If you’re a dog owner, you know that teaching your furry friend to greet people politely can be a daunting task. However, with the right approach and a little patience, it is absolutely possible to train your dog to greet people in a calm and friendly manner. In this blog post, we will cover the 3 essential steps to master this skill and help your dog become a more well-behaved and happy companion. So, let’s dive in!

Introduction:

If you are a dog owner of a large breed, you have most likely experienced the challenge of having your furry friend jump up on people when greeting them. Though it may seem harmless, jumping up can scare people and even cause them to fall, which could lead to potential injuries. Fortunately, there are ways to teach your dog to greet people nicely. In this article, we will discuss the 3 steps for teaching your dog to greet people nicely, along with some proactive dog training strategies that you can easily implement at home.

Step One: Teaching Your Dog to Sit

The first step in teaching your dog to greet people nicely is teaching them to sit. When your dog is sitting, they are not able to jump up on people. Here’s how to do it:

Get your dog’s attention by saying their name.
Hold a treat close to their nose and move it up and back over their head.
As your dog’s head goes up to follow the treat, their butt will naturally go down into a sit position.
Reward your dog with the treat immediately and praise them with “Good boy/girl!” as they sit.

Step Two: Teaching Your Dog to Stay Seated

The second step in teaching your dog to greet people nicely is teaching them to stay seated. Here’s how to do it:

With your dog in a sit position, place your hand in front of them with the palm facing towards them.
Say “stay” in a firm and clear voice while taking one step back.
Return to your dog immediately, reward them with a treat and praise them with “Good boy/girl!” if they have successfully stayed seated.

Step Three: Practicing with a Real Person

The third and final step in teaching your dog to greet people nicely is practicing with a real person. Here’s how to do it:

With your dog seated, approach a willing volunteer and instruct them to ignore your dog while you approach.
Approach your dog and give them the command “sit”, followed by “stay”.
Greet the volunteer with “Hello! How are you today?” and allow them to pet your dog.
If your dog attempts to stand up or jumps on the volunteer, remove them from the situation and start over.

Proactive Dog Training Strategies

In addition to the 3 steps mentioned above, there are a number of proactive dog training strategies that you can implement to ensure that your dog is well-behaved and well-trained. Some of these strategies include:

Teaching positive behaviors before negative behaviors occur
Consistently practicing good behavior
Treating your dog with patience and respect
Being mindful of your dog’s body language and emotional state
Rewarding good behavior and ignoring unwanted behavior

Additional Training Resources

For those who need further guidance in training their dogs, there are a number of training resources available online. These include:

A puppy essentials training program for teaching puppies
A Life Skills program for dogs over 5 months old with McCann Dogs trainer support
Signature training equipment and “HeartDog” merch from the video can be purchased online
The McCann Dogs podcast is available to watch or listen to
A link to additional training to stop dogs from jumping up is provided at the end of the video

Conclusion:

Teaching your dog to greet people nicely is not only important for the safety of others, but for the overall happiness and well-being of your furry friend. By following the 3 steps outlined in this article, along with implementing proactive dog training strategies, you can ensure that your dog is a well-trained and well-behaved member of society.

FAQs:

How long does it take to teach a dog to greet people nicely?

Every dog is different, but with consistent training, it could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

Should I punish my dog for jumping up on people?

No, punishment is not an effective training technique for dogs. Positive reinforcement and rewards for desired behavior is much more effective.

Can I use the same techniques for smaller breeds?

Yes, the same techniques can be used for all breeds of dogs.

What if my dog gets too excited and won’t listen to commands?

In this case, it’s best to remove them from the situation and try again later when they have calmed down.

Are there any training programs available for older dogs?

Yes, the Life Skills program from McCann Dogs is available for dogs over 5 months old and is tailored to their specific needs.