Is your dog jumping on your visitors?
You tried everything?
Nothing worked?
I heard so many excuses to why a client's dog jumps on people and how he does not do it all the time...really? I've heard about year long training sessions, dog walkers hired to train a dog (cheap) and where the owner finally gives up and just puts the dog in a crate or in the laundry room while guests arrive....it should not be like that! Here are some hints to help your dog be a good dog.
Know the Difference in Behaviors:
Friendly: (wagging tail, open mouth, exited, spinning, barking shaking head) I have to jump on you first to greet you!
Unfriendly: (tail high, mouth closed, ears back, standing tall on frond legs, hackles, stiff walk) I jump on you so you know it's me who runs the place...so pay attention/respect and I'm ok with you entering.
What to do?
Offer a holistic experience: Jumping on people to get attention is self rewarding. To keep the dog from jumping we have to treat the excitement behind this action. So reinforcing the dog to do an alternative behavior to get the rewarding attention he seeks is not always right if this action is driven by excitement. We also need to allow the dog to have his own experience of why the Holistic solution is better that the "lured one." We want to praise (using conditioned- and unconditioned-reinforcers) the dog for being calm, aware and in any situation we see the dog relaxed. Once dog understands the concept: "calm is better than excited" we can start exercising a sit and stay cue near the door and move slowly closer to the door. Once we have a strong sit stay near the door we can start working on desensitization of the "visitor related" noises (steps, knock door, bell ringing, guest entering.)
Management and success: It's important to be aware that the dog will be confused between the old habit and new job. As much he wants to do it right, reflex will take over in the beginning. Therefore we want to create a safe connection (leash, collar) between dog and the handler. Controlling the door environment is what we want to focus on. Strong recall, strong cues, strong connection.
Teaching The Alternative
Before you correct a behavior teach the dog a alternative option.
Lets start from scratch.
Creat a new routine by teaching your dog what to do upon the arrival, during the greeting and after the greeting.
lets break the job description down into the individual elements.
When you want to meet the person, come up and sit in safe distance and wait to be invited to greet. Expect to be rewarded and exchange information. After three seconds stop greeting and return to previous safe place.
Let’s start teaching the dog the job
Teach the sit for pupies and dogs
Get on your puppy’s level, either on the floor or in a chair next to him.
Hold a treat close to his nose and let it smell what your puppy needs to work for.
Wait patiently without encouraging until the puppy sits do not let the puppy get the treat unless the puppy sits.
You can turn your head to left or right when the puppy jumps on you. (do not turn your back.)
When his butt hits the floor, say “SIT” and Quick place the treat to his mouth. (if you use a clicker make sure the dog is conditioned to the clicker)
Repeat multiple times every day.
Teach the dog to come
Clip a light 30 ft line to your dog’s collar and let him drag it around while your leash loop in in your hand. . Start this task in a very calm comfortable environment.
Let the dog know that you have a “medium” value material reward that your dog desires.
After he is accustomed to the line, pick up the end and hold it.
Clamp a treat between your ring finger and middle finger and have your palm visible towards your dog.
Start walking backwards holding the leash lose , and showing the treats.
As your dog starts following you keep the treat visible and use the word “come”.
With your cue word -“Come” - and marker word in mind—“yes”—and a few treats, walk backward, encouraging him to follow along. When he twirls around and comes toward you, say “COME” and when he arrives and makes contact with your palm, trying to take the treat, say “Yes!” and release the reward. Ad emotional happiness.
Begin to pair the behavior with inviting emotions. encourage him with “come” as he intents to make contact , praise and reward him. Make the come cue remind of a fun game that your puppy wants to play.
Teach the dog to pay attention
The Right Consequence:
All the dog wants is learning through social interactions .....the best consequence of misbehaving in this scenario is removing attention. Your dog needs to know that you don’t like that. When teaching your dog the greeting process, all involved should be aware and precise....No eye contact, no touch, No verbal reinforcer, No correction, make sure your dog is not surrounded by toys or food that the dog can reach to reward himself if he doesn't get what he wants at the door.
However some dogs may need a comfort toy to cop with their excitement. This could be a great reward. To ad a greeting exchange to your dog’s greeting ritual
Consistency: Repetition is the best way to imprint the dogs new job description and override dogs old reflex. Take time to wait for your dog to relax before you do the next step....consistency is the best way to help your dog to succeed.
Still not sure what to do? Do you need some help?
Contact me and set up an appointment....Its never to late to help your dog succeed!