Guides

Dogs and Christmas Trees: How Owners Keep Both Safe

Updated October 10, 2026 · 5 min read

Every December, dog groups fill up with the same question: how do you keep your dog away from the tree? We read the replies on two big threads - one from a worried owner of a 5-month-old puppy who "chews on everything", and a "how do you keep your dogs from messing with the tree?" post that got close to 90 comments. The answers were practical, creative, and often very funny.

Why dogs love the tree

From your dog's point of view, a tree just appeared indoors. It smells like the outside, it's covered in shiny toys that dangle and swing, and there are boxes underneath. Puppies want to chew it. Some dogs want to play with it. And some, as one owner put it, think "great, I've got my own indoor plumbing".

The good news: plenty of owners said their dogs ignore the tree completely. One owner's 16-year-old dog just likes to lie under it.

Idea #1: put a fence around it

This was the number one answer, by far:

• A baby gate or exercise pen around the tree.
• A homemade "present fence" - one family cut up cardboard boxes, wrapped them in Christmas paper and taped them so they fold. It looks like a wall of gifts, and it works.
• Close the door - one owner keeps the tree in a room with the door shut.

And the photo in that post? A tree guarded by a ring of vacuum cleaners. Owners with vacuum-scared dogs said it would work. Owners whose dogs attack the vacuum said... not so much.

Idea #2: start small in the puppy year

One family took a clever approach the year their puppy was 8 months old: they put up only the tree topper. The puppy didn't touch anything - not the presents, not the stockings - so the next year they went for the full tree. A small tabletop tree is another way to test the waters in the first year.

Keep them busy while you decorate

KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy

4.6 out of 5 from 93,604 reviews

Stuff it with your dog's food, freeze it, and hand it over while you put up the tree. A busy dog is a dog who isn't pulling at the lights.

See it on Amazon - KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy (opens in a new tab)

Idea #3: keep the bottom of the tree boring

If it's at nose height, it's fair game. Owners suggested:

• No glass or breakable ornaments on the lower branches - use unbreakable ones, or none.
• No tinsel, ribbons or edible ornaments within reach.
• No gifts with food inside under the tree (dogs can smell chocolate through wrapping paper).
• Tuck the light cables away so they can't be chewed.

Idea #4: supervise, and teach "leave it"

Owners told us two habits made the difference: never leaving the dog alone with the tree at first, and practicing "leave it" - rewarding the dog for walking away. For dogs who see the tree as something new to mark, supervision and a quick trip outside help, and cleaning any spot well keeps the smell from inviting a repeat.

Idea #5: give them their own tree to play with

A busy dog is a dog who isn't pulling at the lights. Owners hand over a frozen food toy while they decorate, or a puzzle toy for the evening. And one owner had a funny alternative plan: tell the dog there will be no presents unless they leave the tree alone. (Results not guaranteed.)

A 'present' that's theirs to unpack

Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel

4.6 out of 5 from 52,459 reviews

Squirrels hidden in a plush tree trunk - your dog gets to pull things out of a tree without touching yours. Pick the size for your dog.

See it on Amazon - Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel (opens in a new tab)

The short version

Fence the tree (a "present fence" counts), start small with a puppy, keep the bottom branches boring, never leave your dog alone with the tree, and give them something better to do. Then enjoy the holidays - with the tree still standing.