The Well Mannered Dog Guest

Most of us feel that our dogs are part of our family, which means where we go, they go. However, our dogs are not always completely welcome. While some of us have family and friends that consider their dogs family as well (my dogs all have grandparents), some relatives may be “putting up” with your dog because you insist that if they don’t come, you won’t either.

So how do you win these people over, especially if they are (gasp!) cat people by nature? The best way is to make sure your dog is the perfect house guest. It’s one thing to have people come and stay at your house and have your dog act like a star. But a new environment can cause some dogs to lose their cool.

Prepping

Before heading on your official visit, take your dog to other, friendlier houses, first. Getting your dog used to going to other people’s houses and behaving well is key.

Treat it as a training session! Bring your clicker and treats, and let the people know you are coming to train, not visit.

Are there behaviors you allow that your hosts won’t appreciate, like jumping on the couch for example? If you have time, you may want to put this on cue so your dog stays off the couch while visiting. If you don’t have time, come up with your plan on how to manage your dog to avoid him getting into trouble while he is a guest.

Establish the Rules

Get these straight before you visit. For example, tell them that when they answer the door your dog needs to be sitting there patiently and calmly before they speak to them or pet them.  If you have an over-excited dog that is likely to burst by them and fly into the house, make sure you are stepping on the leash to prevent that. Explain to them that if your dog does jump or rush toward the door, they need to say nothing and just shut it, wait until your dog is calm, and try again.

If your dog can’t behave at the door, he probably won’t behave inside.

Once inside, keep your dog on leash until she is settled.

You dog is going to want to sniff – everything. If you haven’t worked on not sniffing unless given permission (such as a “go sniff” cue), then you may have to walk around with your dog and let them check everything out. Keeping them on leash for this part will ensure they are no accidents – marking, chewing, knocking something over, etc.

Let everyone in the house know your dog’s cues and what they are or are not allowed to do. A good way is to bring a list with you to put on the fridge so it’s handy in case people forget.

Give everyone treats and have them cue your dog (in turns) to do some simple tricks. This will establish a relationship with each person and make your dog more likely to listen to them.

Watch for Stress

For some dogs, stress and anxiety of being away from home can cause them to become bad house guests. Destructive behaviors, fear biting, hiding, and even going to the bathroom in the house can all be caused by stress.

If you have a stressful dog, come prepared. Things to bring:

• Their personal kennel and blanket from home
• Anxiety Wrap
• Essential oils like Lavender
• Soothing sounds CD (There are ones made for dogs)
• Chew bones

If your dog is very nervous around new people or surroundings, talk to your vet or certified dog trainer for more information on how to help your dog with his specific needs.

Keeping this type of dog in their kennel or on leash can help prevent potty accidents or destructive behavior. However, do not keep a dog that is leash reactive or guards you on leash, as this may make the situation worse.

Be Respectful

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is that you need to respectful of your hosts. It may be hard to understand that they don’t see your best friend as anything more than a drooling, hairy beast that is shedding all over their Persian rug. However, your stay will be more enjoyable if you respect their home and abide by their rules, just as you ask them to obey your rules regarding your dog when they visit you.

• Ask if there are any rooms or areas your dog should not go into.
• If they have pets, make sure your dog is not harassing them.
• If someone in the house has allergies, try to keep your dog off of things they use, like their bed and sitting area.
• Don’t just leave your dog and expect them to watch him. Ask first and do not be offend or hurt if they decline.

Above all, remember that these people are your family and/or friends and you love them just as much as you love your dog. Regardless of what happens, staying calm and seeing both sides of any issues will help things go smoothly. Follow this advice, and next time the invitation might just be addressed to Fido.

 

About the Author

Based in Wilsonville, Ore., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She is the founder of A Fairytail House, a unique all-positive all-sport dog training facility that helps rescue dogs in her area and provides free seminars and training classes for the community. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.