A new-in-town music teacher under pressure to put on the perfect Christmas concert and a single dad chemist who has sworn off love are forced to attend obedience classes when their terriers stir up trouble during the holidays.

SYNOPSIS:

Kendra, a high school music teacher and caretaker for her mother, is new to the Rosemont Heights neighborhood after ending her engagement. She’s not looking for love, but her mother Joy reminds her that fate always finds a way. Kendra is stressed because she only has a few weeks to rehearse for the school’s holiday concert, and while the principal demands perfection, her students are less motivated. While walking her mom’s dog Birdie she meets Nathan, a scientist, inventor, and single dad who likes to bend the rules. Nathan’s dog escapes his leash to meet Birdie, and the two dogs run into the HOA president causing him to fall. Kendra and Nathan have a war of words, and they blame each other. The neighborhood has a strict leash policy, so the HOA president gives them two options: enroll their dogs in obedience training or leave the neighborhood.

In obedience class they get to know one another and strike up a friendship. Nathan’s wife left three years ago and although his friend tries to set him up at a Hanukkah party, Nathan is not interested. Kendra hides the HOA’s letter and the classes from Joy. She doesn’t want to burden her mother, who already has a lot to manage with her Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. Joy is suspicious when she says “sit” and Birdie immediately sits on command. Not one to tell lies, Kendra feels the pressure increasing to keep up her ruse. Nathan has a fire in his basement lab when he tests his latest invention. He needs someone to watch his son Max and calls Kendra, who takes Max sledding while Nathan sorts things out with the fire department. As a thank you, Nathan invites Kendra and Joy for dinner and they all decorate the Christmas tree. Max lets the cat out of the bag about the obedience classes, and Joy is furious that Kendra kept the HOA’s threats from her. They leave Nathan’s house angry at one another and argue at home. Nathan brings dessert as a peace offering and finds Kendra on the front porch. Kendra confides in him and they kiss. When Joy is injured at physical therapy, she's admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital with a strict no dogs policy. Kendra enlists Nathan and Max's help on a daring raid to sneak Birdie past the staff and into Joy's room, delighting her. She and Kendra make up.

The terriers attend their last obedience class and graduate. The HOA president threatens Nathan with eviction over the chemistry lab in his basement. With the help of his lawyer friend and Kendra, Nathan has a boardroom showdown with the HOA. After their victory, Nathan and Max attend the holiday concert. Kendra’s hard work has paid off and the choir puts on a stellar performance. Afterward, Nathan walks Kendra to her car and they kiss. They marvel that fate—in the form of two scruffy terriers—has brought them together.