Excited dog and visitors
Discussion
3 yr old terrier cross. Generally well behaved, it's just when we have friends round.
He goes mental trying to get to them, jumping up and generally being a pain. Quite strong and claws quite sharp so even tolerant people get fed up quickly.
Distraction techniques haven't worked (food, toys etc) getting him tired doesn't work and he can keep his enthusiasm for the forbidden up for hours.
Anyone with any ideas?
He goes mental trying to get to them, jumping up and generally being a pain. Quite strong and claws quite sharp so even tolerant people get fed up quickly.
Distraction techniques haven't worked (food, toys etc) getting him tired doesn't work and he can keep his enthusiasm for the forbidden up for hours.
Anyone with any ideas?
My simplest solution (and works for my whippet) is the dog crate, pop him in for few mins once visitors are in etc he comes out and is generally much calmer.
He isn't actually that bad in the first place just unpredictable, some people he is calm with others he gets a bit too much, he will get down when told etc but he just seems to deal with it better if he has time to see them first whilst in his crate!
Obviously this is no good if you don't own/use a crate!!
He isn't actually that bad in the first place just unpredictable, some people he is calm with others he gets a bit too much, he will get down when told etc but he just seems to deal with it better if he has time to see them first whilst in his crate!
Obviously this is no good if you don't own/use a crate!!
We have a crate, but don't use it. We tried to crate train him as a puppy but gave up, he just battered the hell out the thing, we'd find it on the other side of the room. Even managed to burst the door open a couple of times.
He's always been really good in the house, no chewing or mess so didn't pursue the crate thing.
He'll pick on the easy targets. A bit desperate but I end up putting his lead on.
He's always been really good in the house, no chewing or mess so didn't pursue the crate thing.
He'll pick on the easy targets. A bit desperate but I end up putting his lead on.
If you can't do a crate you will have to lock him in another room until calm.
If at all possible ask visitors to ignore him for a while - we had a similar issue and everyone (apart from my M-i-L) was very helpful and after a few weeks the issue was under control.
We locked them into a small side room for a few minutes and only let them out when they had calmed down, putting them away again if they overstepped the mark. This started following the arrival of a new puppy.
If at all possible ask visitors to ignore him for a while - we had a similar issue and everyone (apart from my M-i-L) was very helpful and after a few weeks the issue was under control.
We locked them into a small side room for a few minutes and only let them out when they had calmed down, putting them away again if they overstepped the mark. This started following the arrival of a new puppy.
The ignoring thing is good and does work to an extent but difficult in practise. Male friends are better at it than female (He looks for the softest target) We've had some success with a plant spray and I'm going to try a frozen Kong full of peanut butter as a distraction. He is quite relentless though.
It hurts when he jumps and can damage clothing. If you turn your back on him he'll just run around, or jump at your back. It's also difficult when you're sitting relaxing. He does calm down eventually, but (if friends are staying over night) He'll resume in the morning.
While we're eating he's good as gold.
Locking him in another room results in the door being battered and scratched.
He's okay when we're out and about, it's in the house we have the biggest problem.
It hurts when he jumps and can damage clothing. If you turn your back on him he'll just run around, or jump at your back. It's also difficult when you're sitting relaxing. He does calm down eventually, but (if friends are staying over night) He'll resume in the morning.
While we're eating he's good as gold.
Locking him in another room results in the door being battered and scratched.
He's okay when we're out and about, it's in the house we have the biggest problem.
Same here terrier and collies
We just keep in our conservatory, they go nuts barking but calm down after 2 mins and then back to bed, they used to run upto door and bombard the person visiting, they were friendly but really full on. We could train the collie, but the terrier: NO chance! Now we just keep them in the conservatory when visitors in house.
Sometimes we ask the guest if they mind and then we let the dogs out to greet them . Some people love dogs, others not bothered, some are scared/hate dogs
I think it goes with the breed, you could try training for ages and make limited progress, or just restrict them from getting to visitors, unless the visitor wants to see them
We just keep in our conservatory, they go nuts barking but calm down after 2 mins and then back to bed, they used to run upto door and bombard the person visiting, they were friendly but really full on. We could train the collie, but the terrier: NO chance! Now we just keep them in the conservatory when visitors in house.
Sometimes we ask the guest if they mind and then we let the dogs out to greet them . Some people love dogs, others not bothered, some are scared/hate dogs
I think it goes with the breed, you could try training for ages and make limited progress, or just restrict them from getting to visitors, unless the visitor wants to see them
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