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How to deal with a jumping dog
Jumping is a really common problem among dogs - or should I say among
dog owners? It’s rarely a problem for the dogs themselves – in fact, jumping seems to act as a reward in itself. It’s a different kettle of fish for the exasperated owner, who’s forced to deal with a new set of muddy footprints/gouges in their skin and clothes/offended guests/ scared children! Many owners inadvertently encourage jumping behavior from puppyhood: when a small puppy comes gamboling up to us, wiggling with excitement and making small, clumsy leaps at our knees, it’s almost natural to lean down and respond in kind. Effectively, we reward that puppy’s “jump-y” greeting by reacting with exuberant affection, hugs and kisses. The puppy learns a fast lesson: jumping is a good thing, because it results in plenty of positive attention and physical contact. Your dog doesn’t understand the difference between a jump as a small, cute puppy, and a jump as a huge, hairy adult. To a dog, a greeting is a greeting, and just because he’s aged by a few months is no reason to stop jumping – at least, not voluntarily. You’ll need to take matters into your own hands, and make it perfectly clear to your dog that jumping is no longer an option. When is jumping not appropriate? Obviously, whether or not you’re prepared to accept your dog’s insistence on redefining verticality all comes down to personal preference. Many owners of smaller dogs actually expect them to jump up – among toy dog owners, jumping seems to be viewed as a sign of excitement and affection on the dog’s behalf. The good news is that these dogs aren’t likely to knock anyone flying when they’re feeling rambunctious, and they’re small enough that their size usually won’t intimidate any but the youngest of children. On the other hand, there’s rarely a scenario where strangers will actively welcome being leapt up on by an unknown dog, regardless of said dog’s size; really, it’s just plain good form to teach your dog the “off” command, so that you’re prepared for those incidences when you’re not directly on hand to stop the jumping behavior. For owners of large-breed dogs, the “off” (or “no jump”) command is mandatory. Big dogs are often taller than humans when they rear up on their hind legs (and just imagine the experience from a child’s point of view, with a dog’s slavering jaws looming above your own head!) – they’re often heavy enough to knock smaller adults tip over tail. At the very least, a large dog’s paws are heavy enough to gouge long rents in cloth and exposed flesh. Bruising and scratches are unpleasant enough to deal with when they’re your own problem; but they’re much worse when your dog’s inflicted them on somebody else! Really, any kind of jumping that involves anyone apart from yourself is just bad form. All owners with even pretensions of responsibility should arm their dogs with a reliable recall to the “off” command – just in case. Why does jumping happen? The main reason that most dogs jump up is simply out of excitement: it’s an enthusiastic greeting, reserved for times when adrenaline’s running high and the dog’s happy about something. Many dogs don’t jump at all, apart from when their owner returns home after a relatively prolonged absence (like the average workday). If your dog is leaping up on you in these circumstances, there’s no sinister motivation at work he he’s literally jumping for joy. A less common, but more serious, reason that some dogs will jump is to exert their dominance over you (or over whomever they’re jumping on). Dogs are pack animals: they live in designated hierarchies of social rank and order. When a dog needs to assert his dominance over a lesser animal, one way of doing so is to declare physical superiority, which is usually done by “jumping up”: he’ll sling one or both paws over the other dog’s shoulders. You’ll be able to tell the basic reason for your dog’s jumping simply by considering the circumstances surrounding the event. If he only jumps up in periods of great excitement (like during play-time, or when you return home from work) then he’s clearly just demonstrating an exuberant frame of mind. If the behavior occurs in a variety of situations, then it’s more likely that he’s expressing dominance over you, which is a more complex issue – the jumping’s just a symptom of an underlying attitude and communication issue. Essentially, you’ll need to make some serious adjustments to your overall relationship with your dog, and brush up on your alpha-dog techniques (tip: SitStayFetch has some fantastic resources on coping with a dominant dog – there’s a link to the site at the bottom of the page). Four paws on the ground, please! How you react to your