Meet Gizmo: Gypsy’s New Brother Who Has Zero Concept of Personal Space

Over Thanksgiving vacation, we met Gypsy’s newest little brother, Gizmo—who lives with Gypsy’s grandmother and came fully equipped with excitement, enthusiasm, and absolutely no understanding of personal boundaries.

The moment I sat down on the couch, Gizmo saw his opportunity.

From behind.

Every time.

Jumping, licking, and acting like this encounter was the highlight of his entire existence.

When You Meet a Puppy Who Chooses Chaos

Gizmo isn’t my puppy, but that didn’t stop him from immediately deciding I was his new favorite piece of furniture.

If I sat:

• He jumped.

• He licked.

• He climbed.

• He doubled down.

This wasn’t bad behavior—it was overstimulated, affectionate, brand-new puppy energy, mixed with the excitement of meeting new people in a new environment.

Anyone who has spent time around young dogs knows: vacations + new faces = maximum chaos.

The Only Way I Got Any Peace on the Couch

After a few surprise attacks, I realized something quickly:

Trying to push him away or laugh it off only made things worse.

What actually worked was:
Gently holding him still and giving him firm, calm rub downs.

No scolding.
No excitement.
No reinforcing the jumping.

Within moments, his body relaxed, the licking stopped, and he settled down like a completely different dog.

Why This Worked So Well

Many puppies don’t need less attention—they need regulated attention.

For Gizmo, being calmly held and rubbed:

• Helped him settle his nervous system

• Gave him safe physical contact without overstimulation

• Redirected his excitement into calm connection

• Prevented the jumping and licking from becoming a game

It was a simple reset in a high-energy moment.

Managing Puppy Chaos (Even When It’s Not Your Puppy)

Spending time with Gizmo reminded me how helpful it is to have the right tools—especially when visiting family with puppies who are still learning the rules of the world.

Things that make situations like this easier include:

• Mental stimulation toys to burn off extra energy

• Chew options for mouthy puppies

• Calming tools that help puppies settle

• Simple training aids that reinforce calm behavior

I’ve linked the items I personally use and recommend below for anyone dealing with excitable, affectionate puppies—whether they’re yours or not.

👉 [See my favorite puppy essentials here https://amzn.to/4rLnxGf ]

Final Thoughts From Thanksgiving Couch Duty

Gizmo isn’t “bad.”
He’s a puppy meeting new people in a new place and doing his best to handle big feelings in a little body.

Whether you’re visiting family, hosting guests, or spending time around young dogs, patience—and a few good tools—go a long way.

As for Gizmo?
By the end of Thanksgiving vacation, he was still enthusiastic… just slightly less likely to attack from behind.

Progress.