Many dogs get excited when visitors arrive, they jump, bark, and can be generally hyperactive. While dogs love seeing new people, it can be very overwhelming for them, and it can also be frustrating for you as the owner.

Fortunately, with some simple training techniques, you can help your dog stay calm and well-behaved when visitors come over.

1. Exercise Your Dog Beforehand

Dogs need exercise to burn off energy. If your dog is full of energy when guests arrive, it’s going to be much harder to keep them calm. Before your visitors come, take your dog for a walk or play a game of fetch.

This will help to tire them out and make them more relaxed.

2. Teach Your Dog to Greet Visitors Politely

Training your dog to greet visitors politely is very important. This means that they stay calm and don’t jump on people or bark excessively.

To train your dog to greet visitors politely, you must first teach them the “sit” and “stay” commands. When someone comes to the door, tell your dog to sit and stay.

Then, calmly greet your visitor, and only release your dog once they are calm. If your dog jumps up or barks, say “no” firmly and redirect them to sit and stay again. Repeat this process until your dog learns to greet visitors politely.

3. Practice Socialization

Socialization is the process of exposing your dog to different people, places, and experiences.

It’s essential to socialize your dog from a young age, as it helps them to become used to new situations, which can help prevent anxiety and fear-related behaviors.

If your dog is not socialized, they may become nervous around visitors, leading to hyperactivity or barking. To socialize your dog, you should take them to new places and introduce them to new people.

Practice positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats or praise, to reinforce good behavior.

4. Create a Safe Place for Your Dog

When visitors arrive, it’s a good idea to create a safe place for your dog. This could be a room where they feel secure or their crate. By giving them a safe place to retreat to, they can relax and feel less stressed.

Before visitors arrive, make sure your dog’s safe place is comfortable and has water and toys. Encourage your dog to go to their safe place by providing treats or praise when they go there voluntarily.

5. Use a Calming Aid

If your dog is particularly anxious or excitable, you may want to try using a calming aid. These aids can be in the form of sprays, diffusers, or collars. They release pheromones that can help calm your dog and reduce anxiety.

Calming aids can be particularly useful if you have guests over for extended periods. However, it’s always best to combine them with other training techniques for the best results.

6. Create Boundaries with Visitors

If your dog is prone to hyperactivity or barking, it’s a good idea to create boundaries with your visitors. Set clear rules from the start and communicate them to your visitors.

This may mean asking them not to pet your dog until they are calm or not allowing your dog to jump up.

By setting boundaries, you can manage your dog’s behavior and reduce the risk of over-excitement. Make sure you communicate these boundaries to your visitors before they arrive, so they know what to expect.

7. Reward Good Behavior

Positive reinforcement is always the most effective training technique. When your dog behaves calmly around visitors, be sure to praise them and give them a treat. This will help reinforce the good behavior and encourage them to repeat it in the future.

Remember to be patient and consistent when training your dog. It can take time for them to learn new behaviors, so don’t give up if you don’t see results straight away.

Conclusion

Training your dog to be calm when visitors arrive takes effort, patience, and consistency. By following these tips and techniques, you can help your dog feel more comfortable around visitors and reduce their anxiety.

Remember that training takes time, so be patient and don’t give up if you don’t see results straight away.