BOCA RATON, Fla. - s4story -- In most of the country, the holidays happen indoors. In Boca Raton, they happen on the patio, by the pool, and with the sliding door open all afternoon. That changes what dog owners need to watch for, says Dillon Mitchell, founder and head trainer of Full Potential K9.
"Up north, people worry about dogs and the cold. Here, the biggest risk I see is the open door," Mitchell said. "Guests come and go, kids run in from the pool, and a dog that never bolts is suddenly out the door and headed for a busy road."
Mitchell, who founded Full Potential K9 in Boca Raton in 2019, offers these tips for South Florida families hosting this season.
Pick one door for guests. When visitors use the front door, the garage, and the back slider all at once, nobody knows which one is open. Choosing one entry, and asking guests to use it, makes it far easier to keep track of your dog.
Give your dog a job at the door. A dog that has learned to go to a mat or bed when the doorbell rings is much safer than one that greets every arrival. Mitchell suggests practicing with a family member ringing the bell a few times a day in the weeks before Thanksgiving, so the routine is solid before the crowd arrives.

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Give your dog a quiet break. A crate or a back bedroom with water and a chew gives your dog somewhere to rest when the party gets loud, and it keeps them away from the door while guests are arriving and leaving.
Plan ahead for New Year's Eve. Fireworks in South Florida often start days before Jan. 1 and run late. Mitchell recommends a walk before dark, a quiet interior room with the TV or music on, and a double check that collars and ID tags are current.
If your dog already struggles with visitors or loud noises, now is the time to start working on it, not the week of the party. Waiting makes it harder, because the holidays add more people and more noise every week.
About Full Potential K9
Founded in 2019 by head trainer Dillon Mitchell, Full Potential K9 is a dog and puppy training company in Boca Raton, Florida. Mitchell leads a team of seven and has personally trained more than 1,000 dogs. Full Potential K9 offers Board and Train, Day Training, Raise and Train, Private Lessons, and invitation-only graduate programs. Learn more at fullpotentialk9.com.
Link: https://fullpotentialk9.com/news/holiday-bolting-safety-tips-2026/