Introducing Your Dog to Strangers

This makes it difficult to train overly friendly dogs against jumping up and overwhelming guests, Smith says, since they will want to test each new person who is introduced. If one person pets them and provides attention, it reinforces the behavior. “Random positive reinforcement is the strongest influencer of behavior,” she notes. “The reason people become gambling addicts is the slot pays out intermittently and they get some money. That concept translates in learning theory with dogs: If their jumping gets randomly reinforced, they’re going to keep doing it.”

Smith notes, however, that every dog is different, and if the dog is used to being in training mode, it can be more receptive to counter-commands. But even if your dog goes crazy every time the door rings, there is hope, says Sue Schulze, an in-home trainer and behavior counselor at Kennelwood Pet Resorts. She recommends practicing when there are no guests around. “It’s a conditioned response,” she says. “Try ringing the bell and drop down treats.” This method will get their attention, and soon the dog will be a little calmer when the doorbell rings, she says.

Once that happens, you can teach an operate command, such as telling the dog to sit or to come to a person who is not near the door. “Teach an incompatible behavior,” Schulze notes. “It’s hard to go to the door if they’re coming to you. People don’t practice the door stuff enough for it to be habit when there is company. Unless you get good behavior when there’s nobody there, you won’t get it when there is.” In the meantime, she recommends taking management steps, like keeping the dog leashed when company is expected, or putting them away in another room.

The same thing goes for teaching your dog to be calm when they pass new people on a walk, Schulze adds. The key is to keep the dog’s attention divided, she notes. “It could take backing up half a block. It’s not easy, especially the first time out,” she says, noting that it takes 21 days of consistent practice to create a habit. “I’m not talking hours at a time— more like 5 to 10 minutes per day, and you’re going to see a difference.”

Laura Lawrence, owner of The Well Behaved Pet, agrees. If your dog jumps up to greet you when you come home, it won’t understand that it can’t greet new people the same way, she says. “You have to tell people, The dog is in training, please wait until he is sitting before you greet him,” she says.

For dogs who are shy and fearful, on the other hand, the goal is to take baby steps and make every interaction a positive one, Lawrence adds. “Be really aware of how severe the fear is. If it’s too much, you can create another problem, so do it in baby steps until you build up their confidence. You want her to get the strength from you, and whatever the situation is she looks to you, and you take care of it.”

And all of our experts agree, for any negative behavior, there is no quick fix. “It’s a lot of work and you need to put in the time,” Lawrence says. “This isn’t an accessory to your home. It has to be a lifestyle change.”