How to Prepare Your Dog for Guests This Spring & Summer

How to Prepare Your Dog for Guests This Spring & Summer

As the weather warms up, the backyard barbecues, birthday parties, and casual weekend hangouts start rolling in. And while you might be looking forward to seeing friends and family, your dog might need some help getting comfortable. Some dogs get overly excited, others anxious, and a few might even become protective or reactive when new people enter their space.

At Bullys Behaven, we believe a well-prepared dog helps for a stress-free party—for both dogs and humans. Here’s how to set your dog up for success when guests start coming around more often.

1. Brush Up on the Basics

Before the doorbell rings, make sure your dog has a solid grasp of basic obedience—especially commands like:

• Sit

• Stay

• Place (go to a specific spot, like a bed or mat)

• Leave it

• Come

These commands are helpful for managing excitement, redirecting unwanted behaviors, and keeping your dog calm when the environment gets busy.

2. Create a Safe Space

Not every dog wants to be in the middle of the action—and that’s okay. Give your dog the option to retreat somewhere quiet, like a crate in a back room or a comfy bed in a low-traffic area. Make that space positive by adding toys, chews, or a frozen treat.

This is especially helpful for dogs who get overwhelmed, anxious, or overstimulated by noise and new people.

3. Practice Calm Greetings

If your dog tends to jump, bark, or go into overdrive when someone comes in the door, don’t wait for the real thing to practice. Set up mock greetings with friends or family:

• Keep your dog on a leash at first.

• Ask your guests to ignore the dog until they’re calm.

• Reward calm behavior with praise or treats.

• Only allow petting and attention when your dog is relaxed.

This helps your dog learn that calm behavior = positive attention.

4. Watch the Food!

Barbecues mean burgers, hot dogs, chips, and more—often at nose level for your pup. Guarding behavior and begging can pop up quickly in these situations.

• Manage access: Use gates, leashes, or placement training to keep your dog out of the dining area.

• Teach “leave it”: This is one of the best commands to prevent counter surfing or snatching food off low tables.

• Remind your guests: Let them know not to feed your dog human food (unless you say it’s okay).

5. Don’t Skip Exercise

A tired dog is a well-behaved dog. Give your pup a solid walk, play session, or training routine before guests arrive. This helps take the edge off their energy and makes them more likely to relax during your gathering.

6. Know When to Step In

If your dog starts showing signs of stress—pacing, lip licking, yawning, or hiding—it’s okay to remove them from the party. Giving them time to decompress isn’t just kind, it also prevents unwanted behaviors from escalating.

7. Consider a Training Tune-Up

Every dog is different. Some just need a refresher, while others might benefit from professional support—especially if guarding, fear, or reactivity is involved.

We offer personalized training to help your dog handle real-world situations like this. Whether you want to fine-tune obedience or work through problem behaviors, we’re here to help you and your dog enjoy the season.

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You don’t have to choose between a social life and a well-behaved dog. With preparation, consistency, and a little guidance, your dog can become the kind of guest everyone loves to have around—or at least one who can peacefully coexist with your party crowd.

Need help getting your dog ready for guests?

Contact us today to learn more about our training programs in Jackson, NJ and the surrounding areas.