The "Greeting at the door" post prompted this.  Don't laugh, but I do this with our Lab girl.  While still a puppy I noticed that she quickly associated new names with new people.  She was a bit timid about meeting new humans and I found that introductions made it clear to her that a new person was a friend.  Ie. "this is Sue.  Sue is a good girl.  Good girl Sue.  Does Sue have a biscuit for Jet?"  And I put my hand on Sue's arm.

There is a catch though.  Every person has to have a different name.  We know several fellows named Bob but Jet only recognizes her Uncle Bob by name.  The others have to be Robert or Mr. So and So.  :)  But it does seem to work to make her feel more accepting of new people.

I don't with my dogs, but I might with Remy - he's been a bit iffy lately with people coming to the door, but I think simply the word "biscuit" (his most favourite in the world :D) and a treat from a visitor would do it :D

Oh Bless :-) that is so sweet, I'm afraid I am much more basic than that, my girl and family dogs just watch my body language and listen to my voice, if I am relaxed and calm people are automatically accepted as my friends and treated with a wag of tail and are welcomed to give an hello pat and then completely ignored whilst they go off and do something else.

If I'm friendly but not quite so happy go lucky as usual they will stay around me to make sure all is well.

They are all a lot quicker to pick up on my signals than even I am. :-)

I'm afraid I've never had to do this - all and sundry are welcomed with a fishtailing back end. However if you dog is nervous of someone hug them. It shows you're friendly with them and covers them in your smell.
now I can just see a few of you thinking of how to pretend you have nervouse dogs around your hunky taxi drivers and vets! :-D

This probably sounds really silly but I found that when Nips was an excitable pup, introducing him to friends and family seemed to have a settling effect and also stopped him barking like an eejit every time someone set foot on the drive. Basically because I'd say "Oh that'll be ........" when their car drew up and as Nips got older he learnt to differentiate between the sound of people he knew.

Nowadays, he gives the postman an occasional bark (mainly because he seems to think the postman expects it) and saves a good telling off for the dustmen (they're miserable gits and Nips seems to know this!) the very nice recycling men and the coalman.

He thought Christmas had come early when we had a skip delivered the other week and capered about on the chair by the sitting room window giving the chap who brought it a real mouthful. Since the chap in question has a JRT himself, he fell about laughing and  came in to be introduced. Which almost certainly means he'll be added to Nips's list of "friends and family".

Tend to do the opposite with our dogs :D We slip them into the lounge with the minimum of fuss after the visitors are sitting down :) They seem to accept people better if they haven't actually seen them come through the front door and react better if they have been in the same room for a while before actually being stroked etc :D :D

Daisy

My lot assume that all visitors have come expressly to see them, and woudl be most offended if not introduced forth with :D  they will then sit on their feet so they can't escape.

Elkhound slippers!! I'll be right over :-D can I have one for each foot please, and one for my lap.

There are plenty to go around at the mo, 3 full size and 14 mini warmers. 

My lot like to welcome guests (who they all assume have come specifically to meet them) by sitting on their HEADS, leaning on them, getting into their laps....

If its a guest guest, then guest comes in, sits down, i release the hounds and instruct guests to ignore dogs for a few minutes. When the head bouncing stops, then guests are introduced to dogs.....

If its a workman type visitor, dogs stay away and i may introduce one or two seperately as a good 'meet the guest nicely' experience. (sadly i get too many of the 'oh its fine let him bounce on my head' type guests!).

Strangely my lot somehow recently have become CONVINCED that ANY car arriving, car door slamming to be heard means a guest is about to enter the house.

Now i have approx 2 people come here in cars, one lives next door but one anyway and his van sounds notably different from anything else adn the other is my mother who has not in 4 years, set foot across teh threshold and hates dogs anyway....

So why do they suddenly seem to think they have friends who drive cars!

Em