Wild child

[Megan and Charlie]

I live in a house where it's just me and my Charlie. We spend a lot of time together - especially in the summer because I'm a teacher. Charlie is so sweet when it's just us at home. We'll play but then he'll just lay at my feet while I work on the computer. 

This all changes when someone walks in the door. Even my boyfriend, who has been in Charlie's life since the day I brought him home, brings out Charlie's wild side. When the door opens, Charlie freaks out and runs circles around the house searching for a toy. He barks and growls in a playful way and will not calm down and constantly is rests his head in our laps and on our arms - it's like he acts like he is attention deprived! He even acts this way if my boyfriend leaves the house for 10 minutes and comes back - like he hasn't seen him for weeks!

Any advice or tips and tricks to calm him down? He'll be 2 years in November.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Gee this is the way my Springer Spaniel acts and he is NINE! This behavior incites my doodles to do the same, but when the Springer isn't around, they don't.   Most dogs do settle down eventually.  No suggestions because nothing we have tried works.

[Cathy, Fozzie & Shaggy]

I suggest you put Charlie in a down stay when anyone comes over or in his crate if he won't stay, until he is relaxed after company comes. Any guests should also ignore him - no touching, talking, or eye contact until Charlie settles down. Give him attention on your terms. When he puts his head on you he's demanding you pet him NOW. Fozzie does this and I love it most of the time but he knows the word no and "eh eh" when its not ok and will stop. It also sounds like Charlie might benefit from some self control work. The game of "Wait" while you put a treat on his nose or paw then give an OK for him to get it after a few seconds may help. Another self control thing that has worked great for my boys is holding a treat in an open hand under their nose, if they go for it or paw at it I close my hand but say NOTHING. When they stop I open my hand and close it again if they reach for or dig at the treat. Keep doing this until you can keep your hand open and he sits patiently for you to give the OK he can have it.

The big thing to remember is to be consistfent with what ever you do whether it's the down stay or the crate or something else. Good luck!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Another technique is ignoring.  Don't greet and either stand with your back to the dog or walk away.  This hasn't worked for our Springer but he has anxiety issues and Charlie most likely doesn't.