5 Common Behaviors to Tackle With Dog Training Before Holiday Guests Arrive

You know this stare.

Autumn brings crisp air, falling leaves, and… before you know it… the bustle of the holiday season. While you’re planning Thanksgiving gatherings and hanging lights, your dog is watching the household rhythm shift. Visitors drop by, deliveries increase, and the doorbell rings more often.

For many pups, this sudden excitement can lead to chaos.

Fall is the perfect time to polish your dog’s manners so everyone can relax when the holidays roll around because the “back-to-school” mindset naturally lends itself to consistency. Whether you work with a professional trainer for private lessons or enroll in a structured board-and-train program, starting now gives your dog, and you, the best chance for a calm, joyful season.

Below are five behaviors to address before guests arrive, and why each one matters.

1. Jumping on Guests

Why It Matters:

Nothing derails a warm welcome like an enthusiastic dog launching into a greeting the second the door opens. A leaping pup can knock over a child, trip an elderly relative, or leave muddy pawprints on someone’s holiday sweater. Even dog-lovers may not enjoy being pounced on when carrying gifts or hot drinks.

How Training Helps:

A dog who understands how to greet politely sets the tone for the entire gathering. Professional trainers reward calm behavior, teaching self-control in the most exciting moments. Controlled greetings reduce the chance of injuries and keep doors from staying open long enough for an excited dog to dart outside. It’s the canine equivalent of a firm, friendly handshake… welcoming but never overwhelming.

2. Door Dashing

Why It Matters:

The holidays mean a steady stream of comings and goings: delivery drivers, neighbors with baked goodies, relatives with casseroles. Every open door can tempt a curious dog to bolt. Even a normally calm pup might seize the opportunity if it’s tempting enough. A sudden dash isn’t just inconvenient; it can be dangerous. Cars may be coming and going, and unfamiliar surroundings can disorient a dog in seconds.

How Training Helps:

Impulse-control training teaches a dog that an open door isn’t a sign to take off into a sprint. Positive reinforcement creates a reliable “wait” or “stay,” so your dog pauses until given a release cue. When you know your dog will stay put, you can greet guests without lunging for a collar or shouting “Shut the door fast!”

3. Begging At The Table

Why It Matters:

You’ve spent all day preparing the perfect Holiday feast, and just as everyone sits down, you feel it: the stare. Begging can be hard to resist, but it’s more than awkward, it can be unhealthy. Rich holiday foods upset stomachs, and some ingredients (onions, raisins, chocolate) are dangerous or even fatal. A dog underfoot can also trip someone carrying a heavy platter or hot dish.

How Training Helps:

Teaching your dog to relax in a designated “place” during meals gives them a job and keeps temptation at bay. Trainers reward calm behavior away from the table, so your dog learns that good things like praise, treats, or a special chew toy, come from staying put. You get a peaceful dinner, guests eat without fending off an intrusive snout, and your dog avoids a stomachache.

4. Excessive Barking

Why It Matters:

Doorbells, laughter, clinking glasses, all the sounds of the Holiday season, can be joyful to humans, but to some dogs they’re triggers for nonstop barking… and the noise can fray nerves for hosts and guests alike.

Beyond annoyance, excessive barking raises a dog’s stress level. The more they bark, the more worked up they become, creating a loop of excitement and anxiety.

How Training Helps: 

Positive training teaches a dog to stay calm even when the house is buzzing. Desensitization helps your pup hear a doorbell or sudden noise without launching into an endless alarm. Imagine answering the door without shouting over a barking dog and greeting friends in peace while your pup settles after a brief alert.

5. Poor Leash Manners

Why It Matters:

Holiday travel or just brisk walks between courses both require a dog who behaves on leash. A strong puller can turn a pleasant stroll into a tug-of-war. Slippery sidewalks and bundled-up walkers make it even more important that your dog walks politely.

And when you have guests, you may find your nephew or niece or brother wants to help walk the dog, so leash manners make it a better, safer experience for everyone. One unexpected lunge can pull someone into the street or cause a fall on icy pavement.

How Training Helps: 

Professional training teaches dogs to walk calmly at your side, responding to gentle guidance instead of dragging you along. When your pup understands loose-leash walking, anyone in the family, even grandparents, can take them for a stress-free outing. 

Why Positive, Praise-Based Dog Training Works

Modern, praise-based training builds trust and lasting habits. By praising and rewarding good choices, trainers help dogs learn because they want to, not because they’re afraid. Behaviors learned through positive reinforcement are more likely to stick because the dog enjoys the process and understands what’s expected.

For busy households, a board-and-train program can be a game-changer. Your dog stays in a structured environment, practicing greetings, impulse control, and leash manners in real-world situations while you maintain your regular schedule.

By the time the holidays arrive, you have a calmer, more confident canine companion ready to shine when the house is full.

The Perfect Season To Start

Think of fall as a training sweet spot. The weather is comfortable, routines are steadier than in summer, and there’s still time to make real progress before the first holiday party. Starting now means your dog will be ready when the house fills with relatives, the doorbell chimes every few minutes, and grandma wants to take the leash.

More importantly, the benefits last long after the decorations are packed away. A dog who greets guests politely, walks nicely on leash, and settles during meals is a joy year-round… at summer barbecues, spring picnics, and every family gathering in between.

The holidays should be about laughter and connection and by investing in positive, professional training this fall, you give your dog the skills to stay calm and confident no matter how hectic the season becomes.

A well-mannered pup makes life easier for you and brighter for everyone who walks through your door. Start now, and when the festive season arrives, you and your dog can truly relax and celebrate together.

About The Author:

Tom is the owner and head trainer at Smart Paws and attended the National K-9 Learning Center of Columbus for Master Trainer education. He has trained dogs for over 10 years in homes and at other dog training locations, before starting Smart Paws. 

About Smart Paws Training and Boarding

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