Training Your Dog to Greet Guests Politely

March 17, 2017

Greeting visitorsGolden and Lakewood residents love their dogs and they want their guests to love them too. This is difficult to achieve when the pet mauls people (even lovingly) at the door every time they arrive or pesters them endlessly during the visit. It is not just an annoying behavior but can be dangerous as well. A large dog has the ability to knock down and injure children and adults alike. Proper training is needed to stop overaggressive greeters and it takes time and patience to put it into practice.

Establish Consistent Rules

Training a dog requires consistency. Behavior that is unacceptable should be corrected whenever it is displayed. This includes when they greet their people, old friends or someone unknown. Teaching a dog to sit and stay before answering the door and to remain sitting if they wish to be petted are some of the ways dog trainers suggest handling the situation. Some guests may enjoy roughhousing with a dog, but their actions will suggest to the dog that every guest is a potential playmate. Ask guests to follow the house rules to prevent the need for reprimanding the dog.

Exercise Active Dogs

The inability of a dog to follow basic commands is often due to an abundance of energy. Ensuring the pet gets an adequate amount of play time every day will reduce their hyper tendencies and make it easier for them to concentrate. Many dogs will run, jump or otherwise pester people just because they are not getting enough exercise. It is difficult for some pet owners to give their dog the time they need to burn off some steam when they are forced to spend the majority of their day at work. A dog daycare is an affordable service that will end any guilt for the humans and prevent the pet from developing separation anxiety. During their time at the daycare, the dog will learn to socialize with other animals and people and have an enriching experience rather than spending the day napping in their kennel or on the sofa while their family is away.

Be the Leader

Dogs must see their owners as the leader in the home before they will listen to their commands. It is not easy for every pet owner to immediately take on this role. Many dogs have the ability to manipulate their humans with their sad eyes and fluffy fur. This is why professional dog training courses are so useful for pets and their owners. Obedience courses teach people how to gain and keep the attention of their dog and encourage them to follow instructions. Taking the course helps people to understand that being a leader is about developing a connection with their pet that will help to improve their lives and keep them safe. Good training courses also help owners to learn how to communicate more effectively with their pet so they understand what is being requested.

Create Some Distance

There are times when separating the pets from the people is the only acceptable solution. This may be because a guest has pet allergies, the pet is just not listening to commands or because there are too many guests or they will be staying for a long period of time. When this occurs there are only a couple of possible options. The pet must be contained in a room or kennel away from the guests or taken away from the home and to a “>dog boarding facility. If the visit will last for more than a few hours consider the option of a dog daycare and use dog boarding services for overnight guest visits. The dog will be more comfortable during the event and they will have the opportunity to socialize and have fun while their owners are doing the same.

Dog training takes time, consistency and a lot of patience. Starting the lessons when they are still puppies helps to prevent the development of bad habits. Of course, even old dogs have the ability to learn how to follow house rules when they are given the opportunity. Golden and Lakewood pet owners do have options and assistance available to them to help with all of these concerns. Pet Peeves offers dog boarding and dog training at their comfortable kennel. There is also an exceptional dog daycare at the same site that includes playgroups, professional supervision and comfortable napping areas. The facility accepts dogs of all ages as well as special needs pets. Success is possible with any pet by combining these services along with daily training at home. With a little effort, every pet owner will have the confidence to welcome people into their home and have the joy of a pet that is appreciated and loved by everyone.