Family member winding up my dog

[ddodprob]

This sounds like a minor moan but am getting so pissed off.

I have a family member who comes to my home maybe around once every couple of months. My dog is a small breed and really still a puppy at one years old and can a bit excited when greeting people.

This person comes in and “winds up” (his own words) my dog from the moment he arrives until the moment he leaves- think waving hands around near dogs face, forcefully pushing him over to tickle his belly etc. Nothing nasty bit it gets my dog over excited and it’s almkst stressful to be around. My dog can be over exhiberant when greeting visitors but I’m trying to train him and if ignored he calms down after like two minutes but this family member keeps the dogs hyper with his stupid games - and it’s exhausting. I’ve sakd very clearly “don’t wind him up as (insert reasons including “he might bark and piss off neighbours, he doesn’t calm down, it’s ruinint our evening” but he persists. How on earth do I deal with this?

@golmandra - very good point! My dog is perhaps a little spoilt in this regard as we don’t ever lock him away as there has never been a need

Why aren’t you protecting your dog from this person who is harassing him in his own home? You’re putting your dog at risk of biting and being punished for something he was provoked into doing. Tell the relative he can’t come round, make him leave the dog alone or keep the dog away from him.

@cowface If it we’re my dad that would be eaiser (my dad though would Neber wind my dog up

To those who say I’m not protecting my dog - it’s only the third time (In around 14 months) thAt families memener has visited. When he was Small this behviour wasn’t really noticeable.

I’ve taken oh board all the comments and will not let this family member come into my home when ddog is there from now on (they life overseas so get good warning)

I would remove the dog from the room when he's present. Simple solution. I have two small breed dogs and if this happens when people visit I simply take them to another room until visitor leaves. Your home, your dog, your rules. He sounds like a twat and a bully btw. Don't think I could tolerate him in my home at all.

I have this exact issue with a couple of people. I'm a dog trainer. They still don't listen. But then find it off when the dog is calm around others and never them.
The only way to deal with it is for your foot to come firmly down.

*odd

Goldmandra made a good point;
There are other times it is appropriate for dogs to be shut away so it's worthwhile putting in some training time to make it a positive experience.

If you are worried about your dog freaking out, then start him off with a long walk so he is tired, and use a stair gate so he doesn't feel shut away.

Shut the dog away in another part of the house. When relative asks why say very clearly "because I've asked you repeatedly not to wind him up and you have ignored me". Then don't let the relative stay too long - say "well anyway, the poor dog has been locked away for long enough now so I think it's time for you to go"

Dh does the same to my sister's rather vicious cat. And then he wonders why the thing attacked me.