Season's Greetings from TheBarkBlog: A Festive Woof to Our Wonderful Community!

December 23, 2025
Lifestyle
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Can you believe we’ve reached the tail-end of the year already?

As the frost settles over the UK and the smell of roast dinners begin to waft through our homes, I wanted to take a "paws" here at TheBarkBlog to say a massive thank you to everyone who reads this blog.

Whether you’ve been with us since our first post or you’ve just joined the pack recently, we are so grateful to have you as part of our reactive dog-loving community.

A Year of Wagging Tails

It’s been an incredible year of sharing training tips, reviewing some of my favourite reactive dog tools, and researching medications for reactive dogs and the neurological side of things. I've had some really lovely messages from readers over the year and seeing how much you care for your four-legged best friends is exactly why I started TheBarkBlog.

Photograph of a Shiba Inu and Saint Bernard sitting on a tiled deck in the sunshine, looking at the camera.
Jess and Kaishi in their new home!

Quick Tips for a Dog-Friendly Christmas

While we’re all busy unwrapping presents and devouring mince pies (no, just me?), don't forget that Christmas can be a bit overwhelming for our dogs.

To keep those tails wagging through Boxing Day, here are three quick reminders:

  1. Watch the Treats
    Keep the chocolate, raisins, and onions (standard festive fare) well out of reach of your dogs. A bit of plain, cooked turkey is a much better festive snack for your pup.
  2. Quiet Zones
    If the house gets a bit noisy with crackers, carols, and guests, make sure your pup has a "safe space" in a quiet room where they can retreat for some relaxation and a nap.
  3. Winter Walks
    If you're lucky enough to get a white Christmas in your part of the world, remember to wipe those paws after a walk. The grit and salt on UK roads can be irritating for sensitive pads. Please also ensure that your pup is up-to-date with their vaccines, as leptospirosis thrives in wet and muddy environments (although less common in winter, it's still around!)
A Shiba Inu laying in his green bed, colour-coordinated with the room.

What’s Next for TheBarkBlog?

We've just made a big move internationally, so we’re taking a few days to enjoy some sofa cuddles and extra treats, but we’ve got some "fetching" new content coming your way in 2026.

Expect more deep dives into dog health, the best pet-friendly stays in the UK (since we're having to Airbnb it now!), and gear reviews that actually help.

From our pack to yours, have a very festive holiday season and a wonderful, walkies-filled New Year.

Warmest barks,

Freya at TheBarkBlog

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Huge thank you for the beautiful cover photograph, provided by Alvan Nee who is available for hire on Unsplash.

Meet the Author
Hi, I’m Freya. I’ve shared my life with working breed dogs for over 15 years, but my current journey with my reactive Saint Bernard, Jess, has been my steepest learning curve yet. Managing 65kg of reactivity requires more than just treats. It requires a deep understanding of dog psychology, immense patience, and a constant eye on safety. By day, I work as a corporate lawyer, but my heart is in the outdoors and nature. I created TheBarkBlog to bridge the gap between technical training advice and the lived reality of navigating the UK countryside with a reactive "giant." My goal is to combine my professional eye for detail with my personal experience to help you and your dog live a calmer, more confident life together.

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