Dogs are social animals and like to be around people. However, some dogs get too excited when they see a stranger and may start jumping on them or barking.
This can be embarrassing and annoying for the dog owner and the stranger. In this blog post, we will discuss why dogs get excited around strangers and how to stop it from happening.
Why Does My Dog Get Too Excited Around Strangers?
If your dog can’t hold back its excitement when someone comes over to your home, you may be confused as to why this is happening. After all, you’re just happy to see your friends and family members – why can’t your dog be the same way?
Here are some of the most common reasons that your dog gets hyped up:
They Want to Protect You
Some dogs may get excited because they think that the stranger is a threat to you and they want to protect you. They may not necessarily be aggressive, but they may be doing this because they’re on edge and feel the need to be hyper-alert when someone comes over.
They’re Anxious or Stressed
Another reason that your dog may be getting too excited around strangers is that they’re anxious or stressed. This can be caused by a number of things, including separation anxiety, a fear of loud noises, and even just general anxiety. If your dog is anxious, it may start to pant or pace around when someone comes over, and this can escalate into them getting too excited.
They’re Excited to Play
Dogs are social creatures and some of them just get really excited when they see people because they want to play with them. Especially if your dog is cooped up inside all day, they may see a stranger as an opportunity to get some much-needed exercise and entertainment.
Your Dog Is a Puppy
If your dog is a puppy, it may get too excited because it’s still learning how to socialize and interact with people. Puppies are known for their boundless energy and enthusiasm, so it’s not surprising that they may get a little too excited when someone comes over.
How to Get My Dog to Be Calmer Around Strangers?
Here are some of the best ways to calm down your dog when it’s around strangers:
Don’t Encourage Excitement
One of the worst things you can do when your dog is getting too excited around strangers is to encourage their excitement. If you start petting them or speaking to them in a high-pitched voice, they may think that you’re just as excited as they are and this will make them even more hyped up.
Ignore Your Dog
Sometimes, the best way to get your dog to calm down is to simply ignore them. If you act like they’re not even there, they may eventually start to settle down. Of course, this won’t work for all dogs, but it’s worth a try. This excitable behavior is often a bid for affection.
Try to Distract Them
If your dog is starting to get too excited, try to distract them with a toy or treat. This will help to take their mind off of the stranger and hopefully calm them down.
Teach Them to “Sit” or “Stay”
Another way to help calm your dog down is to teach them the commands “sit” or “stay.” If you can get them to focus on you and not the stranger, they may start to calm down.
Exercise Them Before Guests Arrive
If you know that you’re going to have guests over, try to exercise your dog before they arrive. A long walk or run will help to tire them out and hopefully make them calmer when the guests come.
Give Them a Time-Out
If your dog is still getting too excited around strangers, you may need to give them a time-out. This means putting them in another room or in their crate for a few minutes until they calm down.
Hire a Behaviorist
If you’ve tried all of these things and your dog is still getting too excited around strangers, you may want to consider hiring a behaviorist. A behaviorist can help you to figure out why your dog is behaving this way and how to best stop it.
They will also be able to give you more personalized advice on how to deal with your dog’s excitement and provide you with a routine that will help reduce its stress and anxiety.
Get a Calming Vest For Your Dog
If your dog has anxiety or is prone to getting too excited, you may want to invest in a calming vest. These vests are designed to help calm dogs down and they can be a great way to keep your dog calm in stressful situations.
They work by applying gentle pressure to your dog’s body, which has a calming effect. You can put it on before your guests arrive, during walks, or during any other excitable or stressful times for your pup. Dog owners claim that the calming effects happen instantly.
Try Calming Supplements
There are also a number of calming supplements on the market that can help to calm your dog down. These supplements usually contain ingredients like chamomile or lavender, which have calming properties.
CBD supplements also work well for some dogs. In addition to its calming effects, it can help with inflammation and pain as well.
Train Your Dog to Properly Greet Guests
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to train your dog to properly greet guests:
- Start with basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. As your dog masters these commands, you’ll be able to move on to more difficult ones.
- When a guest comes over, have them wait at the door while you give your dog the command to sit. If they do not obey, gently guide them into the sitting position
- .Once your dog is sitting, have the guest come in and pet them while they remain in the sitting position.
- If they start to get too excited, give the command to stay and have the guest step away until your dog calms down.
- After a few times of doing this, your dog should start to understand that they need to remain calm when guests are over. Reward your pup with treats and praise whenever they do a good job.
Training a dog not only makes it easier to control and calm it down, but it often helps to make the dog feel better as well. They know clear expectations and what is expected of them, which can help to ease anxiety.