Petiquette: Mixing Pets & Guests

Even if you have the most well-behaved pooch at home, they can turn into a bull in a china shop when guests arrive at your front door. Inviting people into your home can be stressful enough as is, especially around the holidays, and having an overly excited or stressed dog can cause extra unwanted havoc in your home.

If this situation sounds familiar, we can assure you, you’re not alone! Guests are a break in your dog’s normal day-today routine, so it’s understandable that inviting others to your home can receive an extreme response. If you’re tired of apologizing for your (usually) precious pup’s behavior, then it’s time to learn some tips and tricks that will have all your guests complimenting your cool, calm, and collected fido! Ideally, when someone enters your home, you want your pet to be calm so they don’t jump on a guest who doesn’t particularly like dogs, someone who is unsteady on their feet, or so chaos doesn’t immediately ensue. The best way to prevent these situations is to first give them the support to make good decisions. For example, if you know your dog likes to steal snacks off the kitchen counter, move items out of reach and make sure your pet isn’t left alone in the kitchen.

Remember that your home is also your pet’s home, so it’s important for them to have a space they can go to calm down when guests are around. Even if your guests love your pets, a good rule of thumb is “supervise or confine.” This means if you can’t fully supervise your pet, they should be confined to a comfortable spot where they can relax, and you can keep your piece of mind. Now this may sound like a punishment for your pet getting too excited, but really, this is a great opportunity to allow your dog to calm down. Give them a toy or two, a treat, and their bed, and they will be in dreamland soon after your guests arrive. If this trick doesn’t work at first, try taking your pup for a walk before sending them to their private relaxation area.

For that maximum distraction power, invest in a few toys that encourage soothing behavior like licking and chewing, or in my dog’s case, tiny little nibbles. These types of toys can help ease your pooch’s anxiety when you’re gone to work or guests are over, but can also promote mental stimulation and minimize separation anxiety.

Some toys we recommend are:

1. KONG Classic Dog Toy: can stuff with treats or fill with dog-safe peanut butter for longtime focus; also dishwasher safe!

2. Paw5 Wooly Snuffle Mat: keep your pup busy and work their brain while they sniff out treats or kibble from the fabric folds

3. SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy: Heartbeat toys combine warmth, softness, and a rhythmic pulse to give your pet the perfect cuddling companion. Heavy chewers beware, as your dog may see it more as a chew toy than a calming mechanism!

We’ve all heard that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but this old adage isn’t necessarily true. Dogs are innately good learners, and when high-value treats are involved, we’re sure you’ll have your pet’s full attention. Practicing the sit command helps dogs with their self-control, so be sure to practice this command for multiple situations, and especially by entrances where your guests enter. Then, when your pup behaves as you want, praise and reward them with treats and lots of love! With so many different treat options, it’s hard to know what is considered “high-value.” Luckily, you probably already have several high-value treat options in your kitchen, such as chicken, hot dogs, and most importantly, cheese! Personally, my dog will do just about anything for some shredded cheese.

Some packaged treat options we recommend are:

1. Northwest Naturals Freeze Dried Treats: for both dogs and cats, and come in a large variety of flavors

2. Vital Essentials Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats: packed with protein and come in a variety of unique flavors

3. Stella & Chewy’s Crav’n Bac’n Bites: with bacon as the #1 ingredient, your dog will be beggin’ for bacon!

When mixing pets and guests, most importantly, be sure to advocate for your pet! Your home is their home, where they feel comfortable and safe with you - guests can be an unwelcome distraction for them, so explaining to your guests what your dog needs to be successful can make for a better visit for all.