Exuberance in a puppy is a good trait, but there are times when pups get too excited. Greeting a new person can result in spinning and uncontrollable movement to the point you can’t even pet them. You can help calm your overexuberant pup with some patience and training. The American Kennel Club’s S.T.A.R. puppy director, Mary Burch, offers tips to help get your overexuberant puppy to sit politely for petting.

— Is your puppy’s excitement caused by attention? If so, while you’re training, only pet your puppy when he’s calm.

— Try using distractors, such as a favorite treat or toy, for your puppy and only give them when he has calmed down.

— Start teaching basic skills like sit and down. Sit and down are incompatible behaviors to the overexcited, moving-around greeting, so as your puppy perfects these skills they will help him stay still for petting.

— Continue frequently socializing your puppy so he learns how to behave appropriately for petting from new people he meets.

— Make sure your puppy is used to being touched. Brushing your pup is a good exercise to help get him accustomed to touching.

First Published: November 10, 2014, 1:25 p.m.