Dog expert shares the reason dogs get excited when you come home

A common experience for countless dog owners involves returning to their road, opening the front door, and being met by their pet as though they somehow predicted their homecoming. While many believe it’s purely devotion or acute hearing, specialists suggest the reasoning is more intricate and remarkably scientific. Based on animal behaviour studies, dogs don’t merely depend on sound. They are exceptionally sensitive to routine, minor environmental signals, and even fluctuations in scent concentrations within the household.

Chris Maxted, director of British dog safety gate company Dog-G8, explains the behaviour stems from pattern recognition. “Dogs are masters at noticing tiny changes in their environment,” he notes. “They track patterns, and your return home is one of the most predictable events in their day.”

He continues: “Owners often assume their dog hears the engine from streets away. But in many cases, dogs are already anticipating your arrival before you even turn into the road.”

Dogs develop expectations founded on time-related routines, neighbourhood sound patterns, lighting variations and movement within the property, reports Wales Online.

He added: “If you usually return at 6pm, your dog begins to associate certain environmental signals with that event. Over time, the build-up becomes part of the ritual.”

While attachment certainly plays a part, Chris explains the behaviour is more systematic than many assume. “Of course, dogs form strong bonds with their owners. But this doorway behaviour is largely about routine and learned association. You’ve unknowingly trained them to predict your entrance.”

He notes that highly consistent schedules intensify anticipation, which explains why certain dogs found it difficult when lockdown patterns abruptly altered. “When patterns shift, dogs can appear confused or unsettled because their expectations are disrupted.”

One hypothesis, examined by canine cognition researchers, proposes dogs may also detect gradual variations in scent concentrations within the home.

“As your scent fades throughout the day, it potentially acts as a kind of sensory marker. When it reaches a certain point, combined with routine cues, your dog may anticipate that you’re about to return,” Chris explains.

There’s also a specific reason dogs are drawn to the front door. “The front door is a high-energy location in most homes. It’s where walks start, deliveries arrive, and owners leave and return. Dogs quickly learn that important events happen there.”

Over time, that space becomes what behaviourists frequently describe as an “anticipation hotspot”. Chris observes: “That’s why some dogs also get visibly excited or restless as your expected arrival time approaches.”

While waiting by the door is typically harmless, in certain homes it can develop into jumping, barking, spinning or even attempts to dash out.

Left unchecked, such anticipation may become excessive, especially for adolescent or energetic dogs.

“Try to keep greetings calm rather than turning them into a big event,” Chris advises, suggesting people enter calmly, put bags down, and then greet the dog once they’ve settled.

“It’s also important to reward the behaviour you want to see. So if your dog sits or waits quietly, give them attention and praise. Over time, they’ll learn that calm gets a response and jumping and barking does not.”