Training your dog to greet visitors isn’t only beneficial in your home, but it is also beneficial when your pet is outside.
When a person enters your doors, your dog tends to get agitated. However, some dogs will show a sign of anger towards visitors and would be in security mode.
Excited and angry dogs may cause physical harm. What’s more, they may also hurt their animals and damage your belongings like your clothes and even your house because of scratches.
Training your dog to greet your visitors politely can be performed in various ways. For example, you can offer your dog an area to lie or sit while waiting for your visitors to come in. What’s more, you can teach your pet to shake hands with your visitors before coming in. Actually, this offers your pet acknowledgment and attention without having the need to jump all over your visitors. While training your dog to greet visitors in the right way shows good actions, it will also build in the manner of your dog.
To help you in shaping your dog into a well-mannered and controlled pet, in this content we will show you some methods that you may want to take into consideration.
Contents
Methods on How to Train Your Dog to Greet Visitors
1. The Ignore Method
If you have a non-aggressive dog, then this method is for you. In fact, it is also ideal for canines that undergo basic obedience training.
Step 1
As the name implies, ignore your pet if it attempts to get your attention by barking or jumping.
Step 2
Next, inform your visitors not to pay attention and touch your dog until it calms down.
Step 3
Once your pet calms down, praise him/her. However, make sure that your guests will also do the same thing.
Step 4
Teach your canine to sit first before paying attention to it. When he/she knows how to do it on a signal, don’t forget to give some treats. Keep in mind that a dog wants to be noticed and it’ll yield to constant training.
If your dog obeys you, show some affection or offer it a treat. Make sure to do this repetitively until your dog gets into the habit.
2. The Leash Method
In this method, you will need a leash and most importantly a lot of patience. Moreover, this is ideal for canines that are touchy especially when people enter your door.
Step 1: Prepare a leash on your door
When a visitor rings your doorbell or knocks on your door, immediately leash your pet and tightly hold it.
Step 2: Perform the “STOP” Sign
Before opening the door, using your hands, use a “STOP” sign and say “WAIT” to your dog. You can do this constantly while opening the door.
Step 3: Welcome your visitors
If your dog tries to jump over and behave badly, don’t panic, instead, repeat the “STOP” sign and say “WAIT”.
Step 4: Give rewards
If your dog obediently responds to your commands, give it some rewards.
Step 5: Repeat the process
Every time you have guests, it is recommended that you repeat the entire process. This is very helpful so that your pet will get familiarize with the process ’til it no longer needs to use a leash.
3. Wait on the Mat Method
In this method, you will need a bed or mat and lots of treats. Nevertheless, here’s how to do the wait on the mat method.
- Once your visitors arrive or ring your doorbell, ask your pet to sit on a bed or mat. And of course, don’t forget to give him/her treats for following you.
- Lure your dog by holding a treat close to it and ask him/her to wait.
- Do not give the treat to your dog yet. You can utilize a hand gesture to keep it in place. If you want your dog to stay, simply raise your hand with your palm facing him/her.
- Once settled, open the door and then give the treat to your dog once the door is open.
- As you’re welcoming your visitors, wait for a few seconds and once again reward your pet for waiting.
- Repeat the process.
One of the best things about this method is that you will be able to practice it without visitors or doorbells. Teaching the wait command can help your canine stay calm each time you have guests.
Other Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Greet Guests
If none of the above-mentioned methods work for your pet, don’t lose hope because below we’ve compiled additional tips that are certain to help you.
1. Practice Your Dog Not to Jump on Your Lamp
As you may know, most pooches think that they can jump over anybody else since they can do it freely with their owners.
That being said, whenever you are arriving home or sitting on the sofa, make sure to stop your dog from jumping into you. Ignore your pet ’til it calms down. By simply doing it, your dog will figure out that jumping isn’t a good behavior. Do this repeatedly for better results.
2. Calm Down Your Dog
If someone knocks on your door or rings your doorbell and your pet begins to jumps because of excitement, make sure to say NO. If it stops then praise your dog by giving rewards.
On the other hand, make sure to ask your guests to keep on knocking or ringing your dog for you ’til your dog calms down.
Keep in mind that this tip is not beneficial for a guard dog. So if you have this kind of dog, obviously, this will not work for you.
3. Be Patient
Just like us humans, dogs are learning new things as well. Yes, success cannot be achieved with ease, but never give up.
When training your dog to greet people, don’t punish or get angry if it fails to do the things you want him/her to do. After all, you don’t want your dog to feel that you are not happy with him/her.
Remember that your main goal is to teach the dog how to greet visitors politely and not run in a corner every time people come to your home.
4. Invite a Visitor One at a Time
When a horde of unfamiliar people come to your home, your dog may be confused. In fact, this may result in too much excitement as well as aggression.
To avoid this from happening, it is a good idea to invite one visitor at a time. That way, you will be able to introduce to your pet the idea of having guests. Thus, if the dog behaves in the presence of one visitor, ask another one to escort the person on the next visit.
Conclusion
Training your dog how to greet visitors is not as difficult as you think. With a bit of research and knowledge, you will be able to teach your dog how to behave politely and nicely every time visitors arrive at your place.
But if you cannot really control the behavior of your dog when visitors arrive, you should seek help from professional trainers as they know how to solve bad behaviors, including anger and too much excitement.