dog’s jumping plays a big role in whether or not that behavior gets repeated. You’re going to need to make a prolonged effort to be consistent in how you choose to deal with this problem: for your dog to stop jumping, he needs to be taught that it is never ever acceptable for him to do so. This means that you can’t allow him to jump sometimes, but forbid him from doing it at other times. Your dog can’t understand the difference between a playful and an irritable mood, or your work and play clothes: all he understands is that, if you allow him to jump up on some occasions, he’ll try to jump up on you whenever he feels like it, because he doesn’t know any better. Stopping the jumping Most trainers agree that the most effective way for you to weed out unwanted behaviors (like jumping) in your dog is also the easiest: all you have to do is simply ignore him whenever he jumps up. The idea is to give him the cold shoulder: withdraw all attention, even negative attention (so no yelling, shoving, or corrections). Here’s how to implement this training technique: whenever your dog jumps up on you, turn your back straight away. Since dogs understand body language a lot more clearly than they do the spoken word, you’re going to be using your posture to convey the message that such behavior isn’t acceptable he fold your arms, turn your back, turn your face away from him and avert your eyes. ‘ This is where a lot of people make a mistake: they confuse ignoring the behavior with ignoring the dog. You’re not ignoring the behavior - i.e., you’re not carrying on with whatever you were doing as if the jumping wasn’t happening; you’re ignoring your dog. You’re still going to react; but your reaction is for you to actively ignore him. The cold shoulder is a really effective way of communicating your displeasure to a dog – he’ll catch on very quickly. Without the encouragement of your attention and your reactions to his behavior, he’ll calm down very quickly indeed. When to praise When all four paws are on the ground, then – and only then – you can praise the heck out of him! Don’t be confused by the proximity of the positive reinforcement to the negative – dogs have a very short “training memory”, and are only capable of associating a reaction from you with whatever behavior it is they’re exhibiting at the time of that reaction. So, it’s perfectly OK for you to react with wild enthusiasm the very second that his paws touch the ground, even if you were cold- shouldering him the split-second before. Recommended Reading: http://cateaters.blogspot.com/ For more information on understanding and solving canine behavioral problems, you’d probably be interested in checking out my blog. http://cateaters.blogspot.com/ I hope that my blog brings an understanding between you and you best friend and creates a healthier more enjoyable lifestyle. Jay |
#3
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How to deal with a jumping dog
I've broken many a dog from jumping up on me. The owner asks me, "How come
he doesn't jump on you and he jumps on everyone else?" I dont' tell him that when the dog jumped, I did the appropriate thing and taught the dog myself, several with just one jump. I just say, "I guess he doesn't like me." Funny, at the time, I'm usually bent over petting the tail wagging dog. Steve |
#4
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How to deal with a jumping dog
Suja wrote:
"Kathleen" wrote in message: That's good. If you kneed or shinned or otherwise physically disciplined my dogs without my prior consent, that would put your head in the proper position to receive the appropriate correction - a boot to the cranium. I will admit that I have physically corrected someone else's dog. Said dog (young standard poodle) jumped up and bit my hand, breaking skin and getting my wrist bone. I grabbed him, sat him down, and had a heart to heart with him. Then I walked over to the owner and told him that he needs to get control of his dog; I wasn't going to make a huge deal out of it, but someone else might. The dog continues to jump and nip. The only "improvement" I can see is that the owner tries to call the dog off when he heads in my direction, which he blows off completely. A deliberate bite that actually breaks the skin is in an entirely different category than jumping up on somebody, even if they do happen to be wearing $100 slacks. The worst deliberate bite I ever witnessed was a golden, an intact male with serious aggression issues, who attacked his handler during class and bit her hand so hard that his fangs went entirely through her palm and emerged through the back of her hand. He was euthanized. The worst non-deliberate bite I've ever seen happened at a flyball tournament. A terv returning to his handler in the runback area leaped for his tug and caught the handler's wrist instead, tearing open a flap of skin and muscle that fell forward and covered his hand to the fingertips. The dog realized instantly what he'd done and crashed to the ground, groveling. There was no correction. As the handler said, "He didn't bite me, I cut my hand on his mouth". |
