strangers and dogs at home

[james boa]

hi people, does anyone know the best way to introduce strangers to a dog at home cos i had someone come round the other day to buy a snake and woody had a go, my fault but looking for ideas, cheers jim.

[cpiggott22]

I'd love to know this one too! Zara doesn't bite but she will bark her head off for the first 30 seconds until she runs off to get a toy but being a very big dog this is obviously pretty off-putting for people. I've tried sending her to bed but she obeys for 2 seconds until I take my eyes off her to greet whoever's coming in. I will put her in the bathroom if it's someone who deosn't like dogs or is afraid of her but I prefer her to mix with people wherever possible.

[james boa]

Originally Posted by cpiggott22

I'd love to know this one too! Zara doesn't bite but she will bark her head off for the first 30 seconds until she runs off to get a toy but being a very big dog this is obviously pretty off-putting for people. I've tried sending her to bed but she obeys for 2 seconds until I take my eyes off her to greet whoever's coming in. I will put her in the bathroom if it's someone who deosn't like dogs or is afraid of her but I prefer her to mix with people wherever possible.

yeah i like woody to mix with every one this was the first time he's got nasty he normally get excited when someone's at the door and gets them a toy and sits there but not this time.

[Marinam2]

Send him to his "bed" or use a shut door.

Marina

[james boa]

Originally Posted by Marinam2

Send him to his "bed" or use a shut door.

Marina

thanks for the advise, cheers jim.

[Nebbz]

the only way i know is to remove him from the room, or make the dog wait giving you space. The person who enters is not to look or even acknowledge the dog is there. If the dog goes near the stranger you ignore the person who just walked in and deal with the dog, Dont speak to it, just move it away and make it stay, It may seem rude but its better to do this, than just stroke the dog or touch the dog but keeping it there, your giving it the wrong signals.

That way stops it jumping up too.

Or the easy way, lock it in a room the stranger wont be going too! simple but doesnt solve the problem in the long run

[james boa]

Originally Posted by Nebbz

the only way i know is to remove him from the room, or make the dog wait giving you space. The person who enters is not to look or even acknowledge the dog is there. If the dog goes near the stranger you ignore the person who just walked in and deal with the dog, Dont speak to it, just move it away and make it stay, It may seem rude but its better to do this, than just stroke the dog or touch the dog but keeping it there, your giving it the wrong signals.

That way stops it jumping up too.

Or the easy way, lock it in a room the stranger wont be going too! simple but doesnt solve the problem in the long run

thats great advice thank you.

[Cheeky-x]

Personally i wouldn't remove the dog, you have to look at the overall picture. Does you dog go to bite the stranger or look generally nervous? How does the stranger greet the dog? If the dog goes towards them and they bend down straight away to pet the dog this could put a nervous/excited dog in a worse state. Personally if the dog was just very vocal and had alot of nervous/aggresive energy i would make the dog sit and wait until relaxed (do off lead but if you really dont trust the dog put one on) let stranger in house and ask them politly to let the dog sniff them and ignore him/her. Dogs natural instinct when they greet is to snif and get to know the said person this should then put the dog at ease as they have greeted them and know exactly who is coming into their teritory. After this then your guest can pet the dog but keep the excitable ''oh hello arnt you a lovely boy'' away, this will put the dog in a wrong mindset again and you want to keep everythig calm and relaxed!you can remove the dog and put him her in a diferent room and go on with your day. Sorry its an essay but that is how i would deal with the situation personally

[james boa]

Originally Posted by Cheeky-x

Personally i wouldn't remove the dog, you have to look at the overall picture. Does you dog go to bite the stranger or look generally nervous? How does the stranger greet the dog? If the dog goes towards them and they bend down straight away to pet the dog this could put a nervous/excited dog in a worse state. Personally if the dog was just very vocal and had alot of nervous/aggresive energy i would make the dog sit and wait until relaxed (do off lead but if you really dont trust the dog put one on) let stranger in house and ask them politly to let the dog sniff them and ignore him/her. Dogs natural instinct when they greet is to snif and get to know the said person this should then put the dog at ease as they have greeted them and know exactly who is coming into their teritory. After this then your guest can pet the dog but keep the excitable ''oh hello arnt you a lovely boy'' away, this will put the dog in a wrong mindset again and you want to keep everythig calm and relaxed!you can remove the dog and put him her in a diferent room and go on with your day. Sorry its an essay but that is how i would deal with the situation personally

thanks very much for your advice i'm going to get someone i know and woody does to do a test and see how we get on, cheers jim.

[Marinam2]

It is after this bit of advice that i would like to tell you that if your dog bites or even so much as threatens someone in your house and that person believes they are under attack even if the dog DOESNT bite them you can be sued and dragged in to court.
And risk the destruction of your dog. So before you go having "experiements" i'd sit and think a little harder.
Marina