How To Train A Dog To Greet Guests
I've been to other's houses and not been attacked by their dogs the minute I enter the door, so I know it is possible to train your dog to greet visitors nicely.
But how?
After researching several different training options, here are the steps I used to finally teach my dogs not to jump all over our guests.
Check them out and give them a try with your pup!
1. DESENSITIZE TO KNOCKING OR THE DOORBELL.
For my dogs, the craziness starts with the doorbell ringing. Even hearing one on the TV gets them all wound up!
I’m betting it’s the same way in your home, right?
You can either train your dog to stop reacting, or train your family to stop ringing the bell!
Honestly, dogs are a whole lot easier to train than people.
Don’t believe me? Stick a “please don’t ring the bell” sign on your door and see how many people blatantly ignore it!
Try these steps for desensitizing your dog to the doorbell:
• Put your dog on the leash, and ask a friend or family member to go outside and ring the doorbell or knock.
• Hold the leash tightly and say “no bark” as your dog starts barking after hearing the bell. Once your dog calms down, have him sit, and give him a treat and praise.
• Keep up this routine until he’s mastered not pulling on the leash and barking (don’t expect success in one training session – this will take some time!).
• Next, teach the same behavior with the same process when he’s off the leash.
2. TEACH HIM HOW AND WHERE TO SIT.
This one starts with you leaving the house and returning home.
Unless your dog goes nuts every time you walk out the front door, you’ll actually need to go somewhere for about half an hour to an hour.
Try these three steps to train your dog to sit nicely by the door:
• When you first come in the door, ignore your dog until she stops jumping. I know this can be hard, especially if you have an emphatic jumper who is just SO happy to see you! Ignoring is crucial, though!
• Once your pup gives up on trying to get your attention the crazy way, show her where to sit near the door and give her treats.
• Keep up this training until she sits in her spot from the moment you walk in the door. Lots of treats and praise will help!
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WHO IS ADRIENNE FARRICELLI?
Adrienne Farricelli is a professional dog trainer certified by the CCPDT. Her work has appeared in notable publications such as USA Today, Everydog Magazine, and the APDT Chronicle of the Dog.
3. NOW IT’S TIME TO PRACTICE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
Start with just one person!
Ask a friend who loves dogs (and doesn’t mind jumpers) to come help you. Prepare him or her to ignore your dog just as you did in the previous step until he’s sitting nicely.
Then, have your friend give treats and praise. Stay with your dog and require him to stay in his sitting spot while your friend goes in the other room.
Dismiss your dog to go visit with your friend a moment, then continue with your visit; your dog shouldn’t be made the center of attention.
In subsequent visits, slowly start working toward you being able to leave and go to the other room without your dog following. Call his name when it’s time for him to join you.
4. SLOWLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF GUESTS.
Once your dog has mastered all of the above steps, move on to small groups. Again, choose people who love dogs!
Just follow the same process as in step 3 until your dog learns how to act around groups of people.
5. BE PATIENT.
More importantly, don’t get angry at your dog or punish him. You don’t want him to feel like you’re not happy to see him.
The idea is to get him to greet visitors nicely, not run in fear and cower in a corner every time you come home!
Make sure to come back and tell us how the training is working for you and your dog! The best way to learn is together, after all!
DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER TIPS ON HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DOGS TO GREET VISITORS NICELY? SHARE BELOW!
Now that you have gone through How To Train A Dog To Greet Guests, you are now ready for advance Brain Training For Dogs. We would love to see you there!
WHO IS ADRIENNE FARRICELLI?
Adrienne Farricelli is a professional dog trainer certified by the CCPDT. Her work has appeared in notable publications such as USA Today, Everydog Magazine, and the APDT Chronicle of the Dog.
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