8mth old gets over excited with visitors

[Beckymman]

I have an 8 month old sweet Sheltie. She's housebroken, sits, stays, shake & other stuff. She's quiet & laid back at home & has been around other people & dogs. I'm having A major problem when people come over, we go to someone's house, or A neighbor stops by, she goes totally berserk! She gets so excited. When I call her she totally ignores me. Everyone likes her because she's small & cute. (7 1/2 lbs). Any suggestions? Thanks

(Carol, thank you! I don't know what I did or how my post got there.)

 

[Bailey's Mom]

Have you tried practicing when the situations aren't live? For instance doing it when you aren't concerned with entertaining, dealing with the people who are at the door, visiting, ect. but having someone willing to act the part of visitor to give you the chance to practice without needing to entertain/deal with person/people visiting.

Friend rings door bell and you have a chance to practice multiple how dog is supposed to react to situation without your friend expecting you to entertain him/her.

 

[Silaria]

To build on what Bailey's Mom said...

Many folks practice a "Go to Mat" command for these types of situations. Before anyone rings the doorbell/knocks on the door, teach the dog to go to a mat and either sit or down on it. Reward her for doing so with yummy treats. I'd suggest doing this where she can see the door so, as part of the training, you can open the door and teach her to stay on the mat. Basically, start with a got to the mat command. Work towards her staying there for extended periods of time. Then holding the stay when you open the door. Then when you have someone knock/ring the bell.

You also want to instruct people to ignore her when she's over excited. The more they pay attention to her while she's acting out, the more it's going to reinforce this as acceptable behavior. If she's ignored she will stop because she's getting nothing from it. Once she settles, they can treat her, pet her, etc. If she acts up again, all attention stops. Shelties are very smart dogs. They will figure it out quickly.

 

[Beckymman]

Have you tried practicing when the situations aren't live? For instance doing it when you aren't concerned with entertaining, dealing with the people who are at the door, visiting, ect. but having someone willing to act the part of visitor to give you the chance to practice without needing to entertain/deal with person/people visiting.

Friend rings door bell and you have a chance to practice multiple how dog is supposed to react to situation without your friend expecting you to entertain him/her.

I've been been having A neighbor ring the doorbell, so we're practicing with that. She does it when we go for A walk. She's fine until she sees A neighbor she knows. I'll try your other suggestions, and post an update. Thanks

 

[Beckymman]

To build on what Bailey's Mom said...

Many folks practice a "Go to Mat" command for these types of situations. Before anyone rings the doorbell/knocks on the door, teach the dog to go to a mat and either sit or down on it. Reward her for doing so with yummy treats. I'd suggest doing this where she can see the door so, as part of the training, you can open the door and teach her to stay on the mat. Basically, start with a got to the mat command. Work towards her staying there for extended periods of time. Then holding the stay when you open the door. Then when you have someone knock/ring the bell.

You also want to instruct people to ignore her when she's over excited. The more they pay attention to her while she's acting out, the more it's going to reinforce this as acceptable behavior. If she's ignored she will stop because she's getting nothing from it. Once she settles, they can treat her, pet her, etc. If she acts up again, all attention stops. Shelties are very smart dogs. They will figure it out quickly.[/

 

[Beckymman]

Another good idea. I hadn't thought of the go to mat, will try that tomorrow. She's my 3rd Sheltie. I had no problems training the other 2. She is A little stubborn. I'm trying to get everyone to ignore her. Problem is they think she's so cute & little (7 1/2 lbs.) I think all Shelties are beautiful! I love them. Thanks for the advice