Greeting visitors

[Ilona & Gina]

Hello everyone,

 

I have a question re visitors. Gina and Anton are fine with visitors. Ususall they bark a bit and wag their tails. They will alway show their happiness about our human visitors. But after and after being cuddled and acknowledged, they are happy to settle on their mats and simply be silent part of it.

 

However, there is one particular couple. It's not that they don't like dogs. They just think dogs are some lower creatures that should not be seen and heard. Anyway, they don't understand that our dogs don't live in the backyard. I am not happy to have that couple around ( I know it sounds awful, but it's the truth). He is a self-righteous choleric, and his wife is very cool and distanced. But my partner sometimes invites them (it's no love - it's business).

 

I feel so tense when they come to see us (which, thanks to Gina, doesn't happen too often:)). I feel this tension hours before they arrive!

 

Anton, my partner's dog, is fine. But of course, Gina picks up my emotions. The guy is one who puts up his knee when a dog jumps up. He's also one who believes in punishment when a dog does not perform. Gina seems to enjoy jumping up at him, just to upset him. I'd love to kick these people out, but etiquette...

 

Otherwise Gina is so good. I know it's not her. It's me, as in this situation, I try to stop her from doing that, and I am sure my my bodylanguage ("sod off you pompous pr....!") and what I say ("Gina, on your bed!") don't go together. the poor dog must be confused.

 

So I guess my question is not: How can I teach Gina, but: What can I do about the conflicting messages I send out to my dog? I feel a bit at loss.

[Gayle Sheridan]

Hi IIona
I agree with Sue. I always assume that visitors will not appreciate my family so they are in a different room when visitors arrive. If the visitors want to interact with the dogs then I monitor this closely to ensure that they are real dog lovers. Generally people love my big family. However, some people say they like dogs but are on a different planet so it is best to keep your dogs away from them to avoid your dogs becoming upset.
It is also important to accept that some visitors will not appreciate your dogs so you need to manage the situation to avoid creating stress for yourself, husband, dogs and the visitors.
Cheers - Gayle