How to Train Your Dog to Greet Guests Calmly and Politely

Let’s be real, we all love a warm welcome—but when our furry friend transforms into a jumping whirlwind at the door, it’s not quite what visitors had in mind. If your dog gets a little too enthusiastic when greeting guests, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and it is absolutely trainable. With patience, consistency and the right tools, you can teach your dog to greet guests calmly and politely, turning door-time chaos into tail-wagging harmony.

At Petdirect, we get pet. We understand that behind every jumpy pup is a whole lot of love (and maybe a bit of excitement overload). This step-by-step guide will show you how to teach your dog polite greeting behaviour using positive reinforcement, making your home more welcoming for both two-legged and four-legged visitors.

Why Dogs Get Overexcited When Greeting Guests

Dogs are social animals, and seeing a new—or familiar—face at the door is like their version of a party. They want to say hi, gather all the sniffs and maybe sneak in a cheeky lick. Often, dogs jump up or bark because they’re excited, seeking attention, or unsure how to behave in high-energy situations.

Breeds with high energy levels like Labradors or Border Collies may especially struggle to contain themselves. Knowing the reason behind your pup’s behaviour is the first step to teaching calmer alternatives.

Set Up The Right Environment

Creating a calm environment before your guest even walks through the door sets the tone. Try these simple steps:

• Give your dog some exercise before visitors arrive—a tired pup is a calmer pup.
• Have treats ready to reward good behaviour promptly.
• Use a lead or a dog harness to manage excitable dogs.
• Prepare a comfy spot, like their favourite bed or crate, where they should go when the doorbell rings.

Training pads or training tools can also help if your dog struggles with self-control in new situations.

Teach The "Go To Your Spot" Command

This game-changing command can transform visits from overwhelming to calm and collected. Here's how to get started:

1. Choose your dog’s “spot”—it could be a crate or bed.
2. Use a treat to lure your pup there and say a cue like “place” or “bed.”
3. Praise and reward when they go voluntarily. Practice often, even when no guests are expected.
4. Gradually add distractions and longer stay times as your dog builds reliability.

Make it fun with rewards from our tasty range of training & reward treats to keep tails wagging for all the right reasons.

Practice Calm Meetings With Familiar People

Before your dog can confidently navigate random guests, get them used to greeting familiar visitors in a controlled way:

• Ask a friend or family member to visit and repeat training.
• Reward your dog for not jumping when the door opens.
• Ask your guest to ignore the dog until all four paws are on the ground.
• Rehearse short, calm greetings and gradually build up.

Be sure to use your chosen cue (like “say hi” or “easy”), and never punish jumping behaviour—instead, redirect and reward what you want to see.

Use Positive Tools To Reinforce Calm Behaviour

There’s no need to go it alone—some clever tools can make training smoother:

• A calming aid or pheromone diffuser may help soothe dogs prone to overstimulation.
• Introducing interactive toys or puzzles can keep them busy when guests arrive.
• Plush toys are a great distraction to carry to their spot when the door knocks.

Training takes patience, so why not let us lend a paw? With handy tools, healthy rewards and expert-approved support, we make pet parenting easy.

Celebrate Progress And Stay Consistent

Every polite paw shake deserves a standing ovation. Be sure to:

• Celebrate big milestones—like your first calm guest visit—just as much as small successes.
• Reward consistently with praise, treats or play, so your dog learns which behaviours are encouraged.
• Get the whole household on board, using the same cues and rules to avoid confusing your pup.

Eventually, your dog will start offering calm greetings naturally, especially when calmness leads to more attention and treats than jumping ever did.

Final Woof: Don’t Stress, Just Train With Love

Training your dog to greet guests politely doesn’t just make life easier for you and your visitors—it helps your dog feel more confident and in control, too. With patience, consistency and some expert help from Petdirect, you’ll be rolling out the red carpet for guests in no time (minus the flying paws).

Ready to tame the door-time chaos? Shop our full range of training essentials, rewards and treats, or interactive tech toys to make training as fun as it is effective. And don’t forget to check out our Pet Perks loyalty programme for rewards you and your pup will love.