Having visitors can be fun for you and your dog, but sometimes guests unwittingly undo your hard work.
What's going on in your dog's brain
If your guests encourage your dog to jump up or play roughly, it could lead them to believe that that behaviour is now acceptable. To avoid this situation altogether, make it a habit to pre-emptively tell your guests that jumping isn’t an acceptable behaviour for your pet, and ask them not to encourage it. Most people will understand and simply change their own behaviours.
Similarly, many guests don't realise that offering your pet some food from their plate can lead to begging and expectations of being given people food later on. Let your guests know that your dog eats a specially-prepared diet that won’t upset their stomach. You don’t have to tell them that it’s just dog food—it's still true, and they should respect your request to withhold table food, regardless.
When the guests include children
Kids may not understand why your pet has rules to follow. Be sure to explain the boundaries when they first arrive, and advise them to give your pet plenty of space. Your dog may become uncomfortable with too much rough play, so remind children to visit calmly. Even better, ensure your dog has a safe haven to which they can retreat freely. Children who learn to respect dogs from an early age are far less likely to be bitten, and even friendly dogs can be pushed to nip when they are agitated.
Most importantly: kids and dogs should never be left alone together.
