Pet Tip of the Week: Politely Greeting Houseguests

By Dawn Watson

If you’re like most dog owners you’ve learned to hang out mainly with other dog owners. It just makes life simpler when you have guests that don’t mind flying fur, slobbered-on shoes, and a well-sniffed crotch. However once in awhile you may have to invite dear old Aunt Miriam and Uncle Norman over for a family get-together so teaching Fido to be polite is a must-do.

Here are some simple rules to follow so that Fido can adapt his behavior in time for the holidays:

Your dog must always sit before anyone pets him.
It’s best for your dog to have access to more private areas of the house so he can relax without being constantly mauled by well-meaning guests.
Place a small bucket of treats by the front door. Label it, \”Dog in training. Please take a treat, tell Fido to sit, then give him the treat.\”
Protect your dog from unruly children. (Crate children if necessary).
Teach your dog the \”Leave it\” command. If you don’t know that command give me a call and I’ll walk you through it.
Include a warning on your invitations. Guests would rather know you have a dog than be surprised. Something like, \”No panty-hose allowed\”, or, \”Please bring a lint brush\” will be enough information for most people.

With a bit of practice Fido can become a real party animal. And speaking of parties, remember to stop in to Brother of the Wolf on Saturday, November 14 at 10 AM. We’ll be partying with the Mayor of Gloucester City and Droopy Dawg at our grand opening. There will be snacks, coffee, and discounts offered on our upcoming classes so don’t miss out on the fun!

$\"clip_image002[5]\"$ As always, Cleary’s Notebook encourages commentary so if you have questions please ask. Next week’s topic will be about mastering the polite, on-leash walk.