The house is glowing with festive lights and adorned with decorations, and the family is decked out in their holiday finery. You've even remembered to review the rules of etiquette with the kids.

But unless the family pet has had a refresher course in manners, you may not be fully prepared for the holidays.

"Everyone, especially the dog, will have a much better time if the dog is well-behaved and interacts with guests in a sociable manner," said Bill Carnes, professional dog trainer at Best Friends Pet Resort & Salon in Duluth, GA. Carnes offers a process for teaching your pet how to be the perfect host:

Socialize your pet
Expose Rover to people early and often. "The biggest behavior problem I see in dogs is caused by under-socialization," said Carnes. "A scared and confused dog will not handle new situations well." The more experience a pet has interacting with humans of all shapes and sizes (and smells), the better equipped he will be to handle new situations. It's advisable - and fun -- to take your dog with you anywhere pets are allowed.

Socializing with other dogs is important, too, but only in a controlled environment. Best Friends trainers stress that Doggy Day Camp programs are one of the best options for dog socialization. Canine campers are not on their guard to protect their territory or their pack leader, and do not feel threatened. They're just having fun with one another, and learning how to interact.

Review basic commands
Reinforcing that you are Rover's leader reassures him of his place in the family "pack" and offers both of you a sense of security and order.

"The dog's attention must be on you, and not on everyone else around him," Carnes explains, "because once a dog reaches a stage of excitement, his logical thinking is gone. Basic commands and strict obedience help you avoid that stage."

Some pups are too young, undisciplined or excited to mind their manners when the doorbell rings. In those situations, the dog should be kept on a short leash until all the guests have arrived. Once the dog has adjusted to the new stimuli, let him wander and explore the room. Keep him leashed until you're sure he'll comply.

It's also common courtesy to keep those cute little paws from jumping up on your guests. For a refresher on how to do that, see "Dealing with Jumping Up".

Remember: reward = repeat
Trainers stress that rewarded behaviors are always repeated. If Fido's sitting at your feet, waiting for those crumbs to "unintentionally" drop, he's going to keep sitting there, or move on to the next diner. If he jumps up to greet a guest and she responds with a friendly pat on the head, she may find herself with a canine escort for the evening.

Don't be surprised if, despite your hard work and training, Fido falls back on his ill manners. Carnes warns of an "extinction burst." In this phenomenon, dogs will try even harder to get what they want, despite the negative reactions. Be persistent, and your four-legged friend will eventually get the message, and you and your guests will be rewarded with a well-behaved, delightful pooch.

For more help with your pet's behavior or to find a qualified dog trainer, contact your local Best Friends Pet Resort. To find the Best Friends nearest you, go to the Our Centers section of this website.