Project Calm Dog: Prevent Over Enthusiastic Greetings

[@DogsThat]

Download Your Door Sign: PDF Poster for Project Calm Dog - dogsthat.com/project-calm-dog/

[@kjcga4842]

Love it! Thank you!

[@ramensoup762]

I've always struggled with how people greet my dogs and felt awkward to tell them dos and donts. Imma give this a shot!

[@Lavenderrose73]

​@@ramensoup762 oh I hear you, they don't realize when they say "oh it's okay if she jumps on me" that we're trying to teach that dog it's not ok to jump on others either.

[@haleyheffley2501]

I absolutely LOVE that you shared the sign. I was thinking I need to make one as I listened to this podcast. I’ve literally been texting everyone that visits my house beforehand with instructions on how they need to ignore Ellie (my standard poodle) when they come over. I’ve also given instructions on not calling her name because I’ve built so much value into it. I recently listened to the podcast where Susan said it really bugged her when people give her dogs commands or try to train her dogs. I’ve run into that too, so I tell people not to say anything to the dog. My husband thought I was being rude the first time I told someone to stop telling my dog to sit, siiiiit, siiiiiiit. I said sit means sit here and not move from that position. 😂

[@aslrunner]

Good stuff here. Case in point, I ignore the dog when I come home and when I let him out of the crate in the morning, my husband does not. He greets and pets him and get's him all wound up. Then hubby asked me the other evening, "Why does doggo go nuts when I get home climbing all over me?" Gee, could it be because you've taught him that DAD = DOG TIME!?! I think so.

[@EvrShop-lp8en]

My dog Lucy is pretty good about door manners with one exception. Tea time with my young neighbour whom Lucy adores. My tea prep is her cue. Doesn’t matter how I adjust my tea routine, she knows who is coming, waits patiently and is overjoyed to welcome her good friend back.

[@wendyfisher3982]

Our Golden Retriever has EGD (Excessive Greeting Disorder!) too...largely caused by our joy in seeing him when we come home. Thank you for sharing how our reactions can cause him anxiety and how to be part of the solution!

[@laurenbuchanan5861]

My dog loved your crazy opening! He was looking at the TV and tilting his head furiously lol

[@RebeccaAnnFord]

OMG! I SO needed this! My dog does circles and circles of excitement and whining around other people and I'm probably the worst culprit about greeting my dog with joy when I get home!! LOL Good Lord. I'm going to make these changes starting next time I go home, and with the sign! Thank you for doing this video!

[@sophiesmith5922]

This is sooo true! My dog knows by which shoes I put on whether she will be going out with me or not. TV time, however, includes brief training moment followed by go to bed with an awesome treat. So as darkness falls, tv comes on, dog is READY TO WORK! for the awesome treat.

[@ASentientPlant]

Thanks for the free download Susan!! We have been working on calm entrances and exits. I was guilty of throwing a party with the dogs when I got home; it was one of the best parts of the day, bc i dont like my job, & depression 😂😂

[@catherineluu2230]

I wish my dog (adopted him at 7 months and he was born during the pandemic) would be happy when people enter the house... He feels like he needs to defend the fortress and will run at people to growl/bark at them which has led to me making other modifications for when people come over. He is fine if people walk by us while completely ignoring us but if they start talking to me or acknowledge him, he starts to bark and feel threatened. I'm super curious about what you did to help This! like strangers more and would love a podcast episode about helping dogs who lack confidence/are fearful about new people.

[@sethdaughtry7210]

Thank you, Susan!! I've been saying for a year I cannot train my puppy because I cannot train the people! lo' and behold!! I didn't realize I was one of the people creating the problem. We are a 3 generational household and everyone seems to have their own way. Well, I'm working on that but most of all will now work on ME! From my precious 18 month old Rotty and myself - there are no words to thank you enough! I subbed on watching your first video (podcast). Have a notebook full of notes from your instructions. You are a guardian angel to Man's Best Friend 🙂 Cindy D.

[@DogsThat]

Thank you for subscribing and for your lovely note 🧡 You've got this!

[@inezhoffman3807]

A sign? Yes, please! This is especially timely for us. We are looking forward to a long overdue visit from my pup’s co-owner. I don’t want it to dissolve into a scene from a three penny opera!