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How to deal with a jumping dog
HOWEDY SteveB, You wouldn't happen to be Steve Boyer, the ONLY pathetic miserable stinkin rotten animal murderin mental case PROFESSIONAL dog trainer here who AIN'T been bagged for LYIN, would you? No, that be someone else. |
#6
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How to deal with a jumping dog
"SteveB" toquerville@zionvistas wrote in message ... I've broken many a dog from jumping up on me. The owner asks me, "How come he doesn't jump on you and he jumps on everyone else?" I dont' tell him that when the dog jumped, I did the appropriate thing and taught the dog myself, several with just one jump. I just say, "I guess he doesn't like me." Funny, at the time, I'm usually bent over petting the tail wagging dog. I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but I think you are saying that you can break the dog of this behavior by just ignoring it, and rewarding a less physical sort of greeting. I read parts of your blog at http://cateaters.blogspot.com:80/, and some of what you have to say is interesting. I've had quite an adventure with my dog Muttley, rescuing him from euthanasia on three occasions, and learning a lot about the strong bond that can form between man and "beast". I see that your blog is titled "cateaters", and I'm fairly sure that Muttley might have at least tried to eat my cat if he ever caught her, although I was making some progress in socializing them until she sadly was hit by a car and killed on the road in front of my house a couple years ago. Instead of a blog, I put a story of the saga of me and Muttley on my website: www.smart.net/~pstech/Muttley/MuttleyStory.htm. You can also see many pictures of him in the Muttley directory. He is still quite a handful, and sometimes hard to control, but he is a sweet fellow and I have been able to train him enough to have decent manners with people and other dogs. He used to jump up on me and other people, but he has calmed down considerably. Yet he will still jump up on my friend who originally rescued him. I think this is because she encourages it and makes him excited. But eventually he settles down and will sit or lie down nicely while I enjoy a meal or do whatever else I may want to do. Sometimes he begs for a few morsels, or scratches my leg with a paw to let me know he needs to go out or to alert me of something, but he has become a wondeful pet and loyal companion. Don't let the PW (JH) get you riled up. He will not acknowledge any other method of training other than his own "methods", and they did not seem to work as expected on my dog, so now he accuses me of yanking and choking my dog on a prong collar to force him into obedience, while in reality he just likes to pull when he wants to move faster than I do. Good luck with the storms down there in FL. Do you have any photos of your Dal/Lab mix? Paul and Muttley |
#7
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How to deal with a jumping dog
In article ,
SteveB wrote: I break a dog by timing a knee to the chest or a shin to the chest at the moment he jumps up on me. Appropriate choice of verb! Usually, it just startles the dog, and causes him to bounce back a bit. At the same time, I say a sharp "NO". I will admit that at times, I have thrown a dog right over on a 3/4 flip with them landing on their backs. You seem like a highly skilled dog trainer, too! Sorry I was ambiguous about it, but I know some do not agree with this technique. To those people, all I can say is that Skippy ain't about to paw my $100 slacks, thank you very much. Awesome priorities! -- Melinda Shore - Software longa, hardware brevis - Prouder than ever to be a member of the reality-based community |
#8
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How to deal with a jumping dog
