Q. Help! Every year during the holidays, we have our annual gathering of family and friends. Our dogs get really stimulated by the visitors and bark at guests and jump on them. What can I do to teach them how to greet guests with a little less gusto?

A. So you've planned the perfect holiday gathering right down to the smallest details, complete with a spectacular feast and a spotless home. The doorbell rings and your dogs go into overdrive, barking ferociously and pawing your best-dressed guests. Your friends will pretend it doesn't matter but the truth is, the family dogs often set the tone for your holiday gathering — and a little bit of training can make the difference.

Before your gathering, here are a few simple practices to experiment with.

First, understand that your dog may be jumping to greet visitors face to face. You'll notice that dogs greet each other nose to nose. He's trying to greet your friends in a way that's innate to a canine.

But it's possible to teach dogs proper human greeting etiquette. To recondition your pet, have a friend ring the doorbell. Before you open the door, command him to sit and stay, and ensure that you reinforce the proper behavior with a treat. Practice this new behavior over and over.

If his enthusiasm is incorrigible, practice answering the door with your dog on a leash. Don't open the door until the barking ceases and he has obeyed your command to sit and stay.

Never allow your dog to greet you with a shove of his paws or a jump. It creates confusion about when this behavior is acceptable. If he should do this, simply cross your arms, turn away from him and say "no" in a stern voice. This tells him that this behavior is not acceptable — whether it's you or a friend at the door.

Lastly, ensure your dogs are well exercised before your guests' arrival. A long walk or a visit to a nearby dog park can help. If you're strapped for time, hire a neighborhood teen looking for extra Christmas money to give your dogs a workout before your guests arrive.

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