
  16. Can Older Dogs Still Learn New Tricks? Absolutely.
  17. The Hidden Cost of Waiting Too Long to Train Your Dog
  18. Crate Training Isn’t Punishment. Here’s Why.
  19. What Your Dog’s Body Language Is Trying to Tell You
  20. How to Raise a Calm Dog in a Busy Household
  21. Why Recall Is the Most Important Command You’ll Ever Teach
  22. Loose Leash Walking: The Skill Every Dog Owner Wants
  23. What Happens During a Professional Dog Training Evaluation?
  24. Kids and Dogs: Building Better Relationships Through Training
  25. Why Consistency Beats Perfection Every Time
  26. Holiday Travel with Dogs Starts with Training at Home
  27. The Truth About “Stubborn” Dogs
  28. How Much Training Does Your Dog Actually Need?
  29. The Alaska Dog Works Approach: Why We Train Families, Not Just Dogs
  30. Five Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Dog Trainer
  31. Christmas Is Only Five Months Away. Is Your Dog Ready?

 

Not sure where to start?

Read the articles or let us help you build a training plan.

Schedule an Evaluation

What an Alaska Familiy Says

When we rescued our male Newfoundland at 4 years old he was pretty used to doing what he wanted. Michele worked with us at our home before he went to her home for 'boot camp.' Thank you Michele!
Paula Pawlowski
Argo

Meet Some Graduates

Why Alaska Dog Works?

We Don’t Just Train Dogs. We Help Families Build Better Relationships.

At Alaska Dog Works, we believe dog training is about far more than teaching commands. It’s about building a relationship based on trust, communication, consistency, and leadership. A well-trained dog isn’t one that simply follows cues during a lesson. A well-trained dog understands what is expected at home, in public, around guests, and during everyday life.

That’s why our programs are designed with the entire family in mind. Dogs don’t live in training facilities. They live with you. They share your home, your routines, your adventures, and your holidays. Our goal is to give you the knowledge and confidence to lead your dog long after the formal training program is complete.

We also know that every dog is unique. Age, breed, temperament, history, and family lifestyle all play an important role in creating a successful training plan. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, we begin with a personalized evaluation to understand your goals and recommend the program that best fits your needs.

Whether your goal is raising a well-mannered puppy, preparing your dog for busy holiday gatherings, improving everyday obedience, or addressing unwanted behaviors, our focus remains the same: creating lasting results that strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

The holidays are just one milestone along that journey. The habits you build today will benefit your family for years to come.

Every Dog Is Different

That’s why every family begins with a personalized evaluation.

We’ll meet your dog, discuss your goals, and recommend the program that’s right for your lifestyle.

Imagine Christmas This Year…

Instead of apologizing for your dog’s behavior…

Imagine opening the front door to family and friends with complete confidence.

Imagine enjoying dinner without begging.

Imagine relaxing while your dog settles quietly nearby.

Imagine finishing the holidays thinking,

“I’m so glad we started in July.” 

~Katie D. 

 

Your Holiday Readiness Score

0–2: You’re in great shape.

3–4: Your dog could benefit from a tune-up before the holidays.

5–6: Now is the ideal time to begin training so you’re ready well before Thanksgiving.

Schedule Your Christmas in July Evaluation

Holiday training spots fill quickly every year. Reserve yours today.