Petland Logo
Login/Register

Please create a free account, or login by clicking here.

Menu

Download our Petland App today for information on your local Petland's Available Pets and Pet Supplies. All at the tips of your fingers!

Introducing Your Pet to Strangers

November 19, 2021

As a pet parent, if you’re going to be having guests in the house with your pet present, then this is an essential step. 

Ideally, the socialization process should begin as soon as your pup comes home. Invite friends and family over, and have them interact with your pup so that he gets used to the feel of other people outside of yourself. 

Pups have different personalities and would naturally react differently when meeting strangers for the first time. So, whether the meeting is outdoors or indoors, here are 5 steps to help you ace pet-human introductions: 

  1. Stay On Top of the Entire Exchange

This starts right from when the doorbell rings. Keep your dog on a leash, and correct unpleasant behavior like barking or charging at the door using a firm but calm tone. 

Once your guest enters, ensure that they are interacting with you and ignoring your pup. This strange but correct action allows your pet to understand that they don’t pose a threat, and this should help him relax. 

Next, allow your dog to get a few sniffs of your guest, and he should be more relaxed afterward. 

  1. Keep Intros Short Initially

This especially applies when your pet gets easily excited. Watch his behavior, if you note any buildup of aggression or agitation, slow the process down. 

You may need to keep the leash on for the entire duration of the visit, this would help you keep control of the situation. 

Furthermore, a calm tone and lots of loving physical contact should help. 

  1. Reward Good Behavior

If your pup remains calm when he hears a knock instead of racing to the door, this is behavior that should be rewarded. 

You could allow your visitor to do the honors even, this would help him relax. 

Furthermore, it would reinforce the message that remaining calm is a pathway to treatsville. Even from visitors! 

  1. Employ Commands

If your pet starts to appear startled, use any of the basic commands, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Off” and “Lie Down” which are already in his vocabulary. 

Similarly, you should use a calming tone when doing this. It would serve to take away the building fear. This also indicates that your attention is still on him even with strangers around. 

Ensure that your guest’s manner is calming as well. No eye contact with your pet for the first minute or two a slow approach is one of the fundamentals. 

  1. Provide Safe Grounds

A secure, calming space where your pup can retire to when he’s spooked is pretty essential. You want him to retreat and not attack or face his fears if he’s feeling threatened. 

Apart from a crate, using a doggy gate is a good idea as well. The gate serves as a separation between your pup and your guest, and he can observe from a safe distance. 

Since he’s in a safe space, he can then evaluate the situation more calmly. And over time, you should be able to do introductions without any hassle. 

Related Articles

View All Articles

  • The Seven Oldest Breeds of Dogs

    The Seven Oldest Breeds of Dogs

    They are known as man’s best friend and recent research indicates that they may have been given this title longer than we first believed. Although many dog breeds date bac...

    Read More

  • They’ll Fight Like Cats and Dogs! Or will they?

    They’ll Fight Like Cats and Dogs! Or will they?

    As the saying goes, they’ll fight like cats and dogs… Not necessarily if you find the right dog. But what qualities does a dog need in order for it to get along well...

    Read More

  • Top Pups for First Time Dog Owners

    Top Pups for First Time Dog Owners

    Adding a dog to your family is a very fun and exciting part of life, however, does come with some challenges. Realistically, your pup is a part of your family and will be for ma...

    Read More

  • Tips for Keeping Your Pup Healthy in the Winter

    Tips for Keeping Your Pup Healthy in the Winter

    With winter here, we all know the challenges of staying warm and safe. We must also take into consideration the well-being of our pets as the temperature drops. Here are a few s...

    Read More

  • Top Five Dog Breeds Who Love to Play Outdoors

    Top Five Dog Breeds Who Love to Play Outdoors

    If you love spending time in the great outdoors and are considering adding a fur-legged friend to your family this blog is for you. Making sure you find a dog that enjoys spendi...

    Read More

  • Help! My Dog Ate Chocolate!

    Help! My Dog Ate Chocolate!

    We all know that the only time we should use the words chocolate and dog in the same sentence is when we use them to identify a “Chocolate Lab.” Chocolate, although ...

    Read More

  • Can Dogs Smell Cancer?

    Can Dogs Smell Cancer?

    Dogs have helped humans out over hundreds of years. From rescuing people, to tracking missing persons, to detecting bombs, to herding sheep. One of the most amazing abilities th...

    Read More

  • Separation Anxiety in Dogs

    Separation Anxiety in Dogs

    Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety experience tension, stress, mental discomfort, and confusion. This anxiety manifests when a dog feels insecure when left alone at home a...

    Read More

  • What are Roundworms in Dogs?

    What are Roundworms in Dogs?

    Roundworms are a parasite that can commonly affect house pets such as dogs and cats. There are two primary species of roundworms. The first is Toxocara Canis. This type of paras...

    Read More

  • Black Widows and Dogs

    Black Widows and Dogs

    We often associate our fur-legged friends being bit by ticks and fleas. These pesky creatures are known for their persistency and potential health risks. Ticks and fleas are par...

    Read More

  • Best Apartment Dog Breeds

    Best Apartment Dog Breeds

    Small living quarters does not mean having a dog is off limits. Generally speaking, larger dog breeds such as a German Shepherd or Husky do better with more spacious living area...

    Read More

  • Bacterial Infections in Dogs – What Is It, How Are They Caused, And How to Treat It?

    Bacterial Infections in Dogs – What Is It, How Are They Caused, And How to Treat It?

    If your dog has recently been diagnosed with a bacterial infection making sure he receives the proper care is crucial. There are many different types of bacterial infections, an...

    Read More

Help Need Help? Back to Top