5 Things for your Dog to Do When You Have Visitors

In the past few weeks, I've become aware that Elka, while greeting people who enter the house, is happy and enthusiastic, but a little....too...enthusiastic. Once people have fully entered and are settled, things get a bit better, but she is big, and her enthusiasm may be overwhelming.

Command Clinic: Go to your Bed

Elka is allowed on the furniture.  I declared this early in our relationship.  There are, however, times it would be really useful for Elka to lay on her own bed.  When the couches and chairs are full of humans, for instance.

If all of the "comfy" spots are taken, Elka will frequently pace around for the entirety of the time, sometimes soliciting play or pets, sometimes not.  Judicious application of a Kong or Monster Mouth frequently helps.  But having her realize she can lay down on her bed would help a lot more! I mean, really, I can't blaming Elka for preferring the furniture; it's clearly warmer and more comfy. However, we've begun to work, in earnest, on "go to your bed!"