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Four on the Floor: Creating a Well-Mannered Dog at Home

 

A well-mannered dog isn’t just about knowing commands—it’s about everyday behaviors that make them a joy to live with. Whether it’s greeting people politely, keeping paws off the counters, or staying calm in social settings, foundational training at home helps create a balanced and respectful dog.

One of the simplest yet most important training principles is "Four on the Floor"—keeping all four paws on the ground instead of jumping or counter surfing. While jumping is often a sign of excitement and counter surfing is driven by curiosity (and the possibility of a tasty snack), both habits can be prevented with structure, consistency, and positive reinforcement.

Teaching Polite Greetings

Jumping up is a natural behavior for dogs; they want to say hello face-to-face! However, reinforcing calm, polite greetings is key to preventing unwanted jumping on guests, children, or even strangers on walks.

How to Reinforce "Four on the Floor" at the Door

• Ignore jumping. Dogs crave attention, so any reaction—even scolding—can reinforce the behavior. Instead, turn away and withhold attention until all four paws are on the floor.
• Reward calm behavior. As soon as your dog remains grounded, offer gentle praise or a small treat to reinforce the right choice.
• Teach an alternative greeting. Before they get too excited, cue a "sit" and reward them for staying seated while you or a guest interacts with them.
• Be consistent. Make sure everyone in your household follows the same rules, so your dog learns that calm greetings are always the expectation.

If your dog struggles with self-control, having them wait on a designated "place" (like a dog bed) when guests arrive can help. Over time, they’ll associate visitors with staying calm rather than jumping for attention.

Counter Surfing: Why Dogs Do It & How to Stop It

Just like jumping, counter surfing is often an issue of reinforcement—if a dog finds food once, they’ll keep checking. Unlike jumping, however, counter surfing can be more rewarding because even one successful attempt makes the habit worthwhile to them.

Preventing Counter Surfing at Home

• Manage the environment. The easiest way to stop counter surfing is to prevent access to food. Keep counters clear, store food securely, and push items toward the back of surfaces.

• Reinforce an incompatible behavior. Teaching a solid "place" command ensures your dog has a designated spot to stay while you’re in the kitchen. Reward them for choosing their spot rather than hovering near food.
• Interrupt and redirect. If your dog starts sniffing the counters, redirect them to something more appropriate, like a chew toy or a puzzle feeder.

Dogs repeat behaviors that get them what they want. By removing opportunities for self-rewarding and reinforcing the right choices, counter surfing can become a thing of the past.

Beyond the Basics: Creating a Well-Mannered Dog

A polite, well-behaved dog isn’t just about keeping paws on the floor—it’s about fostering good habits and social skills in all areas of life.

1. Socialization & Exposure: Proper socialization helps prevent anxiety-driven behaviors and teaches your dog how to navigate different environments confidently. Introduce your pup to new people, places, and experiences gradually, making sure each interaction is positive.

2. Teaching Impulse Control: Dogs who can manage their impulses are naturally more well-mannered. Simple exercises like waiting before eating, sitting at doors before going outside, and practicing loose-leash walking all contribute to a more patient, polite dog.

3. Reinforcing Calmness: A dog who knows how to relax in different settings is easier to manage at home and in public. Encourage restful behaviors by rewarding quiet moments and providing structured downtime.

Let Us Help with Your Dog’s Training!

At The Bark Avenue Inn, we believe that a well-trained dog is a happy dog! That’s why we offer basic obedience training as an add-on to any boarding stay or daycare session. Whether your pup needs help with polite greetings, counter surfing, leash manners, or socialization, we’ll reinforce good habits while they’re here.

Want to add training to your dog’s next stay? Contact us today to learn more!