Turning My Dogs Into Perfect Houseguests Will Never Happen

Hi, I’m Allison! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my three mixed-breed dogs from Thailand, Jelly, Lorraina, and Manic.

I envy people who can bring their dogs anywhere. I read about dog-friendly restaurants and outdoor bars and wish we could hang out there. However, I know what would happen if they saw other dogs: Manic would growl and lunge, Jelly would pace uncomfortably, and Lorraina would stab any dog next to her with a switchblade she so cleverly hid from me.

But what about people? If we had people at our house, would they feel less on the defensive? Could I turn my dogs into the perfect houseguests? I have my doubts.

Disclaimer Alert! Disclaimer Alert!

Right now, you must think I am the worst dog parent ever. How could someone who owns dogs have not had them perfectly socialized? Shame (rings a bell). Shame (rings a bell). I hope someone got this reference.

But let me explain: They were brought up in Thailand, where they were used to a pack mentality. All dogs on the island were part of a pack, contributing to their territorial nature. A dog without a pack was left vulnerable. Solo dogs were sometimes killed if they wandered into a pack’s territory.

So, my trio was formed. They came together over the years and watched out for each other in their own little area. If another dog wandered into their neck of the woods, they defended it. This meant, of course, they would not stray from their territory either. A pack of three was not a match for a pack of four or five.

Despite being in the USA, where it is more common to have other dogs sniff each other, it just does not work for my gang.

Attempting to Have Visitors

To prepare my visitors, I give people a rundown of my dogs’ personalities and how to act around them.

Jelly can be a bit “barky” around strangers at first. The best thing to do is let her sniff your hand and ignore her until she approaches you again. She likes being around people she knows, so when she feels comfortable, she will welcome pats on the head and scruff behind the ears. If you are sitting on the couch, she may jump up next to you. However, she does not really like being held. She is more content just being in someone’s presence.

Shockingly, Lorraina is the most welcoming of strangers. My husband and I often joke that if a burglar broke into our house, Lorraina would approach them, wagging her tail, and lead them where we kept our money and passports. However, if the intruder had been a dog, she would lash out with the fury equivalent to Wolverine. With Lorraina, always approach her from the front, never from behind her. She has mild PTSD, so she must see you before petting.

Ahh, my special little guy. When you first meet Manic, he will bark and jump on you, trying to show dominance. He has a deep bark, so it can seem a bit intimidating. However, once he warms up to you, he will snuggle on your lap and rub against your legs like a large cat.

I am sure when I get down to the details of each dog’s traits and quirks, it might turn people off. Some people have the luxury of simply pointing at their dog and saying to houseguests, “This is my dog. He likes treats.” There are no warnings, special treatments, or explanations for why their dog is the way he is.

But hey, once you get to know them, I promise you, you will love them.

Different Dogs, Different Personalities

The best part of owning a dog is how different each one is from the next. You would be hard-pressed to find two dogs with the same personality. And who would want all dogs to act the same? A dog’s beauty lies in how different they are. In a world of show dogs, we need ones who leap joyfully into muddy puddles.