How to introduce your dog to new people

November 07, 2018

As we saw on this week’s episode of ‘For the Love of Dogs’, introducing your four-legged friends to your two-legged friends can be a lot of fun - pogdog Chester obviously loved spending time at the care home when he visited the residents However, for some dogs, meeting new people can cause stress and anxiety, so we’ve put together a handy guide to help you introduce new people to your dog.

1. Let your dog make the first move

Having someone new approach your dog before they’re ready could make them feel threatened. Let your dog approach first and leave them to make the first move so you can be sure they’re calm and comfortable with the situation. When introducing children to your dog for the first time, it’s even more important that they understand how to approach a new dog - even though meeting a new furry friend is always exciting!

beagle with man and girl playing on bed

2. Offer treats

We all know how much our furry friends love being treated. Giving visitors your dog’s favourite treats to share with them can help start the relationship positively. Not only will this help build trust in a new relationship, it’ll also reward you pet’s calm behaviour.

3. Be patient

New people and places can be unsettling - even us humans can get shy - so it’s perfectly understandable that our pets do too. Be aware that adjusting can take time and you’ll need to be patient, moving at a pace that works for your canine best friend. Always take things slowly and never rush your dog if he or she is feeling a little wary.

4. Play with them first

Playing with your dog before your guest arrives should help ensure they’re in a relaxed and happy mood. This will also create a positive association with receiving visitors, so they’ll always be at their tail-wagging best for guests.

dog playing with toy while owner watches

5. Calm their nerves

Animals feel stressed and anxious in the same way we do. So, because we like to keep your pets as happy and relaxed as possible, we’ve developed our triple-action calming supplement YuCALM Dog. YuCALM Dog is made with scientifically proven natural ingredients such as Lemon Balm and B vitamins, that help reduce stress, support calm behaviour and ease anxiety. The special formula also supports GABA and dopamine levels to trigger a ‘feel good’ effect for your dog. YuCALM Dog could help to support your pooch in feeling happier and more relaxed every day, without drowsiness. Find more tips on dog anxiety, including solutions and scenarios to avoid here.

We hope that your doggo is always happy to make new friends, with two legs or four, and Lintbells is always there to support along the way no matter what. We’re looking forward to seeing what our furry friends get up to in the next episode of For the Love of Dogs! Watch it every Wednesday on ITV at 8pm.