Does Fido accept house guests easily? Holiday events and house guests will be here before you know it, so it's a good time to prepare.
Here are a few tips to help Fido accept guests with less stress:
Provide a safe area: Your dog should have a quiet area he can escape to if he's overwhelmed by noise and foot traffic. In a separate room, set up an area with his food, water bowl, toys and cozy dog bed.
Stick to a schedule: Holidays can be hectic, but your dog will be less stressed if you stick to a regular schedule for feeding, playtime, etc.
Offer guests dog treats: We're not suggesting you add dog treats to the holiday menu, but a few extra treats for Fido wouldn't hurt. Let a few guests offer him treats (under your supervision). It won't lead to instant friendship, but may break the ice.
Mind those door manners: Does your dog follow "sit" and "stay" commands? Treat him when he sits and stays calmly at the door before you open it to visitors. If he needs a little more training, see our previous article on training your dog not to leap and greet.
Pay attention to the little ones: If child visitors want to pet and play with Fido, show them how your dog likes to be pet and which toys or treats to use. Also, make sure they're supervised at all times.
Leash or crate your dog, if needed: Does Fido get too excited? If so, keeping him on a leash or putting him in his crate may be the best option to keeping him under control.
Try these tips to help your dog cope with house guests. If he growls or acts aggressively, however, you'll need to take extra safety precautions and may need help from a trainer.
If you have any additional questions or encounter an emergency situation, email us at