Teaching Your Dog To Be Calm Around Guests

Teaching Your Dog to Be Calm Around Guests

As pet owners, we all love having our furry friends around us. However, sometimes our dogs can get overly excited when we have guests over, which could lead to their jumping all over our guests or barking excessively. As a result, it’s essential to train our dogs to be calm and well-behaved when we have guests around. Here are some tips on how to teach your dog to be calm around guests.

1. Socialize Your Dog Early

Socializing your dog at a young age is essential to their development. It helps them become familiar with different people, places, and other dogs. This exposure will help them stay calm and relaxed in the presence of new people. You can start socializing your dog as early as 3 weeks old and continue until they’re 16 weeks old.

2. Reward Good Behavior

Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement. Whenever your dog behaves well around guests, reward them with treats or praise. This positive reinforcement will help them associate good behavior with rewards and encourage them to behave in the same way in the future.

3. Train Them to Stay Calm

Training your dog to stay calm requires patience and consistency. Start by training them to sit or lie down on command. Use treats as a reward and repeat the command until they respond correctly. Once they’ve mastered this, start adding distractions such as knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell. This way, they’ll learn to stay calm in the presence of guests.

4. Create a Safe Space

Dogs feel safe and secure in familiar surroundings. Create a space in your home where your dog can retreat to when they’re feeling overwhelmed. This could be a crate or a designated area with their bed and toys. Make sure your guests know not to disturb your dog when they’re in this space.

5. Teach Them Not to Jump

Jumping is a common behavior that dogs exhibit when they’re excited or anxious. To teach your dog not to jump, start by turning your back on them when they jump. This will show them that jumping will not get them the attention they want. When they stop jumping, turn around and reward them with treats or praise.

6. Exercise Your Dog Before Guests Arrive

A tired dog is a calm dog. Exercise your dog before your guests arrive to help them release any excess energy. A walk or playtime in the backyard will help tire them out and make them more relaxed when your guests arrive.

7. Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is an effective way to train your dog to be calm around guests. Reward them every time they exhibit good behavior, such as sitting calmly or greeting guests without jumping. This positive reinforcement will help them associate good behavior with rewards and encourage them to behave in the same way in the future.

Conclusion

Teaching your dog to be calm around guests requires patience and consistency. Socializing them at a young age and rewarding good behavior are essential in helping them stay relaxed around new people. Training them to stay calm, creating a safe space, and teaching them not to jump are other effective ways to help your dog behave well around guests. Remember to exercise your dog before guests arrive and use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. With these tips, your furry friend will be a joy to have around your guests.