The Humane Society Silicon Valley will run a two-week Holiday Manners intensive for dog owners in Milpitas, meeting Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 from 11 to 11:50 a.m. at its outdoor dog training yard at 901 Ames Ave.

The short-format course is designed to help owners prepare pets for visitors and seasonal activity, focusing on practical cues that reduce common holiday problems. This is especially important since common holiday-season dog behavior issues often include stress- or anxiety-related behaviors such as excessive barking, restlessness, and even destructive chewing, typically triggered by loud gatherings and unfamiliar guests. The sessions will be held outdoors in the organization’s training yard and are described as an intensive, two-week class that emphasizes behaviors relevant to gatherings and food in the home.

The event listing from the Humane Society Silicon Valley describes the course this way: “Join us for our Holiday Manners intensive class! Meeting for two weeks, in person, this class will emphasize the important holiday behaviors of Leave it, Drop it…” The listing makes clear the sessions concentrate on those specific cues and other visitor-related manners; the full event entry is available on the Humane Society’s site.

The Holiday Manners mini class follows a beginning-level session that starts Dec. 13 at 3:30 p.m., giving owners a nearby option to begin or refresh basic skills before the holiday-focused intensive. This foundational class may help dog owners establish consistent routines which are crucial in minimizing disruptions during the holidays, as changes in routine can lead to anxiety in dogs. Both offerings take place at the organization’s Milpitas facility, on the same training grounds where instructors work with dogs on leash and in real-world settings.

Organizers say the Holiday Manners course will address behaviors trainers commonly see during gatherings: teaching dogs not to jump on visitors and preventing them from grabbing items from the table. To prepare for such interactions throughout the year, dog owners can use positive reinforcement and manage the environment using leashes or barriers. The sessions are intended to put those skills into short, repeatable exercises owners can practice at home, with instruction conducted outdoors at the 901 Ames Ave training yard.

Owners who want to enroll can find the event details and registration information on the Humane Society Silicon Valley event page, which lists dates and times for the two-session Holiday Manners mini class.

Beyond the Holiday Manners dates, the organization’s December calendar includes the beginning-level class that opens Dec. 13 at 3:30 p.m., giving local owners multiple, closely timed options to work on manners before the busiest weeks of the season. It’s noteworthy that, despite the benefits of training, only a small minority of dog owners, about 8%, seek formal, professional training for their pets, according to the American Kennel Club.

In sum, Humane Society Silicon Valley is positioning the Holiday Manners intensive as a concentrated, practical option for dog owners aiming to reduce common visitor- and food-related problems during holiday gatherings. The class meets in person on two Sundays, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, and is held in Humane Society Silicon Valley’s outdoor training yard in Milpitas.

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Original reporting: view the original article.