Holiday Hosting Without the Hound Havoc: Transform Chaotic Greetings into Calm Celebrations
The doorbell rings. Your heart races—not from holiday excitement, but from knowing what comes next. Before you can say "Happy Holidays," your dog is barking frantically, charging the door, and preparing to launch himself at your guests. As coats are removed and pleasantries exchanged, your four-legged family member is jumping, spinning, and generally creating the kind of chaos that makes you question why you offered to host in the first place.
Sound familiar? You're not alone. Welcome to the next installment in our countdown of the Top Dog Training Problems of 2025. Last week, we tackled problem #3, and now we're moving up our countdown to the #2 most common challenge dog owners face: the inability to settle when company arrives—a particularly timely issue as we enter the holiday season.
For many dog owners, the joy of holiday gatherings is often dampened by the stress of managing an over-excited dog who simply cannot settle when company arrives. The jumping, barking, counter-surfing, and general mayhem can transform what should be a festive celebration into an exhausting exercise in dog management.
But what if this holiday season could be different? What if your dog could greet guests politely and then settle calmly while you enjoy appetizers and conversation? This transformation isn't just a holiday wish—it's entirely possible with one powerful training tool: the "Place" command.
The Holiday Hosting Challenge
The holidays bring unique challenges for our canine companions. The normal routine is disrupted, exciting new scents fill the home, and suddenly strangers are invading their territory bearing gifts and food. From your dog's perspective, it's either the most exciting day ever (requiring all their energy) or a concerning situation (triggering protective behaviors).
Most dogs struggle with holiday gatherings for three main reasons:
Excitement overload: The energy and activity of holiday gatherings can push dogs past their ability to self-regulate.
Lack of clear expectations: Without specific training for these situations, dogs make their own decisions about appropriate behavior—usually not the ones we prefer.
Reinforced patterns: Each time your dog successfully gets attention by jumping or barking, the behavior becomes more ingrained.
For hosts, this creates a perfect storm of stress. Lisa, one of our clients, described it perfectly: "I was constantly torn between being a good host and managing my dog. I couldn't enjoy conversations because I was always watching for signs he was about to jump on someone or steal food. I started dreading having people over, which isn't who I am at all."
This stress affects guests too. While some visitors might laugh off the enthusiastic greeting, others—particularly elderly relatives, small children, or those uncomfortable around dogs—can feel genuinely frightened or unwelcome in your home.
The "Place" Command - Your Holiday Hosting Solution
Enter the "Place" command—perhaps the most valuable behavior you can teach your dog before the holiday season begins.
At its core, "Place" teaches your dog to go to a designated spot (usually a mat, bed, or raised platform) and stay there until released, regardless of distractions. Think of it as creating a calm island for your dog amid the sea of holiday chaos.
Unlike simply putting your dog away in another room (which can increase frustration and barking), the Place command gives your dog:
A clear job to do during gatherings
A safe space where they can observe without being overwhelmed
A way to be part of the family activities while maintaining good manners
A powerful exercise in impulse control
The transformation can be remarkable. Take Sarah and her 2-year-old Lab mix, Cooper. Before learning Place, Cooper's excitement when guests arrived was so overwhelming that Sarah had resorted to keeping him in the bedroom during visits.
"The first time we had friends over after teaching Cooper the Place command, I almost cried," Sarah shared. "He greeted them calmly, then went to his bed when I asked. He watched us eat dinner from his place, totally relaxed. Our friends couldn't believe it was the same dog. For the first time, I felt like I could enjoy having people over without constant stress."
Teaching the "Place" Command - Step-by-Step
The good news is that most dogs can learn a basic version of the Place command in just a few training sessions, though mastering it around high distractions takes consistent practice.
What You'll Need:
A designated place—ideally a raised bed, mat, or platform that's easily distinguishable
High-value treats
A leash for the initial training
Patience and consistency
Basic Training Steps:
Step 1: Introduce the Place
Begin with your dog on leash near their designated place.
Lure your dog onto the place with a treat.
As soon as all four paws are on the place, mark with "Yes!" and reward.
Use your release word (like "Free!" or "Break!") and encourage your dog to move off the place.
Repeat 5-10 times until your dog eagerly steps onto the place.
Step 2: Add the Command
Stand with your dog near the place.
Say "Place" in a clear, upbeat voice.
Wait a beat, then guide your dog to the place if needed.
Mark and reward when all four paws are on.
Release after a few seconds.
Step 3: Build Duration
Gradually increase the time your dog stays on place before releasing.
Start with 5 seconds, then 10, then 30, working up to several minutes.
During this time, your dog can sit, stand, or lie down—they just need to keep all paws on the place.
If your dog breaks position, gently guide them back and reset with a shorter duration.
Step 4: Add Distance
Send your dog to place from a few feet away.
Gradually increase the distance until you can send them from across the room.
