Welcoming guests into your home is exciting, but when your puppy gets overly excited — jumping, barking, or zooming — it can quickly become stressful. Teaching your puppy to greet guests calmly not only impresses your visitors but also helps your pup build polite social habits early on.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to making guest greetings peaceful and positive for everyone involved! 🏡🐶
Start With Calm Behavior at Home 🛋️
Before training with guests, begin by teaching your puppy to stay calm when people move around your home. Use simple commands like “sit”, “stay”, and “place” to help your pup learn to wait patiently. Practice these in short daily sessions using treats or toys as rewards.
Practice With Family Members First 👨👩👧
Have people your puppy already knows (like family or roommates) pretend to arrive home. Ask them to enter calmly, ignore the puppy if it jumps or barks, and only give attention when your puppy sits or stays still. Repeating this will help your pup understand what behavior gets rewarded.
Set Up Controlled Guest Greetings 🚪
Once your puppy can stay calm around familiar people, invite one calm friend over for practice. Keep your puppy on a leash and ask them to “sit” before the guest enters. If your pup jumps or gets excited, ask the guest to pause or turn away. When your puppy sits or waits calmly, let the guest offer a treat or gentle pet.
Teach the “Go to Place” Command 🛏️
Choose a comfy spot like a dog bed near the door and train your pup to go there when someone knocks or rings the bell. Use a cue like “place” or “mat”, and reward your puppy when they stay on the spot. Over time, they’ll learn to wait quietly instead of rushing the door.
Keep Greetings Low-Key 😌
Encourage guests to stay calm during greetings too. No loud voices, sudden movements, or excited petting — all of these can increase your puppy’s energy. Let your guests know the training plan so they can help reinforce calm behavior.
Use Short Sessions and Be Consistent ⏱️
Training won’t happen overnight, so keep greetings short at first. If your puppy gets too excited, pause the session and try again later. Celebrate small wins, and always stay patient. Puppies thrive on repetition and encouragement!
Bonus Tip: Offer Chew Toys or Treat Distractions 🦴
Before guests arrive, give your puppy a chew toy or a filled puzzle toy to help keep them calm and busy. This can redirect their excitement into a quiet, soothing activity.
Why It Matters 💡
Teaching your puppy to greet guests calmly not only improves manners but reduces stress for everyone. A calm greeting sets the tone for a peaceful visit and helps your puppy feel more secure in social settings.
Final Thoughts 🐕
Every puppy learns at their own pace, but with practice and patience, your furry friend will soon master the art of polite hellos. Keep your training light and fun — and don’t forget to celebrate your puppy’s progress along the way!
Want more puppy training tips? Stick around Pets DogPuppy for more helpful guides 🐾💛 PetsDogPuppy