Door greetings can be chaos: knocking, doorbells, excited voices—and a dog launching like a pogo stick. The fix is to give your dog a clear job and pay generously for calm. With a little setup and consistent rules, you can transform mayhem into a quiet, waggy welcome.
Step 1: Pre‑Train the Skills Away from the Door
- Mat or bed cue: Teach your dog to go to a mat and lie down. Reward relaxation—chin on paws earns bonus treats.
- Sit with duration: Build to 10–20 seconds of calm sit while you step away and return.
- Leave it: Useful for dropped items and over‑excited moments.
Step 2: Dress Rehearsal Without Guests
Set the scene. Play a doorbell sound on your phone. Cue “mat,” reward rapid‑fire for calm, then walk to the door and back. Repeat until your dog hears the cue and trots to the mat automatically. Use a leash at first if your dog tries to sprint past.
Step 3: Add People—One at a Time
- Have a friend text before they arrive. Stage treats near the mat.
- When they knock, cue “mat.” Feed a treat every 2–3 seconds initially for quiet behavior.
- Only open the door when your dog is calm. If they pop up, close the door quietly, reset, and try again.
Reward the Behavior You Want
Ask guests to ignore jumping—no eye contact, no talk, no touch—until four paws are on the floor. Then cue a sit and let your guest deliver a treat for calm. Record a few practice sessions so you can spot where excitement spikes and adjust.
Common Pitfalls (and Fixes)
- Inconsistency: If one family member allows jumping, progress stalls. Align rules.
- Too long, too soon: Keep initial greetings under 30 seconds. End on a win and give your dog a chew in another room.
- Underpaid behavior: Early on, pay like a slot machine. Fade gradually as the habit sticks.
Tools That Help
Baby gates create distance; a leash adds control without physical wrestling. Sticky note reminders—“Cue mat before opening!”—help guests and family stay consistent.
With structure and practice, your dog learns that calm greeting = attention and rewards. The doorbell turns into a cue for manners, not mayhem.
