we have a golden retreiver, Libby, approx. 4 years old - she is generally well behaved, and smart - only one problem we have not been able to solve - when we have visitors, she goes "crazy" - she gets so excited - annoying visitors - wanting their attention - sticking her nose where it shouldn't be, etc. not so much jumping up on them - just being a nuisance - the only trick I've found so far is to give her big chew bone - she will go off and chew on that for awhile but usually returns for more attention. What I would like is for her to sit patiently when visitors come in the door, get a pat on the head and then go lay down. Any ideas on how I could accomplish this? Thanks for any suggestions.

My dog is similar to this when people come to our house, but mine likes to jump up a lick!

Normally I just call her off and shes ok, but I still dont want her doing it in the first place.

I'm afraid you are going to have to train your visitors.

Everyone that comes in, make sure they fold their arms, give the dog no eye contact at all and don't speak - even to you.

Eventually, the dog will calm down and go away.
When the dog is calm and shuffles quietly up to the visitor again, they are allowed to give the dog a small pat. If she gets giddy, repeat the above.

It's a little embarrassing and you must do it with everybody that she jumps up at, but eventually she will get the message.

I once saw a tv programme where somebody was having similar problems except the dog was aggressive towards visitors.

I seem to remember that they did something akin to clicker training but dropped a large bunch of keys whenever the dog came out from it's sleeping quarters.

Originally Posted by Dopeydawg

I'm afraid you are going to have to train your visitors.
Everyone that comes in, make sure they fold their arms, give the dog no eye contact at all and don't speak - even to you.
Eventually, the dog will calm down and go away.
When the dog is calm and shuffles quietly up to the visitor again, they are allowed to give the dog a small pat. If she gets giddy, repeat the above.
It's a little embarrassing and you must do it with everybody that she jumps up at, but eventually she will get the message.

Thanks for the Dopey I think thats great advice, Im sure our visitors wont mind doing lol. She just gets all excited because she wants the atention but by ignoring her she will soon calm down. Thanks!

Originally Posted by karenvt

the only trick I've found so far is to give her big chew bone - she will go off and chew on that for awhile but usually returns for more attention. What I would like is for her to sit patiently when visitors come in the door, get a pat on the head and then go lay down. Any ideas on how I could accomplish this? Thanks for any suggestions.

I know this sounds kinda stupid, but have you ever thought that the reason she is so exuberant around visitors is because of the chew bone? I mean, dogs are like children, they will do anything to get what they want. If that means annoying visitors to get a chew bone, they'll do it. I think you should do what Dopey said, tell your visitors to completely ignore her when she's acting like that, and only give her attention when she comes up to them quietly.

Sounds like it a lot!!! I would try that first.

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I think your dog is asking some attention. With the way he acts it’s like a child curious of something. I think Dopeydawg suggestion could work a lot. You only need to ask your visitor about it before coming inside your house. Thanks for the info Dopeydawg.

Sounds like a "lab thing" .. My lab does that constantly. Visitors all think she is crazy. She got out of the peeing all over the place thing.. but still does on occasion. She would jump on the couch and just go totally nuts when someone would come over and even pee on it.. there was nothing I could do..but people looked at me grossed out like.. you let your dog do that?? Also looked at me like..you have a 2.5 year old daughter...what are you doing with a dog this hyper.

She is such a good dog though when she gets settled with visitors.

thanks everyone for your suggestions - I'll try the one about visitors ignoring her but not sure that will work.

He's probably just really friendly, just be glad that he isn't aggressive towards visitors. My dogs does this. If they just ignore him they should be okay.