Thanksgiving usually means families gathering around a table, sharing food, drinks, and gratitude. In this blog, I will cover ways to prepare your dogs for entertaining situations so you can avoid frustration and anxiety. Then you can enjoy your family, friends, and food.
Polite Manners
Your dog may crave close interaction with your guests. Some dogs greet people by jumping up on them. While this is normal attention-seeking animal behavior, your guests may find it annoying. What can you do to decrease these behaviors?
On the opposite side of the spectrum, some dogs greet guests by barking and lunging. This fear-related, distance increasing animal behavior can cause your guests to feel anxious and afraid. What can you do to make your pets and guests feel safe?
Management is key.
Leash up your dog when your guests are around. A leash can be easily stored on a removable hook next to your main entrance. This gives you control of when and how your dog gives your guests attention.
Tether your dog. I wear a waist harness with carabiners to which I attached my dogs. I can walk around and visit with my guests while preventing my dogs from jumping up on people. Tie your dog to a sturdy furniture leg or wall hook. Provide a blanket or bed, toys, or a chew bone or food puzzle to keep your dog active mentally. Reward any calm behavior, too.
Remove your dog from your guests. Crates, exercise pens, or doors work to separate your pets from your activities. Again, provide mental enrichment like toys, chew bones, and food puzzles. Remote treat dispensers allow you and your guests to interact remotely with pets while never leaving the dinner table. Most have cameras and connect to a smartphone Play calming music. You can find music for dogs on YouTube. For shy dogs who prefer not to interact with strangers, removing them will reduce their anxiety.
Manage your guests. They can interact with your dog only if they is calm and has four paws on the floor. Similarly, your guests should be calm when interacting with your pets. Slow stroking, whispering, and squatting down will keep your pet from getting too excited or over aroused.
Remind your guests of the house rules for your dogs. For instance, don’t feed the pet anything but treats provided.
Exercise or play with your dog before your guests arrive. Less energy equals better behaved around your visitors.
Supervision. Be aware of your dog's whereabouts in the house or outside at all times while you are entertaining. This will prevent accidental ingestion of poisonous foods, bolting out the door, and rude interactions with guests.
Check with your vet before sharing any human food with your pet. For a comprehensive list of appropriate foods for pets check out The American Kennel Club.
Make a pet first aid kit. The American Veterinary Medical Association says to include important phone numbers like your veterinarian, the nearest emergency-veterinary clinic (along with directions) and a poison-control center or hotline such as the ASPCA poison-control center, which can be reached at 1-800-426-4435.
Training is also important.
Treats should be kept on hand. Wear a pouch or apron, or place a can of treats near the main entrance. Think of your pet's favorite foods. My dogs love Stewart’s freeze dried turkey livers. Check with your vet before sharing any human food with your dog.
Use known cues instead of saying, “No.” My mantra is “No is sit.” If my dog jumps up on me, I say, “Sit,” then reward her for sitting. Cuing the behavior before my dog gets in front of me prevents the jumping up from happening. Dogs repeat behaviors that are rewarded! Show off some party tricks like “shake” or “roll over.”
Teach a polite greeting cue. I really like Emma Parsons’ (KPA CTP, APDT, CDBC) “Go say, ‘Hi,’” method. It works for both shy and overly zealous dog greeters. It allows the dog the choice to either interact or not with your guests.
Use a positive interrupter. A kissy noise, squeaky sound, or click of your tongue can get your pet’s attention away from guests. Reward any head turns in your direction with treats.
Zoomies Dog Social Club & Training does offer dog group training classes and private lessons at our Clubhouse on Knox Butte Road E, Albany. Our instructors use rewards-based teaching methods to help you build a strong, trust-filled bond with your dog. To find out more about all of our courses and to enroll, visit our website.
However or wherever you’re spending your holiday, enjoy yourself and your pets.
Thank you for reading and, as always, practice patience.
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