Helping a Small Dog Stay Calm When Guests Visit: A Simple Plan

In short: when guests visit, a small dog can feel more at ease if you plan a few things ahead. Set up a quiet place where your dog can rest away from the crowd, and ask guests to let your dog come to them instead of reaching for it right away. Watch the front door so your dog doesn’t slip out, ask everyone not to share human food, and have an adult keep an eye on children and the dog. If your dog seems very worried around visitors, talk with your vet or a dog trainer.

Around the New Year holidays, family may come for a meal, friends may drop by, and the doorbell may ring more often than usual. For a small dog, a house full of new voices, smells, and moving feet can be a lot to take in.

Please read this first: this post is a set of general ideas for having guests over with a dog at home. It is not about my own dog, and it is not expert advice. I am not a veterinarian or a dog trainer, and I can’t judge your dog’s body or behavior. If anything about your dog worries you, please ask your vet or a qualified trainer.

Before guests arrive: a simple plan

A little preparation can make the day calmer for everyone. Here is one way to think about it.

When	What to do	Why it helps
A few days before	Pick a quiet room or corner for your dog’s resting spot	Your dog has somewhere to go that is away from the busy part of the home
A few days before	Let your dog spend relaxed time in that spot with a familiar bed or blanket	The spot feels familiar, not new, on the day
The day before	Decide where food, drinks, and bags will go	Easier to keep things your dog shouldn’t have out of reach
On the day, before guests	Take your dog for a walk or play a short game	A chance to move and sniff before the house gets busy
On the day, before guests	Put a water bowl and a chew or toy in the resting spot	Your dog has what it needs without coming into the crowd

Set up a quiet place to rest

The resting spot is the center of the plan. It can be a separate room with the door closed, a corner with a baby gate, or a crate or carrier your dog already likes. If you have been working on carrier training, a familiar carrier can become a cozy hideaway; see Carrier Training for a Small Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide for how to build that comfort step by step.

Some points to think about:

• Choose a spot away from the front door and away from where people will eat and talk.
• Keep it familiar. Your dog’s usual bed, blanket, and a toy can help.
• Let your dog choose. If your dog wants to go to its spot, let it go and leave it alone there.
• Ask guests not to follow your dog into its resting spot.

Ask guests to give your dog space at first

Some guests love dogs and may want to say hello right away. A small dog, though, may find a stranger bending down and reaching for it a bit much. A short, friendly message before or as guests arrive can help:

• “Please don’t pick up or pet the dog at first. Let it come to you.”
• “If the dog walks away, please let it go.”
• “Please don’t wake the dog if it is sleeping in its bed.”

You don’t have to explain much. A simple “the dog needs a little time” is usually enough.

Front door safety

With guests coming and going, the front door may open many times in one day. A small dog can slip past legs quickly, and in a Sapporo winter, a dog that runs outside may end up on icy or snowy streets.

Risk	One way to handle it
Dog runs to the door when the bell rings	Put your dog in its resting spot or behind a gate before you open the door
Guests leave the door open while taking off boots	Ask guests to close the door behind them, and check it yourself
Many people arriving at once	Keep your dog in a closed room until everyone is inside
Guests leaving at the end of the day	Check where your dog is before anyone opens the door

Before a busy season, it also helps to check that your dog is wearing its tags, such as the registration tag. My post Living with a Dog in Japan: Basic Rules and Manners covers registration, tags, and other basic rules for dogs in Japan.

Ask guests not to give your dog human food

At holiday meals, food is everywhere, and a dog looking up with big eyes can be hard to say no to. But many human foods are not suitable for dogs, and food that is safe for people may not be safe for your dog.

• Tell guests clearly: “Please don’t give the dog any of our food.”
• Keep plates and snacks off low tables where a small dog can reach them.
• Watch for dropped food on the floor during the meal.
• Keep bags and coats out of reach, since they may hold snacks or other items.

If you think your dog has eaten something it shouldn’t have, please contact your vet right away rather than waiting to see what happens.

Children and dogs: an adult keeps watch

Children visiting for the holidays may be excited to meet a dog. Children and dogs can get along well, but it is safer when an adult is watching the whole time.

Some simple rules to share with children (and their parents):

• Let the dog come to you. No chasing, grabbing, or picking up the dog.
• Gentle hands. If the dog comes over, a soft touch on the back or side is enough.
• Leave the dog alone when it is eating, sleeping, or in its resting spot.
• Quiet voices near the dog.

When no adult can watch, it is simpler to keep your dog in its resting spot. If your dog moves away from people, hides, or seems tense, let it rest there quietly too.

After the guests leave

Once the house is quiet again, your dog may enjoy a short walk or some gentle play. If the weather is too rough to go out, Indoor Play Ideas for a Small Dog on Snowy Days has some simple sniffing and training games for inside the home.

Having guests over with a small dog doesn’t have to be stressful. A quiet place to rest, a few clear requests for your guests, and an eye on the front door can help your dog get through a busy holiday at its own pace.

FAQ

Should I let guests pick up my small dog?

It is often easier for a dog if guests let it come to them first. You can ask guests not to pick up or pet your dog at first, and to let it walk away if it wants to. If your dog seems very uneasy around visitors, ask your vet or a dog trainer.

What can I do so my dog doesn’t run out the front door?

Put your dog in a closed room, behind a gate, or in its crate before you open the door. Ask guests to close the door behind them, and check where your dog is before anyone leaves.

Is it okay if guests give my dog a little of our food?

It is safer to ask guests not to give your dog human food. Many human foods are not suitable for dogs. If you think your dog has eaten something it shouldn’t have, contact your vet right away.