After receiving an exciting new job opportunity at a cutting edge Pet Invention company, Robert, his teenage daughter Jenna and their trusty and special border collie Charlie (Jerry O’Connell) make the move to the new neighbourhood, right before Christmas. Upon arriving, Robert meets his gorgeous next door neighbour Holly, and her sassy and spunky border collie Gidget (Jennifer Love Hewitt). Before the sparks can fly, they are set upon my Robert's conniving and obnoxious next door neighbour and project manager Victor (Dolph Lundgren), his neighourhood bully bulldog “Vinnie P” and the sycophantic sidekick Chihuahua “Jose” (Rob Schneider). Victor discovers Roberts latest invention, a dog collar that translates canine thoughts into words. Victor hires two inept thieves Benny (Nicholas Turturro) and Lenny to steal the invention while everyone is away at the company holiday ski trip. The neighbourhood dogs catch wind of the plan, and join forces to use Robert's many inventions to set up a literal house of house horrors for the would be robbers. Will Charlie, Gidget and the rest of the neighbourhood gang be able to save the day and Christmas?!