If you’re at your wit’s end with a reactive dog whose over-the-top antics are driven by fear, you’re not alone. Managing their relentless barking at every knock or passerby can be a real test of patience.
Dog training gurus have now revealed a game-changing tip for keeping your canine companion quiet and composed when visitors arrive. Morgan Strack and Katie Eaton from The Good Dog in Yorktown, Virginia, are known for dishing out top-notch advice on canine conduct.
On Instagram, they shared: “Bad habits at the front door? This is the easiest way to teach your dog how to be calm when people are coming over. Using a tether will prevent bad habits from forming while also being able to attend to your guest.”
Demonstrating with her own dog Cooper, Morgan illustrated how securing him with a leash under the door prevented him from reaching the visitor. She elaborated: “It’s important to realise that ATTENTION is a reward to your dog. Rewards reinforce behaviours. So, the more your dog gets attention while they’re jumping and barking, the more they’re going to offer those behaviours.”
Fast-forwarding Cooper’s reaction, it was clear that the pup gradually began to settle down. Morgan explained: “Tethering is a great option if you don’t have anyone around to hold the leash or help you with training. The tether will prevent your dog from being able to crowd your guests so that the wrong behaviours don’t accidentally get reinforced.
“You want to reinforce CALMNESS instead – so don’t let them greet your guests until they are much calmer! You’ll notice over time that you don’t have to use the leash nearly as much, till you can do away with it completely.”
Wrapping up the video, Morgan highlighted that once your dog has fully calmed down, you can then put them on a lead and introduce them to the guest, but only when they’re relaxed.
The advice was a hit with viewers who quickly expressed their gratitude to the dog trainers. One viewer commented: “Thank you! ! I needed this tip. My dog has excitement pee! Drives me crazy cuz people don’t always accept my request to please not touch him until he calms down. This will be a game changer I’m sure.”
Another added: “OMGosh! Lol. This made me want to cry! Haha. His adorable little tail he got so excited! And everyone just walked by!!!!! Poor bubba. I get it though. Just broke my heart for a minute.”
Many users were eager for further advice. One individual queried: “What should you do when they calm but once getting attention get wild again? ” Morgan responded with a tip, saying, “I would just put less emphasis on the greeting. Have your guest ignore your dog indefinitely, till they’re nice and calm!”