"Paul E. Schoen" wrote in message ... "SteveB" toquerville@zionvistas wrote in message ... I've broken many a dog from jumping up on me. The owner asks me, "How come he doesn't jump on you and he jumps on everyone else?" I dont' tell him that when the dog jumped, I did the appropriate thing and taught the dog myself, several with just one jump. I just say, "I guess he doesn't like me." Funny, at the time, I'm usually bent over petting the tail wagging dog. I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but I think you are saying that you can break the dog of this behavior by just ignoring it, and rewarding a less physical sort of greeting. I read parts of your blog at http://cateaters.blogspot.com:80/, and some of what you have to say is interesting. I've had quite an adventure with my dog Muttley, rescuing him from euthanasia on three occasions, and learning a lot about the strong bond that can form between man and "beast". I see that your blog is titled "cateaters", and I'm fairly sure that Muttley might have at least tried to eat my cat if he ever caught her, although I was making some progress in socializing them until she sadly was hit by a car and killed on the road in front of my house a couple years ago. Instead of a blog, I put a story of the saga of me and Muttley on my website: www.smart.net/~pstech/Muttley/MuttleyStory.htm. You can also see many pictures of him in the Muttley directory. He is still quite a handful, and sometimes hard to control, but he is a sweet fellow and I have been able to train him enough to have decent manners with people and other dogs. He used to jump up on me and other people, but he has calmed down considerably. Yet he will still jump up on my friend who originally rescued him. I think this is because she encourages it and makes him excited. But eventually he settles down and will sit or lie down nicely while I enjoy a meal or do whatever else I may want to do. Sometimes he begs for a few morsels, or scratches my leg with a paw to let me know he needs to go out or to alert me of something, but he has become a wondeful pet and loyal companion. Don't let the PW (JH) get you riled up. He will not acknowledge any other method of training other than his own "methods", and they did not seem to work as expected on my dog, so now he accuses me of yanking and choking my dog on a prong collar to force him into obedience, while in reality he just likes to pull when he wants to move faster than I do. Good luck with the storms down there in FL. Do you have any photos of your Dal/Lab mix? Paul and Muttley I break a dog by timing a knee to the chest or a shin to the chest at the moment he jumps up on me. Usually, it just startles the dog, and causes him to bounce back a bit. At the same time, I say a sharp "NO". I will admit that at times, I have thrown a dog right over on a 3/4 flip with them landing on their backs. These are the dogs that it usually only takes once to break. I immediately bend at the knees and squat down and praise and pet the dog, teaching them that I will bend down to pet them, and they don't have to jump up to get petted. After that, when I see them, I greet them that way, and they will stay down until you pet them. Most dogs go away after that, the doggie equivalent of scratch and sniff greeting. Sorry I was ambiguous about it, but I know some do not agree with this technique. To those people, all I can say is that Skippy ain't about to paw my $100 slacks, thank you very much. I have a pound rescue Rott/Lab that is the biggest pussycat in the world. She must have been a guard dog or guide dog in another life because she is totally trained, and won't even eat unless given permission. I believe she could and would do some damage if danger actually occurred. We've lessened her rigidity, but she still sticks to her training at times. She has never once jumped up on me. Now, if I could only break her of the doggy handshake ........... (nose to crotch and then the swift lifting of the nose). My corgi is as hardheaded as any corgi, but he doesn't jump up either. Steve |
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How to deal with a jumping dog
"SteveB" toquerville@zionvistas wrote :
I break a dog by timing a knee to the chest or a shin to the chest at the moment he jumps up on me. Do that to my dog and you might be looking for your genitals in a high asynchronous orbit. (FWIW, you won't find 'em.) For that matter, take it upon yourself to correct my dog without my prior approval, and it's highly likely that you won't live long enough to regret it. My dogs are gentle, sweet, harmless critters. I am not. Sorry I was ambiguous about it, but I know some do not agree with this technique. To those people, all I can say is that Skippy ain't about to paw my $100 slacks, thank you very much. Cluelessly helpful folk like you are why I've learned to be a mite protective of my dogs' welfare. -- Mary H. and the restored Ames National Zoo: The Right Reverand Sir Edgar "Lucky" Pan-Waffles; U-CD ANZ Babylon Ranger, CD, RA; ANZ Pas de Duke; and rotund Rhia |
#10
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How to deal with a jumping dog
SteveB wrote:
I break a dog by timing a knee to the chest or a shin to the chest at the moment he jumps up on me. Eeesh. How.... 1950s. Dianne |
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