[@rallykukkaset]

Perfect beginning of the podcast😂😂😂

[@pascaleburnet7583]

I wish I had the sign yesterday :) 6 new people in the house was not easy for my pups :) going to download and print it ! Thank you!

[@wolffdogs1]

“Footballs on the sidewalk!”🤭

[@aleciacope3503]

Love you're new hair style!

[@Mentalhealthmattersthemost]

Love this video! Like EVERYTHING about it. You're on point with these valuable videos. And for this Thank You.

[@evel_things]

I have seen that too, the eye contact and talking to the dog about how they're supposed to ignore them! I have a service dog and over the years I've gotten a leash wrap, a patch, a hang tag that specify NO EYE CONTACT. People still don't always care, but I haven't figured out how to train random strangers as easily as my dogs

[@Marti1951]

Great example your intro to the show! You crack me up. You make it so CLEAR, I love thinking in terms of DOG TIME or Uh, it's not DOG TIME. THE THING BEFORE THE THING is a mental revolution for me. I had a person who doesn't really appreciate Border Collies tell me, "At least he has a really great off switch." High praise indeed from a person who gives us a lot of time with her. THANK YOU! I have some people who love to get my dog revved up at the door. CRAZY TIME! We are yet to work on that. Intentional Triggers is KEY! Nice time to discover this pod cast.

[@amybergquist9021]

I love the poster and the strategy! I've been using the sign for a few weeks now. We don't have a lot of visitors, but it's a good reminder for folks who come by. My dog loves people and has a tendency to jump up on them if he doesn't get attention from them in the first few seconds when he's doing 4 on the floor. He's small, but just big enough that when he does jump up, he can get his nose into a person's crotch or butt, and he finds those sniffs very reinforcing! I don't feel like I can ask my guests to let my dog probe their nether-regions with his nose, and he will do this even if they turn around and freeze with their back or side to him. So I've been keeping my dog on leash to deprive him of access to visitors while they ignore him. My dog finds this leashing very stressful, since he really wants to go meet the visitors. My strategy has been to wait with him on leash, keeping distance from the visitors (to the extent possible), and then once he is back to relative calm with me, I will gradually take him closer to where the visitors are and do some hand targets, then go back to a quieter area, and then if he can remain calm, I'll ask for a hand target and then give him permission to "go see" a visitor. In circumstances where I can't remove him from where the visitor is, I'll get him in his elevated bed (leash still on) and feed him treats and drop more treats into the bed until he releases tension on the leash. Once he's calm I will let him out of the bed and let him "go see" the visitor briefly. After rewatching the video, I'm not sure my modifications are the best strategy. If visitors come and the dog is on leash and pulling at his leash to get at the visitors, I'm not really communicating that it isn't "dog time." It seems like there are a lot of layers to the behavior I'm looking for (not jumping up, not seeking attention from visitors, not pulling at the leash) and I'm lumping everything. I know crating might seem like a solution but I don't want him to see his crate as punishment in this context, and he would definitely be anxious in his crate if he knew there were visitors in the house. We've worked on hot zone but having people nearby would be a level 10+ distraction. The best behavior I can get from him when he is in the presence of a new visitor is a hand target, and I often can't even get a hand target if he can see the visitor. But again, hand targets (or lots of treats in his hot zone) suggest "dog time." Is leashing the right approach? What else should I be doing to help my dog in these challenging situations?

[@hibiscus09]

I just made my sign. Thank you!

[@DogsThat]

Wonderful! 💚

[@WendyWahman]

Downloading and printing it out right now, thank you so much!

[@ingridcranton5445]

This has been a challenge for me for months!! Thank you!! I am implementing this NOW!

[@tracymills3174]

Thank you! Thank you! Great teaching and tools to help my excited greeter learn calmer ways! ❤️

[@haventli]

Excellent. I've been struggling with this. I'll work on implementing this with what I learned in Recallers too!

[@hankaskacanova7500]

Loooved this episode, I think we All needed this 🙏🥰

[@MissBelleABall]

My dog has great calm greetings but I was lured here by Taters butt on the thumbnail. Great episode 😊

[@Blitsun]

Just like with kids. SNAP!

