While dogs are man’s best friend, that does not necessarily work out when you have guests over. Unless your dog has been socialized, they are going to regard your guests as strangers; not all dogs react to strangers in the same way. Some dogs consider strangers to be trespassers and worthy of aggression, others may be perfectly happy with the extra sources for table scraps, and some may be so skittish that they hide. This guide exists to encourage harmonious interactions between your dogs and guests.
Know Your Dog
The first thing you must consider is your dog’s level of socialization. The younger a dog learns about proper behavior around guests, the better. If your dog is known to have issues with strangers, acclimatize them with walks through busy areas, dog parks, daycare trips, etc. The more that your dog accepts unfamiliar people, the less chaos you can expect while entertaining guests.
Advice for You
Train Your Dog to Understand and Use a Safe Space
Designate a space for your dog’s safety; encourage this understanding by rewarding the dog whenever they go to that area and remain within it until commanded otherwise. By training your dog to go to safety, you can redirect them out of your guests’ way. This is especially important if your dog seems stressed or uncomfortable. Even a friendly dog can become aggressive or bite when they feel stressed. If your dog does bite a guest, you could be liable for any damages including medical bills and pain and suffering. So it is important to recognize if your dog seems stressed and provide them with a safe space away from others.
Reinforce Commands
Training a dog by command requires constant reinforcement. Focus on firm commands like “down,” “stay,” “heel,” and “no.” By using these commands, you can keep your dog from losing control around your guests.
Keep Them Leashed
A short-range leash can reaffirm the dog’s understanding that now is a time for good behavior and also restrict how far the dog can go. Keep this leash close to your main door and get your dog accustomed to being leashed whenever someone knocks or rings your doorbell.
Greet Your Guests Outside of the House
If your dog is very firm on territory, greeting your guests in a neutral space like your front yard or lobby may work. This gives your guests time to enter the property and settle in before you and your dog join them. Since the guest is already “inside the compound,” your dog may be easier to rein in.
Be Confident
Dogs pick up on your mood; if you seem happy with someone, your dog will assume that the person is friendly. Hugging or handshaking during the greeting can also help as it rubs some of your familiar scent onto the guest.
Introduce the Guest to Your Dog
Because dogs identify by scent, allow them to sniff each guest. Feel free to bring the guest’s hand to their nose to affirm to the dog that they are meeting a new friend. You might also consider a brief walk with your dog and guests.
Treat Your Dog
Always reward desired behaviors with kindness, physical attention, and/or a treat.
Advice for Guests
- Inform them about your dog’s quirks and commands, especially if you are still training.
- If your dog has certain sensory triggers inform your guests ahead of time so that they can avoid an issue.
- Have them reward canine obedience with treats; your dog will learn that “good behavior is rewarded by all visitors.” Keep some of the “good treats” near where you greet guests to create an association between guests and treats.
While it can be mortifying to own a dog who reacts poorly to visitors, a proper, consistent training regimen and repeated efforts at socialization can turn most canines into creatures that your guests will cherish as much as your hospitality.
