Doggone Etiquette —

Weekend Guests

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

When people come to your house, you’re pleased to see them. Right? You wag your tail, lick their hands, maybe even offer them one of your toys. Then they get ready to leave and you see them to the door (that’s TO the door, not through it) and your life goes back to normal.                 

Then there are the people who arrive bringing things out of the car with them, and you are sure that they’re bringing something special for you. Not necessarily. They stay for the afternoon. Then they stay for dinner. Now you’re thinking, “It’s been nice to see you – but aren’t you ever going home?” These are family (or friends) who have been invited to stay for a weekend or a week, and it often happens around holidays. It’s no use escorting them to the door because your VI People will have already shown them where they’ll be sleeping.                               

Maybe tomorrow you can persuade them to play ball, take you for a walk, or share some of the holiday treats they’re gobbling up.

A Word to the Dog’s Owners:

Even very friendly dogs can occasionally sum up their welcome to visitors with a “Hi, how are you and when are you leaving?” This doggy message is pretty explicit when every time anyone in the room happens to stand up and the dog rushes to the door! Other dogs pretend to be asleep, but are secretly watching for that moment of departure, which is perfectly okay when friends have just dropped by for a brief visit. Quite likely you are the only ones who will notice it and may even be amused by it. However, when family or guests are invited to stay for a few days or more, there are certain things you can do to prepare Rufus for the invasion.

If your dog loves to have more people in the house, and thinks they were all invited just so he’ll get lots of attention, you’ve got it made. But some dogs (especially those whose home life is quiet and relatively routine) will react as if overnight guests are intruders, invaders of the dogs’ privacy. In other words, they don’t like having to share their family and their normal doggy life with others. Not really so strange.  Lots of young children react much the same way. Suddenly all the attention is given to the visitors, and the dog – or the child – feels neglected.                               

There’s no cause for alarm, but it pays to be alert to the situation because it could escalate as far as a snap or two from Rufus. The dog is not being vicious, but merely reminding the “invaders” of his No. 1 Canine position in the household. There’s one sure thing you can do to avoid any such mishap. (Oh, I know you know what’s coming!)

That one thing is, yes, “prevention.”                           

On the days leading up to the guests’ arrival, and during their stay, give Rufus individual attention whenever you possibly can. Let him know he’s still No. 1 with his very own people. Talk to him. Encourage him to come with you as you go from one room to another. Tell him how handsome he looks after you’ve groomed him. Verbal praise works wonders to dispel any insecurity he may feel. Rufus may be perfect about not begging when it’s just his normal family, but not appreciate having guests share your meals. Unless he is 100 percent reliable about staying in one out-of-the-way place during all mealtimes, put him where he cannot escape and make sure he does not think he’s being punished.       

Let your guests know where the dog’s treats are stored and what the daily limit is. Or, since this is party time, what the limit is supposed to be. Show them how to have Rufus do any tricks he can do to earn a treat, as well as their admiration.               

If for any reason at all you cannot handle the dog along with the prolonged entertainment of house guests, don’t banish the dog to the basement or garage. Rufus may do well with the individual attention of a pet-sitter for few hours a day, or in a reputable boarding kennel for your guests’ entire stay. I hear most of you saying, “No way!

Rufus is family and stays here. We’ll make it work.” Good for you and good for Rufus!

Until next time - Be Good!

-  Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award this year.