Is your puppy wary or scared when people come over? This can be a challenge for many puppy owners, as we want it to be a positive experience when a guest visits. To help with this, we have written a blog with a few strategies on introducing your puppy to guests in the home.
Have guests greet your puppy at the door
If your puppy is stressed when someone comes over, setting some rules for guests can make a big difference. This will help ensure that every interaction is positive, so by the time they leave, your puppy may have made a new friend.
Because most puppies (particularly Labrador Retriever puppies) are highly food motivated, you can use treats to create positive associations. Before the guests arrive, withhold half of your puppy’s breakfast so they’re a little hungry and motivated for treats.
When your guest arrives, have them toss your puppy some kibble or treats. If your puppy comes up to them, they can offer some kibble or treats from their hand. Remember to always let your puppy approach the guest first; you don’t want them to feel uncomfortable and have a negative experience.
Introduce children to your puppy
Children can be loud, excited, and possibly a little overwhelming for a puppy. Structured interactions can help your puppy make positive associations with children, while also teaching children to be respectful of a puppy’s space and how to safely interact with them.
When children are over, you can include them in feeding, name recognition, and body handling exercises. For more information on this, check out our blog on “Ways to include children in puppy raising”.
How can I tell if my puppy feels comfortable around guests
An obvious sign that your puppy is excited to greet a guest is shown through their body language. If your puppy is excited to meet someone, they will often:
- Be Wiggly, while learning forward or evenly balanced.
- Have their tongue hanging lazily, inside or outside of the mouth. Their mouth will likely be open and relaxed.
- Have tail loosely wagging or moving in large circles. Their tail won’t be tucked in.
- Have their ears in a natural position or pinned back against their head.
- Have soft eyes, and they won’t be staring for long periods.
- Be excitedly whining or barking because they’re excited.
If you need help reading your puppy’s body language, we have published a blog on how to understand a dog’s body language.
Take time to socialize your puppy outside of the home
When socializing your puppy, it’s important for them to meet a variety of people across different ages and appearances. This will help your puppy to be comfortable around all guests, during veterinary and grooming appointments, and when out in public. For help socializing your puppy, you can check out our blog on “How to properly socialize your puppy”.
We are here to help
Do you have any questions on how to train and socialize your puppy? You can schedule a free consultation with our Pet Behavior Team. We offer personalized training programs that take place with one-on-one sessions at your home and local Houston neighborhood. Beyond the Dog Houston also offers virtual training programs and board and train programs. For more informative blogs, check out our Puppy Training Blogs and Houston’s Dog-Friendly Guide.