Practice sending them to place from different positions in your home.
Step 5: Add Distractions
Once your dog is reliable with duration and distance, begin adding mild distractions.
Walk around the room while they stay in place.
Bounce a ball, clap your hands, or make other movements.
Eventually practice with another family member entering the room.
Common Challenges and Solutions:
Challenge: Dog won't stay on place for more than a few seconds
Solution: You may have increased duration too quickly. Go back to shorter periods, reward more frequently, and progress more slowly.
Challenge: Dog is anxious on the place
Solution: Make sure the place itself is comfortable and positioned where your dog can see you. Some dogs do better with a place that has sides for security.
Challenge: Dog breaks place when excited
Solution: Practice with gradually increasing distractions, always setting your dog up for success. Use a leash if needed to prevent self-rewarding by breaking position.
Holiday-Specific Implementation Strategies
Now that your dog understands the Place command, let's talk about implementing it specifically for holiday gatherings.
Pre-Party Practice Routine
In the weeks before your holiday event:
Practice Place daily, gradually extending duration to 20-30 minutes.
Add holiday-specific distractions: unwrapping presents, cooking sounds, festive music.
Role-play guest arrivals with family members.
Create a "dress rehearsal" by having a friend your dog knows come over and practice the full arrival routine.
Management During Arrivals
The doorbell moment is often the most challenging, so have a clear plan:
Exercise your dog thoroughly before guests arrive.
About 15 minutes before expected arrivals, send your dog to their place with a long-lasting treat or food puzzle.
When the doorbell rings, if your dog breaks place, calmly return them to position before opening the door.
Ask guests ahead of time to ignore your dog until settled (no eye contact, talking to, or petting).
Once everyone is inside and calm, you can release your dog for calm, controlled greetings if appropriate.
Duration Building for Longer Gatherings
Holiday celebrations can last hours. Help your dog succeed with these strategies:
Use intermittent rewards—occasionally bring a treat to your dog while they remain in place.
Allow for reasonable breaks—release your dog every 30-45 minutes for a brief stretch or bathroom break.
Provide appropriate chews or food puzzles that can be enjoyed on place.
Make sure the place is positioned where your dog doesn't feel isolated but isn't in the center of foot traffic.
Mike and Emma's New Year's Eve gathering shows how effective this can be. Their 3-year-old Goldendoodle, Bentley, had previously been so disruptive during parties that they'd resorted to hiring a pet sitter for special occasions.
"After working on Place training for about three weeks, we decided to host a small New Year's Eve gathering," Mike shared. "Bentley greeted each guest calmly, then went to his place with a stuffed Kong. He stayed there happily for most of the evening, with a few scheduled breaks. At midnight, we even included him in our celebration. The difference was night and day—we could actually enjoy being hosts without constantly managing dog chaos."
Beyond the Holidays - A Year-Round Solution
While the Place command is particularly valuable during the holiday season, its benefits extend throughout the year:
Daily Life Benefits:
Creates calm during dinner time
Provides a management tool during home maintenance visits
Teaches impulse control that transfers to other situations
Gives your dog a clear expectation during any gathering
Transferring Skills:
Once your dog masters Place at home, you can transfer this skill to other environments:
Bring a portable mat to friends' homes
Use it at outdoor gatherings or dog-friendly restaurants
Create calm during veterinary waiting room visits
Building on Success:
As your dog becomes more reliable with Place, you can layer in other skills:
"Go to Place" when the doorbell rings (without being told)
Longer durations for extended events
Staying in place despite high-value distractions like food or toys
The Place command is truly the gift that keeps on giving, for both you and your dog. Rather than feeling excluded during gatherings, your dog learns how to be part of the family in an appropriate way. And you get to enjoy both your human and canine relationships without conflict.
Enjoying the Transformation
The holidays should be a time of joy and connection, not stress and management. With the Place command in your training toolbox, you can transform chaotic greetings into calm celebrations where everyone—two-legged and four-legged family members alike—can enjoy the festivities.
Remember that consistency is key. A few minutes of Place practice each day will yield far better results than marathon training sessions right before a gathering. Start now, and by the time your holiday events arrive, both you and your dog will be prepared to enjoy them to the fullest.
If your dog's greeting behaviors have been making you dread holiday hosting, you don't have to face another season of chaos. The Place command can transform your experience from stress to success.
Call me at (248) 618-3258 or email [email protected] to discuss how we can transform your dog's greeting behaviors before your holiday gatherings. Our proven Canine Connection Compass methodology has helped hundreds of Metro Detroit dogs learn to settle calmly when guests arrive, giving their families the gift of stress-free celebrations.
Remember, you don't have to choose between your dog and your holiday traditions—with the right training, you can enjoy both!
Happy training!
Mandy Majchrzak
Owner and Head Trainer
Clever Canine Dog Training
Metro Detroit's Family Dog Training Specialists
