Let's talk about petiquette. That's right - pet etiquette. Tis the season for guests and get togethers and the last thing you want to do is allow your dog to make your guest's stay miserable. Nothing ruins my day more than a dog that knocks me over and spills my side dish when I arrive at a friend's house.
So let's go over some of the polite ways your dog should act when guests are over. If your dog struggles with any of these, you may want to try to work on them, whether it means a formal training class or just practicing with them on your own.
[Polite Upon Arrival]
When a guest enters your home, you want to give them some space to walk in, put their things down, and adjust to their surroundings. Make sure your dog is properly restrained or controlled to prevent jumping on guests or even nipping.
[Appropriate Sniffing]
It's totally okay to sniff guests if you're a dog but you don't want them stabbing people in the crotch just to get a sniff. Make sure your dog knows commands that tell him or her to cease what they are doing and leave the guest alone.
[Leg Lifting]
It's always a good idea to let your dog out before and right after a guest arrives so that any territorial urges they get
[Begging]
It's never fun to eat with an audience especially if it's an audience that you're not used to so when the humans dine at the table, make sure the canines know not to jump up and put their paws on the table.
[Reward Good Behavior]
Anytime your pooch is good, make sure you reward that behavior. Treats are a must. My favorite, especially this time of year are Bil-Jac Dessert Jacs Caramel Apple. The dogs love them and I feel very festive giving them to my pups. Bil-Jac is a family run and family owned company so they understand how important it is to treat the dogs in your life.
Psst - these make great stocking stuffers for Christmas too!
I really really liked reading your post. Thank you so much for sharing with us all those great tips!!!!!
ReplyDeleteNina