Vet‑Approved 2025: 3 Essential Commands for Visiting Family 🐶👪

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Family visits with your dog should be fun and stress-free for both the pet and the people. In 2025, veterinary professionals stress the importance of three core commands before stepping into someone else's home or backyard: Potty, Off/Jump‑down, and Sit. These cues manage toileting, excitement, and polite greetings, ensuring your dog is welcome everywhere. Let’s dive into each with vet-approved strategies, real-world setups, and your dog’s path to polite houseguest behavior. 🐾✨

1. 💧 Command #1: Potty—House Training for New Places

Even fully house-trained dogs may become anxious in new environments and have accidents. Teach a clear potty cue (“go potty,” “do your business”) and use it consistently in all contexts—family homes, grassy yards, patios, and porches.

• On arrival: Take your dog out immediately and use your cue — reward with high-value praise and a treat when they go.
• After drinking or eating: Prompt with your cue and gently guide outdoors.
• Carry treats: Keep small rewards ready for reinforcing new-site successes.

This ensures polite potty habits wherever you go and avoids embarrassing mishaps.

2. 🚫 Command #2: Off / Jump‑Down—Managing Excitement

Jumping on relatives is a top complaint from hosts, and often unintentionally rewarded with attention, petting, or play.

• Teach “Off”: Ignore jumping, wait for four paws on the floor, then mark and reward. Alternatively, use “Off” cue and reward when obeyed.
• Practice regularly: Simulate greetings with a helper. When your dog jumps, step away and wait for a calm greeting before engaging.
• Reward polite behavior: When your dog sits calmly to greet someone, reinforce it with treats and praise.

Consistent, calm greetings show your dog that polite behavior earns attention, not jumping.

3. 🪑 Command #3: Sit—Polite Greetings & Calm Behavior

“Sit” is the anchor for polite behavior—it prevents jumping, wandering, and rushing furniture.

• Extend sitting: After your dog sits, delay treats for a few seconds. Gradually increase this to build a calm duration.
• Use in greetings: Ask visitors to help by having your dog sit before being petted or receiving treats.
• Set rules early: Ask your dog to sit before entering doors, stepping up on sofas, or during family introductions.

A well-trained sit teaches restraint, courtesy, and calm conversations.

📋 Integrating All Three Commands During Visits

🎓 Vet Insight: Why These Commands Matter

• House training cues cut stress—it’s easier to maintain routines in unfamiliar settings.
• Controlling jumping and greetings prevents accidents, anxiety, and awkward interruptions.
• “Sit” builds impulse control and reinforces calm presence around family members or other pets.

🛠 Troubleshooting Common Challenges

• Forgot potty cue: Retake your dog outside, use the cue again."
• Jumping despite the cue: Walk away calmly, then ask the visitor to ignore you until calm.
• Restless during sitting: Gradually increase duration, use treats and praise.
• Accident at home: Clean thoroughly, revisit the potty training routine in that environment.

📱 Ask A Vet App 2025 Support

• 📹 Submit greeting or arrival videos—get expert feedback on timing, pacing, and markers.
• 🧩 Receive tailored visit-ready training plans—with cue integration for sit, potty, and greetings.
• 💬 Live coaching—receive real-time help navigating introductions or missteps during visits.

❤️ Final Thoughts

Visiting family should mean warm smiles and relaxed conversations, not cleaning up a mess or dodging jumping dogs. By mastering three vet-approved commands—Sit, Off/Jump‑down, and Potty—you ensure polite manners, calm behavior, and seamless house visits. In 2025, these skills reflect respect, tranquility, and trust for you and your dog. 🐶✨

Want greeting etiquette printables, cue checklists, or scenario drills? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for expert-reviewed training guidance, video feedback, and on-call help for peaceful and respectful family visits every time! 🐾