Jumping

[joana]

Hi,

I'm posting for the second time today. Just adopted a rescue dog. She's a Lab Mix, small (45lbs). 1 and 1/2 years old. She is very good. knows sit, stay, down, come. Is submissive and loving. However, she jumps up at ppl for petting. She's strong and it's not good. I have her on a gentle lead at all times for now and was told that when she jumps, I should tug gently and shout "off" in a very growly voice (mimicking what her dog-mother would have done to show displease). As soon as she gets off, I praise her lavishly and even give her a treat sometimes. I also ask her to sit and then pet her or let the person she's jumped on pet her. i guess it's been working in so far as she gets down when told to but it hasn't stopped her from doing it. Mind you, I've only had her for a day. Some people advocate the ignoring technique where you simply turn your back on the dog when she jumps, ignore her for a few minutes and then ask her to follow a command you know she can do in order to praise her. Now, while that may work at home with me and my family, it does not with strangers. They instinctively say 'No' or 'off'. So I don't know which technique to use. Would it confuse her if I used the 'ignore technique' at home but the harsh 'off' outside or with guests? Help, please. This is a terrible habbit and it is potentially dangerous around small children.

Thanks so much.

Joana

 

[danitashop]

You are on the right track. The best for family members is to learn the ignore command, and soon she will learn that jumping does not get her attention. Also, when our dogs jumped on us, we let them place their paws on our shoulders and then we started to walk backwards, they really disliked that.

Another method is to learn to read their body languaje to see when they are about to jump, and then catch them in mid air, then push their shoulders (gently!!!) back to the ground, so you cut the jump before it's completed.

Once they learn that, you can have a neighbor help you by coming in and out of the house, tell your dog the Stay command and see if that works. Ask your visitors not to pet your dog until she has settled down, then have them feed her nice treats, so she sees that being quiet gets her more rewards.

With those tricks, our old english sheepdogs don't jump on people (that much ), but they still sniff visitors to death... but at least there's no muddy paw prints on my friend's shirts.

A Lab is more manageable than an old english sheepdog, so I'm sure some of the advise will do wonders for you.... Thanks for rescuing a dog!!!

 

[smkie]

I went thru that exact same thing with victor and posted a similar thread..will go try to find it and come back