[@janegilbert9851]

Fantastic podcast, brilliant idea about the poster and yes I shall download one. Can’t wait to get my next visitor. 😊 thank you.

[@kwlovesb]

This just popped up in my feed, and I sooo needed it today! Thank you! (My Airedale puppy, Hugo, thinks it's always Dog Time, and yes, it's my fault.😬)

[@DogsThat]

We're so glad it was helpful! Feel free to look around the channel, we have playlists with help for different challenges, as well as hundreds of videos with tips and step-by-step training ❤️

[@hannie0502]

This is so helpful! Thank you!

[@dianemccurdy5312]

Great idea.

[@rosieleat6868]

Wow this is just the best podcast! Especially the ‘dog time’ part because lately when I start working my wee dog comes to the chair and so cutely puts her paw on my arm and gives me the big eyes and I come away from my work! Eeeep! Should I just ignore her or tell her to go on her mat or what?! Ack! Okay, going to go now and sing the song of my people 😂

[@robinsonkw44]

My challenge is not so much with people coming to the door, but when we meet people on our walks. He's fine with people who ignore him, but the people who get excited to see him and want to immediately interact with him are the challenge. He gets so excited, and at 5 months and 65 lbs, it's becoming a control issue. It's hard telling them to ignore him!

[@qwertykotchka394]

exactly the same issue

[@DogsThat]

It's on our suggestion list for podcast topics, Kathleen!

[@nagana1]

@@DogsThat oh I would like to hear it too. My 6 months cairn is able to ignore people on walks even when passing by close, but as soon as somebody shows any sign of interaction with him he is going crazy excited. It is so hard to stop people from doing that as he is such a sweet puppy. This is drivig me crazy.

[@MrAlx1973]

Mine is the same, it’s from a place of fear….I would love Susan’s advice on this x

[@lirilane5190]

I have been lucky with Liris. When i go outside with her, she is alway calm. Sometimes she even lays down on the bed.... The reason for this is because it takes alot of time for me to get ready and go. And often times I forget things etc. I also gave her kibble as a reward when she was a puppy for this calm behaviour. And when I get home I greet her softly/gently and then proceed to remove my outside-clothes which takes forever. She usually keeps laying down, not even budging. I sometimes wonder if I am perhaps doing the wrong thing but your video helped me with this: having her calm is better than being over-excited. But she doesn't like being left alone so she is not fully trained at that part... My problem is when we get to my parents house. Then its dog time x 10000 and she is a whirlwind and everywhere and nowhere at the same time. :)

[@michellecuevas5243]

This was very helpful, thanks!

[@DogsThat]

Thank you, Michelle! Happy training 🐾

[@trillianmcmillian2660]

but its so hard i love that he is excited to see me! calm for others sure lol 😂

[@lindamcmanus5807]

Good video... My dogs act like your video when the door opens and I come in the house. They go nuts.... I will down load your calm-dog

[@GentleRayneASMR]

LOL I love this one, so funny! DOG TIME!! ^_^

[@trillianmcmillian2660]

ok i will! ❤

[@azogal53]

Novel solution to an age old problem.Gotta try this!🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪

[@KarlaandZac]

I have a problem with is episode.🥲the thing is that I live alone with my dog, Zulli. And the thing I love the most when I come home, from anything where I can’t take her with me, is her loving enthusiastic greeting. No she doesn’t jump up, but she comes to me body waggling, and I give her an enthusiastic pat, then I get my stuff out of the car and we go inside - usually it’s from the garage. Also if I spend too long ignoring her, say I’m on the computer, she comes and nudges me saying” hey I’m here” and I give her a pat and often it’s time to play a short game- good for her, and good for me. A mini break. It something I love and I don’t want to change it. I feel loved and frankly I would feel really bad ignoring her love for five minutes. Love is spontaneously instant. Surely that’s not wrong?

