Dogs don’t naturally invite other dogs into their homes. We humans facilitate these visits, often without considering how unnatural the situation may feel for our pets. Imagine if someone burst into your home uninvited, rummaging through your cupboards and jumping into your bed—even if it were your best friend, you’d likely feel uncomfortable!
Why do dogs struggle with home visits?
There are several reasons why a visiting dog might trigger defensive or aggressive behaviour from a resident dog:
- Territorial instincts: Many species, including dogs, display territorial behaviour. Some dogs feel more protective of their space than others.
- Confined space: Unlike meeting outdoors, home visits offer fewer escape routes, increasing the likelihood of defensive behaviour.
- Valuable resources: Food, beds, toys, and even human attention can all become sources of tension.
- Increased arousal: Both visitor and resident dogs may become excited or overwhelmed, leading to impulsive reactions.
- Unfamiliar dynamics: Even dogs who are friendly on walks may have never interacted in a home environment, which can change the social rules.
Case study: A successful dog visit
Recently, I had some friends over for dinner, and they needed to bring their dog, Rusty, along. Although Rusty and my dogs—Mohawk, Kanita, and Amigo—are familiar with each other on walks, they had never spent time together indoors. Given the potential for tension, I took proactive steps to ensure a smooth introduction.
Steps we took to set the dogs Up for Success
1. Preparing in advance
✅ Mohawk and Kanita wore harnesses to allow for easy handling if needed. Amigo is easily managed with treats, so he didn’t require one.
✅ We timed arrivals carefully. I asked all human guests to wait outside until everyone had arrived to prevent multiple spikes in excitement.
✅ The initial greeting happened outside, where there was more space. Rusty stayed in the car until my dogs were settled after greeting the humans.
2. Controlled entry into the home
✅ After greeting the humans, my dogs were brought inside behind a barrier so they could see Rusty before direct contact.
✅ Kanita, known for being expressive, was kept on a lead for initial introductions. Fortunately, she greeted Rusty with enthusiasm rather than hostility.
✅ Once Kanita had calmed down, Mohawk was allowed out, and finally, Amigo—who was primarily interested in treats!
3. Managing indoor interactions
✅ The resident dogs entered the home first and were given time to settle before Rusty was brought inside on a lead.
✅ A physical barrier was placed to divide the room, giving Rusty a dedicated space to settle.
✅ Rusty’s owners stayed close to him while we ate dinner to prevent food-related conflicts.
✅ No treats or chews were given inside the house to avoid unnecessary competition.
4. Monitoring arousal and social signals
Once food had been cleared, we removed the barrier and allowed Rusty more access to the room—except for the designated sleeping areas of my dogs.
At this point, Rusty became more excited, which raised the overall arousal level. Kanita responded by vocalising boundaries:
🐺 “DO NOT TOUCH MY STUFF!”
🐺 “CALM DOWN!”
🐺 “STOP JUMPING ON PEOPLE!”
🐺 “DO NOT BREATHE TOO LOUDLY!”
While her corrections were normal dog behaviour, they didn’t help Rusty relax. We gently encouraged Kanita to step away, allowing Rusty to self-regulate rather than feeling pressured.
At one point, Rusty jumped over the barrier unexpectedly. My dogs rushed toward him in surprise but immediately responded to a recall, avoiding any confrontation.
5. A positive outcome
After about 20–30 minutes, all dogs began to settle. They were happy together in the garden, where there was more space.
Despite the careful management, we still enjoyed our evening, had great conversations, and shared a meal—all without any incidents. The effort put into setting up the visit paid off, as future meetings will likely require less intervention.
Key takeaways for successful dog visits
- Manage introductions carefully. Consider meeting outdoors first and controlling entry into the house.
- Use physical barriers. Baby gates, playpens, or separate rooms can help ease transitions.
- Remove resources. Put away toys, food, and other valuables to reduce competition.
- Limit arousal. Avoid giving high-value treats or encouraging over-excited play.
- Watch body language. Recognise signs of stress or irritation and intervene early.
Not all dogs require this level of management, but if you’re unsure how your dog will react to visitors—or how another dog will react in your home—always err on the side of caution. Aggression in this context is not uncommon, and careful planning can prevent serious incidents.
By taking proactive steps, we can help our dogs feel safe and comfortable when sharing their space with canine guests.
