Puppy management tips for people parties

[Christy L.]

Hi!  Any tips for keeping my puppy out of trouble when we host a small get together this weekend?  We've had family members and lots of kids around but this will a card party and I'm trying to think of ways to prevent problems.  I will have a Kong prepared for her but she tends to make short work of those (frozen dog food inside).   Marli is 5 months old and loves people...maybe too much.   She will cry/whine if I try to keep her in her crate.  

[Missy]

oh the joys of this age!  It's time to get her used to company coming over and what it is she is suppose to do. 

I kept mine on the leash, allowed to sniff everyone, and then held on to the leash until he settled down. We have an antler that is a 'high reward' for independent time.  He at first would run between the antler and people.  But I found that if the people ignored him, then he just went back to his bed and chewed antler.

when he was younger, we had a folding gate that he stayed on one side of or I could configure into a play area.  But he learned to jump that as he got older.

does your pup  know the command 'at your place' or 'go to your bed'?

Just let your company know you are 'in training' and for them to follow your lead on what you want to happen.  I read somewhere that by letting the dog jump up on people the dogs are learning to be disrespectful to others.  This has been our most difficult challenge.  (we own a disrespectful dog)  ha ha

just remember to have FUN.  Don't let it persuade no company.  It is a learning process but the dog will learn what it is suppose to do.  You just figure out what you want the dog to do and work towards that goal!!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

The suggestions already mentioned are great and I would encourage you to carry around a big bag of tiny treats in your pocket or close at hand so that you can easily and quickly reward calm, good, desired behavior. If she is laying calmly, drop a couple tiny treats between her front legs to reward her for being down; if she goes to her bed, toss a couple treats on the bed; if she sits nicely at any point, reward her with treats. Teach her that she will be rewarded for good behavior and she gets bonus treats for continuing that good behavior. 

I also second the recommendation to prep your guests. I would even encourage them to completely ignore her for at least five minutes upon entering- this will help her stay more calm and it also signals to her that she is not the alpha over them and may help with jumping and nipping behaviors. Have fun showing her off!

[Emery & Watson]

I definitely agree to let your guests know that she is in training and to please ignore her for a little while after coming into the house and only to give her attention if she is calm.  also giving her treats or food if she's being calm or sitting nicely or even independently playing/chewing on her toys

even after all that, my doodle would sometimes get all riled up again once somebody gave him attention (after being calm) and want to start jumping or romancing a guest's leg  

in those cases he would get a timeout (not his crate so there wouldn't be bad associations there) until he calmed down (usually 1 or 2 minutes).  Just a quick isolation due to inappropriate behavior would calm him for awhile

[Christy L.]

Thank you for ideas!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would leash her to you or by you when you can, perhaps block her in a room with a baby gate or ex-pen at the door,  and crate her (even if she doesn't like it) when you can't directly watch her.  This is to keep her safe.