[@Mentalhealthmattersthemost]

Singing the songs of the people 😂😂😂

[@AgileCait]

How can I mellow out my very high drive agility dog? The moment I take her out of the crate at a trial she amps from 0 to 100. In that state she is almost impossible to hold together during our run. I have tried creating in the car, waiting to take her out of the crate in the building until the dog before us enters the ring, doing no warm-up jump, staying far from the ring until the moment we must enter for our run,, waiting quietly in a down with treats to keep her excitement level down, doing treated tricks and stretches to keep her focused, but none of those strategies keep her calm once we stare walking toward the ring. She is very high in practice too, but not as much as in a trial. She is extremely fast and enthusiastic, which I love, but a little more calmness sure would help. I saw you years ago at a trial with Buzz,so I know you have managed to do well with a similar level of dog enthusiasm and mania!

[@DogsThat]

Hi Christie, we've got a whole playlist for high drive dogs to help: kzbin.info/aero/PLphRRSxcMHy3tN5Z336OeZkYoF2dJ7gNY

[@i4nc4]

Id love an outline of your morning routine. If you feed and train etc at 7am, do you set a a 4am start ? My previous morning meditation and fitness routine is almost non existent. I can only think to start waking even earlier to schedule it all in

[@nancyhooper1742]

Cool, question if I come home and let them out of their crates,we normally play time so do I still make it quite time ? I give treats when I leave but don't say anything and leave by backdoor to make it less stressful. Great podcast as always ❤️❤️❤️❤️⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@diaml]

Thank you, Susan! Do you have a podcast on or tips for dogs that are over-excited when greeting strangers out in public? Thanks!

[@DogsThat]

Hi @diaml - yes! Here's where you can watch - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6qXfIiJeMhmmdksi=v59rO5eKAPoDIuLu We have a playlist for excited greetings too - kzbin.info/aero/PLphRRSxcMHy3KQXSC-3IzEdBgBetrl2YP&si=od7TIpAWavp85_d_

[@diaml]

@@DogsThat Thanks so much!!!

[@jennybarnett8047]

I get this, love this, I need to do this, I can totally do this. Though my five year old dog is jumping on people and hurting them. How do we ignore that behavior?

[@DogsThat]

Hi @jennybarnett8047 we have another video specifically for jumping up on people to help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6qXfIiJeMhmmdk

[@TaylorMorley11]

I have an overexcited & reactive/anxious dog. He is overly excited at the door. I am totally going to do this & already posted the signs. I watch a couple other dogs at my home on occasion. I live in a duplex on the top floor. I have a very large dog that jumps/lunges when guests come. I can easily follow this method when I am coming home or if it is just a person coming inside but I was wondering what advice you would have for a person entering my home with another dog? My kitchen is separate from the living room area & the door to my apartment leads into the kitchen. When a dog enters my apartment my dog will practically break the gate pushing it down. Any advice to improve this?

[@sophieverdegaal4045]

This video is great!!! I’m only left wondering how to have calm greetings when I take my puppy to visit another household (which is very frequent for us). She can be out-of-control enthusiastic…! Thank you!

[@DogsThat]

Hi Sophie, thank you so much for tuning in and your lovely comment. For away from home, the video covering jumping up has lots of tips that can be applied to help - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6qXfIiJeMhmmdk

[@gisealdunn8]

I have done calm leaving and arrivals since we got our hound mix, but no matter what I have tried, When Samson hears someone walking up to the door he goes absolutely crazy. If I do not allow him to greet visitors he will bark incessantly until they leave or I introduce them. I'm at my wits end.

[@dianaliddelow7691]

I'm knitting a greyhound.

[@TheMeganWho]

What about doorbell barking? Even if guests are calm

[@Kate98755]

one pattern my pup knows....it's nap time....sometimes she protests for a few seconds, because she didn't know she was tired.

[@francescampbell9528]

Hi Susan love your podcasts/videos. I've a rescue v anxious mini Jack Russell who barks and jumps up at greetings.because he's so small he's got away with it. Apart from barking which is annoying now with a toddler it's essential to train dog. Any suggestions

[@DogsThat]

Hi Frances, thank you for your lovely note and for watching our videos. We have a playlist to help with jumping up, calmer greetings and relaxing - kzbin.info/aero/PLphRRSxcMHy3KQXSC-3IzEdBgBetrl2YP

[@microfocusenablementvideos4671]

I had noticed that when i picked up the leash, the "tinkling" of some attached keys got my dog running. Dog Time. Simple. Now I have noticed: I listen to podcasts on speaker during walks. Now when I start a podcast, dog comes running. Any podcast. I talk on speaker phone all the time. Any idea what my dog is triggering on? Not important, but, IMHO, weird.

