Tips for hosting 1st Thanksgiving with our 9 month Graycie!

[gigi d]

Hi! We are hosting about 30 people (children included) for Thanksgiving...We've had company over before and Graycie does great, but never that amount of guests.  She will not be able to hang out on the couch like usual, or do I want her annoying people jumping up on them, etc.  

She's really only crated in our bedroom at night.  I'm trying to get her used to her crate in the main family/kitchen area, but I feel like she's going to be upset being crated in the same room with all the action...but will she want to be banished either?? 

Anyway, tips or suggestions? should I let her be out in the beginning of party and then put her up in our room?  Thinking of leaving her with a Himalayan Dog Chew or Beef Trachea which she only gets rarely, but loves to keep her busy.  

Thanks!

[Connie Lu]

Maybe leave her in a crate at the beginning but at a place where people can see her, and then letting her out once she's calmed down and is used to them for a bit?
Try having everyone socialize with her a bit so she's not hyper when she is let out and sees new people

[SK & Hudson]

Remind people of commands they can tell her in a firm voice. Also remind people that if she jumps to redirect her with your choice of words firmly instead of in a happy squeaky voice.

When we have a ton of guests, over, I prefer to keep Hudson on a short leash belt (maybe $15 on Amazon, wraps around your waist and then the leash clips onto your waist). This way I can keep her close and redirect her if she gets too excited.

[Michelle M]

i was thinking the same thing too w/our 6month old doodle. my older dogs could care less about the people and more about the food so we'll have to crate them until we are done eating. but we really would love to get Quinn socialized with the family and friends coming over, but will probably crate her too in our room till plates are away. 

[Missy]

oh what joys to introduce the puppy to lots of people!!

We have a nosy pup.  He wants to see everything and be apart of the action.  what we do so you might see something that will work for you. 

We leash the pup as people enter.  Hubby and I tag team. I stand away from the door, allow people to walk by. No touch.  As they finally all arrive, I walk the pup around for everyone to pet and get all excited. Then I leave him on the leash and keep him tethered to me.  When it is time to eat, I put him in a fenced off area with a Kong filled treat. WE have huge open living space. ( I have at others houses, just put him in bedroom in a crate)  Dinner with small children, can lead to some misunderstandings between dog and kids under the table. (said one with experience) 

You will pick up on the cues from your pup on what it is needing.  I have had mine jump in my lap when he needs a break from the kids.  When, I just put him in a room by himself. 

I have also had where the kids were getting too wound up and I didn't want the pup hurt. I put him in another room, but the puppy opened the door just enough so he could still watch the kids.  It was funny, half a head of the dog peering around the crack of the door.  Even when I said he could come out...he waited for me to swing the door open.  

Our pup loves his couch too!  And he had to learn, when guests are there, he goes to dog bed.  Remember, you make the rules and she has to follow them.lol   Treats are a very good thing too.  I like the food puzzles.  it keeps them busy!

It takes a crowd to see how she will respond.  Just follow her cues. And you and her both will enjoy the Holidays.

[LORRY SWETLAND]

My Turbo is 10 months old and loves people.However, he gets very excited when someone comes to the house or if we go out. In the house I put him on a leash until he settles down. When we are outside and people want to pet him I make him sit first...He is 27 in tall to the shoulder and if he were to jump up on someone he could hurt them with his 75lbs of doodle. I would let her be out and steady her with a leash as people come in. My Turbo is family and I treat him as such but the only way to get her to be social and well behaved is to allow her to mingle. She will settle down. I didn't see where you live but if it is warm and you have a fenced area I would put her in the fenced area periodically during the company visit. Not knowing her personality it is hard to say what would be best for her. You don't want to stress her out either.

[gigi d]

Amazing great advice so far and so helpful to read what has been successful for you all. Graycie dosed have any major issues and loves to be nosy as well..super friendly with people the most. I will try and keep her in leash and give her time to meet and greet. Them some time upstairs in out room in crate or gated I hallway at the top of stairs so she can still see people. Crossing fingers!