How to Teach Your Dog To Greet Guests Politely

Jumping on people who come to visit is a common behavior among pet dogs. This behavior is reinforced by any attention the dog gets for jumping and mouthing. In other words, jumping on people works.

Rather than constantly correcting your dog for jumping on visitors, it is better to teach him how to greet them politely.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• leash
• treats
• informed house guests

1. The first rule for a polite greeting from a dog is that all four paws must be on the floor. Practice this behavior with your dog near the door when there is nothing exciting going on. Ask for sits, downs, and other tricks. You can enhance this training by having him perform the cues on a mat near the door. Get polite behavior, praise and reward it. Do this step several times a day, for two minutes at a time for one or two days.

2. Stand in the doorway with your dog while he is leashed. Hook the leash to the doorknob. Ask him to sit. Have a partner stand on the other side of the door to ring the doorbell or knock every 15 seconds.

3. As this is happening, remain calm, if he barks, turn your back to him and ignore him, if he does not calm down, begin to move away from him. When he pauses for breath, praise him (or click) and toss a treat on the floor. Do not talk to your dog otherwise. Practice this step until he is no longer reactive. Repeat this step several times per day for two or three days.

4. Set up a "visit". Place your dog on his leash, or do not take it off after his walk. Sit on the couch and watch television or read with your dog near you. At a predetermined time, have another person ring the doorbell.

5. If your dog remains calm, walk him to the door with you without speaking to him. Before you open the door, stand on his leash. Give him enough length to stand or sit, but make the leash short enough to keep him from jumping.

6. Open the door for the guest. The person entering the door should not acknowledge the dog unless she has all four paws on the floor. If she begins to mouth or bark, the visitor should immediately ignore her.

7. You may also ask your guest to drop some dry treats such as kibble or O shaped cereal on the floor to condition your dog to look for dropped goodies instead of leaping on guests for attention.

8. Practice set ups several times per week for 3 or 4 weeks. Knock on walls yourself when your dog is not looking, and reward his calm and silent behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Consistently leash your dog before answering your door.
• Keep a small slip lead on a hook near the door.
• Keep a mat near the door that your dog learns to go to and sit on when people enter. Reward him for being on the mat, even if he is just standing on it.
• If you cannot train your dog while guests are arriving, put him in his crate or in the backyard so that he cannot practice bad behavior.
• Do not allow guests to pet and speak to your dog while he is being obnoxious.
• Do not shout at your dog when he becomes excited by the doorbell, he will think you are barking too.

[Desula]

on 5/26/2008 We're working on this now. Thanks for the advice on how to teach dogs to greet guests properly.