How to Train Dog to Accept a Friendly Stranger

Many dogs are protective of their homes and masters. This accounts for the often aggressive behavior exhibited by household pets when strangers come to the door. Fortunately, there are several methods to help your pet learn to identify a friendly stranger and begin to consider his or her presence in the home to be acceptable.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience
• Time

1. The first step is to set a good example for the pet. Many of us move suddenly and quickly when the doorbell rings. This sends a signal to the pet to settle into a protection mode. By choosing to walk to the door with a pace that is cool, calm, and collected, we send a signal that everything is all right and there is no need to prepare for a potential battle.

2. Next, greet the visitor warmly. Often, the pet will hang back and observe the reaction of the owner to the stranger. If the dog hears the owner using a warm tone while greeting the visitor and then backing up the tone with some type of physical gesture like a handshake or a hug, this will go a long way toward putting the pet at ease.

3. For the first few moments, make sure to keep the visitor away from the dog and closer to you. This allows the dog to assess the situation with more precision. As the pet becomes more comfortable, there is a good chance the dog will come forward and take up a position near the visitor.

4. If possible, keep the dog near you while the pet gets used to the presence of the stranger. Remain calm and pleasant as you settle into a conversation with the visitor. As the dog notes your continued ease, the pet will in turn relax and begin to consider the visitor to be welcome in the home.

5. Only when the dog chooses to advance in a non-threatening manner toward the stranger should the visitor acknowledge the presence of the pet. This should be done by smiling at the dog and offering a kind word in a pleasant tone. If the dog is satisfied that the visitor is no threat, the pet will usually wag the tail and move closer. Only once the pet has indicated that physical contact is welcome should the visitor attempt to make a move toward the pet

6. For the first move, the visitor should extend a hand with the palm down and the fingers relaxed. The dog is likely to consider this as non threatening and move forward to sniff the hand. After the pet is satisfied with there is no threat, the dog will often move an ear into position as an invitation to scratch behind an ear or to offer a pat on the head.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that different pets will respond at a different pace. Some dogs will be comfortable with visitors in a manner of minutes and welcome the stranger the next time he or she visits. Other dogs may require several visits before being comfortable with outsiders.
• Never attempt to force the stranger on the pet. Allow the dog time to consider the stranger and gradually warm to the situation. Once the dog is satisfied that the stranger means no harm, it will be acceptable for the stranger to move around the space freely, and to directly interact with the pet.