Are you one of those people who don’t have company over because of your pet’s reaction to visitors? Let’s look at their specific behaviors and try to understand how and why they first started.

Some of the more unruly behaviors owners complain of when visitors arrive are excessive barking, jumping up on people, urinating, growling or even worse, biting. You may have unwittingly encouraged many of these behaviors. For example, pounding on the wall and asking your dog in an excited voice “Who is it? Go get’um!” while your dog is running around barking his head off.

You have just conditioned him to bark at knocking sounds. (Do burglars usually knock at the door?).

A dog that is rewarded by praise or attention for aggressive barking may soon learn that barking is an affective way to get your attention, even if the attention is your scolding.

Another attention seeking behavior is jumping up on people. This is a very common problem, especially for owners of young, friendly dogs.

Basic obedience training, keeping the greeting low key, diverting attention (shaker can), positively reinforcing other behaviors (sit/stay), and control devices (head halter/leash usage) can be utilized to give the owner more control over their pet.

Submissive urination is when your dog crouches low with his tail down and dribbles urine when being greeted. It is seen particularly in young dogs but usually resolves as urinary sphincters mature and the puppy gains confidence.

The key to stopping submissive urination is to keep greetings brief and calm; avoid direct eye contact; avoid petting the dog; do not stand directly over the dog; and let the dog approach you after you have sat down. Verbal punishment should be avoided as this will make your dog even more anxious and fearful.

If you have a dominant aggressive dog with a history of growling or biting, seek professional help immediately. You will need a professional dog trainer and or veterinary behaviorist to work with you in depth. Biting pets frequently become a health hazard and a legal liability.

Your cat is a dedicated survivalist and will generally run and hide when visitors arrive. If he does elect to grace you with his presence, let him set the mood of whether he wants to be petted or not.

Be cautious until you know his personality as cats can have mercurial mood changes.