[@MrAlx1973]

Loved this, my dogs bark at people not in a happy way, they are more alert barking & it goes on & on…..I have a young dog that has learnt to do the same but is taking it to the next level where she’s super vigilant in case people walking on our lane are coming in, it’s coming from a place of fear but now I’m sure is also rehearsal, any tips? 😊

[@DogsThat]

Hi Alex, so glad to see you enjoyed this video! Check out this playlist on Fearful Dogs Help with Susan Garrett kzbin.info/aero/PLphRRSxcMHy0KAsqgnkMWv0v-5JGjNQG_

[@sophiesmith5922]

How about some advice on environmental and routine changes? First, my older dog got so bad we removed the crates because once she was in, she couldnt get out. But the younger one was trained to crate when we had guests or during meal time. Without the crate and the other dog present, she is lost, as go to bed means.. well... not the same thing. Retraining this dog at 9 years old is weird.

[@DANIELLE-gq6ct]

What about when leaving them? I always say good by and you gotta stay here but ill be home and he knows I'm leaving without him and also looks kinda 😥

[@leftieknitter7392]

How do I get my dogs to be calm when we arrive home and come to open door? They go nuts.

[@agiusbennett]

The problem I am having is, everyone who wants to meet my big boy, Steven, they would have a high energy and my dog just gets so excited. It is hard to get him to sit and be calm. My Steven Boy is a Cane Corso at 100lbs, and I would like him to be calmer, because I do not want him to hurt anyone; Plus, he has, what is called, the long tongue syndrome, so that is an extra attraction to people, because, well he looks quit cute and big. Anyway, I will start to really push on people to not look at him, talk to him or touch him, but I must say, it is directing the people I find most difficult. I will also make the sign. I usually baby gate Steven in the bedroom until he is calm, yet a friend finally said, "Oh, let him out", and like an idiot, I did. :-)

[@DogsThat]

It's not easy, but you can totally do it, you're your dog's best advocate 🐾

[@JenWoodring]

What about when our Rover shows up to actually do Dog Time?

[@sybiljensen189]

Hi would over enthusiasm on greeting friends on the street be effective if I asked the person not look or talk to dog. My dog gets over excited when we meet people I know. Thankyou.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Sybil, for when you are out and about, we've another video for greetings with strategies - kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6qXfIiJeMhmmdk

[@anna7bel1]

Dog actually tries to undress me, coming and going. She’s not asking. She says it’s dog time. I’ve gotta figure out how to turn this around.

[@mamaartist]

What if the person coming over is also bringing their dog?

[@Kate98755]

i let my grandkids have one excited greeting, then they and the parents had to ignore the dog while she calmed down...and now they are instructed chill in the greeting, no fetch until she simmers down...i have a wrought iron fence, i kept having neighbors come up to greet the puppy...i held the puppy back and they didn't take the hint, the last time this woman called my puppy over....she wwnt running to the fence, forced me to give some instruction to the puppy, positively...because it wasn't the puppy's fault....and this interrupted a wait to calm for my grandkids to play with her, so annoying, this woman only came over to see the puppy...hello another human you could greet...but didn't you see i have visitors ? our side yard has a path on the other side of the fence, if i let this cute puppy greet every person it'll be all day long, my puppy learned very quickly with praise and cookies...ignore the people and dogs walking by....people you don't even know can play havoc with the training. i'm still trying to build the chill inside skill, i've had to put the fetch balls away...i have built in steps towards events, like meal time and bedtime...i did the same with my kids, i'm a pattern person, so it is helpful to make think of ways i can show my pup visitors are coming, thanks!

[@engransingleton2546]

Do you have a podcast regarding the doorbell? Gracie starts barking even if it's on the television. Also, if she hears something outside and thinks someone is coming she'll look at the door and bark. I tell her thank you, but how do I stop it at that point? I have taken her out to see no one is there a few times. Don't want to create another bad habit though.

