Dogs are part of our family, and as such they meet the people that make up that family – friends included. When you bring a new dog home or have a new person in your life, it’s important to know how your dog will react to not only new environments, but the people in them.
It’s common for a lot of dog owners to thrust new people into their dog’s lives without much consideration. We tend to assume our dog is friendly and unbothered by strangers, but the truth is that it can be very stressful. So, to be responsible dog parents we need to consider a few things when it comes to introducing our dogs to new people.
- Have a plan
If you know that a new person or people are going to be around your dog, create a plan in advance of that interaction. Friendly, outgoing dogs make it rather easy to bring new people around, but it can still save you a lot of trouble by knowing how the other people feel about dogs. Take their level of comfortability into consideration – maybe your dog should be unable to approach the guest upon arrival – giving everyone time to settle in before introductions.
If your dog is known to be reactive, plan to have him leashed or crated to avoid conflict. And if he is medicated for anxiety, try to time the delivery of those meds so that they reach maximum efficiency when the new people arrive. - Take it slow
Time and time again, dog trainers and veterinarians hear horror stories about dogs acting out when rushed into meeting strangers. You want to set your dog up for success when it comes to meeting new people. This means you should take it slow, read your dog’s body language and give him plenty of space to retreat to a safe, quiet place he enjoys. By giving your dog grace and time, he can begin to associate the new people with positive and calm feelings. - Leash your dog
Even if your dog is friendly, have him on a leash when being introduced to someone new. This will give you control if things go awry because, let’s face it, our dogs can surprise us from time to time. Especially if the new person is scared of dogs or potentially intimidating in stature or size. Again, it’s all about setting everyone up for a successful and positive first interaction. - Treats
Food is a fantastic motivator for even the most stubborn and shy dogs. A great way to have your dog associate strangers with positivity is to have your friend or family member provide the dog with a treat at greeting. It’s best to begin by having the person toss the dog a treat from a few feet away. This gives everyone that much needed space, but allows the dog to have a positive association with the person. The distance can decrease with time and good behavior.