It’s hard to believe, but yes, there are people who are simply not comfortable around dogs. Maybe they had a bad experience at some point, maybe they aren’t a fan of getting dog hair on their clothes, or maybe they just aren’t animal people.
Working on the assumption that non-pet people still have many admirable qualities, and that you may have a few in your family or social circles with whom you’d like to remain on good terms, it’s important to figure out the logistics involved when having them over to your home.
Aside from preference, there are other reasons a person may not want to be around your dog. An elderly relative, for example, may love dogs but could easily be knocked off balance by an exuberant pet. The same goes for a toddler, or someone who is unwell. Anyone with dog allergies will be uncomfortable regardless of how much they enjoy your dog. In any scenario, you need to plan ahead.
Our pet experts have worked with thousands of families with every kind of challenge imaginable and have a few tips to prepare for these types of interactions.
A manners refresher
Before your guest comes to the house, preferably with a few days to practice, spend some time reviewing important commands like sit, down, come, and stay. These can be reinforced through everyday occurrences, like commanding your dog to sit and stay before feeding. Reestablish your position as the pack leader; expecting your guests to command your dog to stop jumping, for example, is unrealistic and likely to prove ineffective.
Next, tackle behaviors that are a problem when people arrive at your home, like jumping up on guests or barking at them. These issues are a bit trickier to work on; if they are severe or if you don’t feel you are making progress, talk to us about a Manners or eManners consult. Our trainers can walk you through the best ways to discourage the behavior.
Designated areas
Create pet-free zones in the house, or keep pets away from the kitchen and dining room if your guest is sharing a meal with you. Our Invisible Fence® Indoor Shields® provide effective containment without the inconvenience of baby gates or other physical barriers.
Distraction and rewards
If it’s easiest to keep your dog in a separate room during your guest’s visit, such as in a bedroom or home office, be sure to set them up with something fun to focus on. With a special occasion bone or toy to hold their attention, they are less likely to show their displeasure by shredding a pillow or eating your paperwork. As always, be sure they have fresh water available wherever they stay; and when your guest leaves, be sure to reward your dog’s compliance by giving them a command, and when they respond correctly, give them plenty of praise, attention, and play time.
With some forethought and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can easily accommodate a non-dog person in your home in a way that is comfortable for all involved. Who knows! Maybe with a few positive experiences, you might even get them to view dogs with a fresh outlook.