[@DogsThat]

Hi Engran, looking at behavior chains will help, as will recording keeping. Here's a video to start with for the foundations of what to look for: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmPRZqt9d9qJnqc

[@judyrubin7860]

I’ve been struggling with this for a long time. I don’t have many visitors, but when I do, Izzy goes nuts. I’ve been working on having her stay on her bed when someone comes over until I release her with “go see”. I have the person come in, ignore the dog, and sit down. The only way I’ve been able to keep Izzy on her bed is by feeding her cookies. I’ve also been working on “the thing before the thing” with visitors to the backyard. I’ve had them click the gate latch and given Izzy a cookie while she’s on her outdoor bed. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Then they come in, walk around, sit down. Then I release with a “go see”. Izzy is definitely calmer this way but I still have to keep reinforcing her with cookie, cookie, cookie to stay on the bed. What are your thoughts on this? I can use help! Thank you!

[@DogsThat]

Hi Judy, it's great you are working on this. You might like to consider the Distraction Intensity Index in your planning, here's a blog post for you with help: susangarrettdogagility.com/2020/09/distraction-intensity-index/

[@carmenslee6234]

My problem is not when someone comes to the door. We are on a farm and my big teenage pup is so super excited when people arrive outside. He is often loose outside and has access to random visitors. They get jumped all over. Not such a problem when it’s a strong man but otherwise it’s awful, and I’m embarrassed! He’s getting better behaved generally, but the jumping up on visitors is not solved yet! Not sure how to train away this behaviour!

[@danarzechula3769]

Set him up when you are right there to correct)guide behavior. Enlist several friends to come over at specific times and be there

[@The1eviltemptress]

My question is how do these exciting games create a calm dog? I remember my trainer asking if I could give a less excited verbal marking to keep my dog's energy calmer. I will say my dog has human and dog reactivity so that could have been the reason but I've asked myself several times how exciting games can create calm dogs?

[@DogsThat]

Great question @The1eviltemptress, if you skip ahead to one of our most recent podcast, there are a lot of tips to help with this very thing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmemqnupepKVe7s

[@jessicajarsak7812]

I want a copy of the sign

[@DogsThat]

Hi Jessica, here's where you can get your copy of the sign: dogsthat.com/project-calm-dog/

[@jessicajarsak7812]

@@DogsThat thank you. So, do I use this sign or do I make one like it? Lol I love the layout. No one reads signs anymore. I tell people not to look at my girls and they’ll take a glance. Like, that’s still looking.

[@andremiquelon]

How to USDA cliclker?

[@jenniemusgrove7386]

Hey just wondering what you do if the dog is jumping in order to get attention when shes being ignored? Should they be in the crate until they calm down?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Jennie, we'd look at what comes before. Here's two videos on this concept to assist you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmPRZqt9d9qJnqc kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJm4f4N-mNSnrKM

[@Therioprofessor]

Subscribed but cannot download the poster...Love the post BTW!

[@DogsThat]

Hi @Therioprofessor, thank you for subscribing! Here's where you can get the PDF download on our website - dogsthat.com/project-calm-dog/

[@terrikopp9948]

I have started ignoring my dog when I come home - no touch, no talk, no eye contact - but what do I do with him jumping on me? And jumping on guests?

[@DogsThat]

Hi Teri, Susan has a great blog post about this challenge, we will link it here for you: susangarrettdogagility.com/2019/04/train-my-dog-not-to-jump-up/

[@terrikopp9948]

@@DogsThat Great! I was worried that if he jumped on me, or on a guest, and then I rewarded him when he subsequently put all four feet on the ground that I would be doing "I gotta be bad to be good." Am I overthinking that?

[@hannie0502]

So at the beginning, when there is someone at the door and my puppy is all excited (we’ve been working on place command), what should I do if I open the door and the guest is ignoring the dog while she’s all excited, would she eventually just get that it’s not dog time ?

[@DogsThat]

Hi @hannie0502, with a puppy it will help to look at how you can set things up for success. Here's a video with the foundation concepts: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naWuqqNoopKFgc0

[@9459viola]

whether people ignore my dog or not he still jumps up and nips etc. makes no difference

[@DANIELLE-gq6ct]

Also me and my husband have been saying is mommy home or is daddy home a d dog runs to look out window we thought it was cute but I guess we create anxiety this way too huh? B

[@CaseyTompkins-iu1fm]

Cash o to