How can I teach a mixed-breed dog to be calm around visitors?

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answer_md":"## Strategies for polite greetings and calm visitor behavior

Teaching calm greetings prevents jumping and stress-filled encounters. Train an alternative behavior (sit, go-to mat, or place) that the dog offers when guests arrive and reward calmness consistently.

Practical training plan:

  • Practice the alternate behavior at home with low-distraction role-plays before real guests arrive.
  • Have guests ignore the dog until they perform the calm behavior, then reward with a treat or brief attention.
  • Use a leash or baby gate to control distance during early stages and reduce arousal gradually.
  • Keep arrivals low-key: no high-pitched exclamations or immediate face-to-face interactions.

If excitement or fear is severe, build up exposure slowly and enlist help from friends to rehearse arrivals. Over time, consistent reinforcement of calm behavior and clear rules create predictable expectations and polite guest interactions.