for me .. I think the dogs getting to watch and learn from you goes a long way. My invited company is for me, not my dogs. I put my dogs behind a baby gate they can watch me accept and interact with confidence with guest to our home. I had a pack of GSD's.. and my company was for me.. And it is what worked for them growing up. They bark and carry on behind the gate and we continue our visit and ignore them. They eventually sit, lay down, and fall asleep , that you didn't need the baby gate as they grew older.
I went to go pick up my female goats today and the lady had the (miniature Aussies) think that is correct name of them.. they came charging at me when I stepped out of my vehicle, one I was wearing knee high thick mud boots and couldn't be harmed by them, to tell the owners I'm just fine and ignored them. They smelling all my farm animals while we were talking ignoring them, not bothered by them, and the dogs settled right in that I was ok.. They were so darn cute but I ignored, focused on the owner, and they quickly game me a pass ..
I went to go pick up my female goats today and the lady had the (miniature Aussies) think that is correct name of them.. they came charging at me when I stepped out of my vehicle, one I was wearing knee high thick mud boots and couldn't be harmed by them, to tell the owners I'm just fine and ignored them. They smelling all my farm animals while we were talking ignoring them, not bothered by them, and the dogs settled right in that I was ok.. They were so darn cute but I ignored, focused on the owner, and they quickly game me a pass ..