Encouraging Polite and Controlled Interactions with People
Objective:
To train your dog to greet people calmly and respectfully, reducing behaviors like jumping, barking, or overexcitement while creating a positive and controlled experience for both the dog and the person.
1. Preparing for the Greeting
• Goal: Ensure the dog is calm and focused before any interaction.
Procedure:
1. Begin by ensuring the dog has released excess energy through exercise or play.
(alleviating any built-up attention)
2. Use obedience commands such as “Sit” or “Stay” to establish control before a greeting.
3. Keep the dog on a leash during initial training to manage their behavior and maintain control.
2. Teaching the “Sit and Wait” Routine
• Goal: Teach the dog to remain seated and calm as a person approaches.
Procedure:
1. Position the Dog:
• Command the dog to “Sit” as the person approaches from a distance.
• Reinforce the “Stay” command to keep the dog in place.
2. Controlled Approach:
• Ask the person to approach slowly and calmly.
(Having their hands kept down low and greeting the dog by petting them on the head. Lots of the time, dogs jump up to get to the hands.)
• If the dog becomes excited or tries to move, stop the approach and reset the position with “Sit” and “Stay.”
3. Reward Calm Behavior:
• Reward the dog with verbal praise or treats for staying calm as the person gets closer.
• Repeat the process until the dog consistently remains seated during the approach.
3. Introducing Physical Contact
• Goal: Teach the dog to remain calm when being greeted with petting or attention.
Procedure:
1. Allow the person to greet the dog only when they remain calm and seated.
2. If the dog jumps, barks, or becomes overly excited, have the person step back and wait until the dog is calm again.
(sometimes correcting this behavior is recommended)
3. Gradually increase the level of interaction, starting with gentle petting and progressing to more enthusiastic greetings as the dog’s behavior improves.
4. Addressing Specific Greeting Challenges
• Excitement Jumping:
• Ignore the dog and turn away if they jump.
(Less likely to happen if you keep your hands down low)
Only resume the greeting when the dog is calm and seated.
• Barking:
• Use a calm “Quiet” command to redirect the behavior. Reward the dog for remaining silent during the greeting.
5. Practicing Greetings in Different Environments
• Goal: Generalize the behavior to various locations and situations.
Procedure:
1. Practice greetings with different people, including strangers, in controlled environments like your home or yard.
2. Gradually introduce distractions, such as other dogs or new locations, while reinforcing calm greeting behavior.
3. Always ensure the person understands the process to avoid reinforcing unwanted behavior.
6. Reinforcing Positive Behavior
• Goal: Strengthen the dog’s understanding of appropriate greeting behavior through consistent reinforcement.
Procedure:
1. Use treats, praise, or toys as rewards for calm and controlled greetings.
2. Gradually reduce the reliance on treats, shifting to verbal praise and affection as the dog masters the behavior.
3. Maintain consistency in expectations and rewards across all interactions.
Key Principles for Success:
• Predictability: Dogs thrive on routine. Always approach greetings the same way during training.
• Calm Leadership: Maintain calm, confident energy to guide the dog’s behavior.
• Consistency: Ensure everyone interacting with the dog follows the same protocol to avoid confusion.
By following this protocol, your dog will learn to approach and greet people calmly and respectfully, creating a positive experience for both the dog and the person being greeted.
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