Greetings Can be Chaotic
When company arrives, my dogs bark eagerly and move toward the door with excitement. When the visitors enter, Drake bounces around joyfully in his high-pitched vocalization, filled with love and enthusiasm. He has a big heart and loves everyone!
Jade has a natural leadership presence and approaches with confidence—her back straight, legs firm, head held high, and tail neutral. As she steadily barks, she keeps her eyes on the visitor, signaling her role as a guardian. It’s in her nature to give an alarm bark and wait for me to either call her away or reassure her that this guest is welcome. She isn’t afraid; she simply wants to ensure our home remains safe. This is one of the many qualities that make German Shepherds so special. Their instinct to bark and assess a situation, all while maintaining control, is part of what makes them such wonderful companions.
Different Responses
Less social dogs who become overly aroused in the presence of a stranger may rush and bite when scared. Social dogs rarely bite, as they like people, unless they have been trained as protection dogs.
Passive dogs who are unsure about a person will often lower themselves to the ground, to avoid conflict with the person they are afraid of. Fearful dogs who have more confidence to keep themselves safe will often bark rapidly while approaching and backing away until they resolve the visitor.
Dogs with strong social confidence may use a deep growl to signal that they need space. This growl is not a sign of aggression but rather a form of communication that should be respected, not punished. It’s completely normal for a dog to let a person or another dog know, “I need you to give me space until I feel comfortable.”
Instead of correcting the growl, focus on changing the dog’s emotions in a positive way. When the dog begins to feel more at ease, the growl will naturally fade on its own. Understanding and respecting this behavior helps build trust and a stronger relationship between you and the dog.
Greeting the adults
When my son, his wife, and our first grandson arrived, I chose to put both Drake and Jade in my bedroom. I wanted to have a warm and emotional greeting first without distractions! Once the house felt calmer, I planned to introduce them to Drake and Jade.
While both dogs are familiar with my son and his wife, neither had met my 12-month-old grandson, Mitchell. Taking things slowly, step by step, would ensure a smoother and positive introduction for everyone.
While Mitchell was asleep, I handed my son Jade’s toy as I let her out of the bedroom. She calmly walked with me to the kitchen and greeted them both—without a single bark! I was so proud of her! My son played catch with her and she quickly leaned in for petting. Jade is naturally less likely to bark when the environment is calm, and especially when Drake isn’t adding his signature “German Shepherd singing” to the mix for our guests.
Greeting Mitchell
With Drake and Jade behind a gate, I carried a smiling Mitchell up to introduce him. As I squatted down to speak to the dogs, Mitchell squirmed away and approached the gate. Jade looked at Mitchell and let out the deepest growl I had ever heard from her. I was surprised and gave her a look of acknowledgment. She wagged her tail at me, then turned her attention back to Mitchell.
Meanwhile, Drake stepped forward, gently reaching for Mitchell’s hand near the gate. “Good boy, Drake,” I said, praising his calm and curious approach. Jade took a step back, observing as Drake and I shared a joyful moment with Mitchell before I walked away.
Specific Socialization
I tell my clients that dogs warm up to people much faster when the people add value to their lives, whether through food, toys, or even the presence of another dog. Since Jade loves toys, that was my go-to approach.
To set her up for success, I adjusted the environment. I kept Mitchell safely confined in the playroom while allowing Jade the freedom to move anywhere in the house. This gave her a sense of control and choice, helping her feel more comfortable and less confined.
Mitchell loves to toss toys outside his play area, and this turned out to be the perfect way to help Jade feel more comfortable! I handed him a few of her favorite balls, and he was more than happy to toss them over the gate toward her.
At first, Jade watched intently, studying Mitchell’s movements as if trying to understand this little human’s game. She hesitated for just a moment, then picked up one of the toys and gave it a playful shake. That small playful action was a big step in her warming up to Mitchell.
“Good girl,” I praised her, reinforcing the positive interaction. By allowing Jade to engage on her own terms, while Mitchell continued offering value through play, their relationship began to build in a natural and stress-free way.
Progress
Jade quickly made progress and began trying to drop her toys over the gate to Mitchell. This showed she wanted to engage him, which is a great way to build a trusting relationship.
Mitchell was equally a great participant from his highchair. While my son was not thrilled, I was asking Mitchell to throw food to my dog. I assured my son this was important to strengthen their relationship.
I explained to my son that Mitchell and Jade were both learning the importance of connection and teamwork in this activity. It was important to me to help Jade feel more comfortable with my grandson to prevent any stress on future visits. It was equally important that Mitchell felt a sense of safety and enjoyment while visiting my home for the first time!
Socialization is the key to building a strong foundation for our dogs. Jade clearly let me know she was uncomfortable meeting a one-year-old human for the first time. The process above was instrumental in beginning a trusting relationship between Mitchell and Jade.