ACK!!! I think my dog is on speed!

Mayasmydobe

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#1
Maya is SOOOOOOO hyper today! I have her out in the living room tethered on her leash and she will run back and forth as fast as she can! Plus she keeps jumping up on me. I tell her "off" in a firm voice and push her off but she just keeps jumping and jumping! Is there a better way to help her learn that jumping is not allowed?
 

Spiritus

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#2
Repetition, repetition, repetition. Keep telling her OFF, but also, as soon as the feet hit the floor, tell her GOOD GIRL! Sometimes we are so focused on the behavior we don't want, we forget to tell the dog when they actually do what we want.

Yes, a GOOD GIRL will ge her jumping again, but just repeat. OFF, GOOD GIRL, OFF, GOOD GIRL. She'll get it.

Sounds like she does need to get outside and run the zoomies off though.... :D
 

Doberluv

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#3
How much exercise is she getting? How frequently do you work on a few obedience skills? Dobermans need a lot of physical and mentle exercise. Brain work uses a lot of energy and helps tire a dog very well along with plenty of outdoor romping and fetching type play and a little walk. If they don't get enough stimulation, they behave the way you describe. They're highly intelligent dogs and need a job. So throughout the day, frequently, work on a couple of sits, downs, come, stay etc.

When you push her when she jumps, she can take that to mean that you're playing with her. She doesn't know the English word, "off" yet, so when she's jumping up and you say "off," that can be associated with the jumping and not the off, as you intend. So when you say, "off," she'll learn that means to jump. When you say, "off" to her, you're attending to her. You're speaking to her. That is often construed by some dogs as attention and a payoff for jumping. Unless you're very harsh, it is not apt to stop the behavior. And you don't want to be harsh to a pup. Soon they get habituated to it and it has no effect.... or a really sensative dog can just shut down and be crushed.

The best way to teach your pup to not jump is to completely ignore her, turn the other way, let her jump, brace yourself but ignore her ABSOLUTELY. That means no eye contact, no vocalizations, no facing toward her, no touching her. Turn away and look heavenward. LOL. She will wonder why you're not reacting to her, why her jumping up isn't working.... and will plop herself into a sit most likely, because they just do that often when they're thinking about what to try next. At that very instant that she sits, squat down to her level, turn sideways and sort of hug her to you, so she doesn't have to jump and pat her and give her a little treat from your pocket. Give her the attention she wants only when she sits nicely or stands on all fours, your preference. Otherwise ignore her. Don't squat down or hug her to you every time, just a little to get her started on the idea that she'll get attention if she stays on all fours or sits. (whatever you want to teach her) Vary your position, vary the location. Don't always be the one to react to her.

You can use the word, "off" if you want but only use it at first when she actually gets off. The problem with saying "off" is....do you think you should have to tell her off? Or would you rather have her learn that she should never jump up on someone? That not jumping is then the default behavior. If that is what you want, to not have to tell her off, do as I described.

You can also, if you see it coming ahead of time, that she's thinking about jumping up, intercept (do not wait for her to jump) and ask for a sit. That can help jump start her training. (pardon the pun) Once she gets onto sitting for attention, most of the time, if you just stand there when you think she'd like some attention, even if she's not jumping......and just wait for a couple seconds, (don't say, "sit") she'll sit, once she starts getting into the swing of things. In other words, you'll be able to fade out the cue, "sit." As soon as she sits, within 3 seconds, give her what she wants and then some.
 
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Spiritus

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#4
Doberluv, I love your advice on this. I looked at it from my somewhat weird perspective...

I like dogs that jump up. Dogs LOVE to jump up to get closer to your face, and I have a few that actually hug :) LOVE IT!

Because, in my world, dogs jumping up is acceptable, as long as they do learn a solid "off", this is how I teach my dogs. I will invite a dog to jump on me, love them for a minute, say OFF and gently shove him off, then as soon as all four feet hit the ground I tell him WHAT A GOOD BOY! and we continue the game. The result is that I have dogs that I can say OFF to when I see they are about to jump up, and they will respect that off command. Heck, in the competitive obedience ring, my dog's reward for doing great work between exercises is to jump up - very briefly, then a quick "off" command coupled with a settle/sit command gets them back in the program, ready to work some more.

This is something that works for me, and works well, and *hugging* my dogs when they jump up is something I love. I do accept and understand that to some people jumping is not acceptable, so my dogs are given the off command (and listen to it well) when meeting enthusiastic new people.
 

Doberluv

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#5
I know a few people like you, Spiritus and I love how they can invite their dogs to jump up, love them up like that and then their dogs get off. It IS indeed how dogs often greet eachother happily and that's all fine when it's something an owner likes and it's a nice reinforcer for the dog for a job well done. I might even teach a lighter weight dog to "up" on cue only. The trainer I worked with had Aussies and one of hers would leap up into her opened arms for a hug when she motioned to him to do it.

I don't mind when my Chihuahuas put their little front feet up on my shins. They're weightless practically. I still have to bend over to pet them though. However, with my Doberman who is about 85 LBS (he use to weigh more) and about 29-30 inches at the withers.... it would be very uncomfortable to me and could knock me down and can you imagine if he was feeling friendly to my mother who is 84 years old and about 100 LBS? LOL. And I'm no spring chicken anymore. I personally wouldn't like that big of a dog jumping up on me at all so I just discouraged it from the get go. Their nails could get me. They're sometimes muddy and I don't like my clothes getting muddy prints on them. It wouldn't be for me. But it is personal preference. If someone elses dog jumps up on me, being friendly, I see it like they havn't been taught their manners and I don't like it at all, especially if I have good clothes on. But they didn't put that on a cue, they just let them jump whenever....

Anyhow, the reason I wrote out my way of teaching the dog to stay off was because the OP was specifically asking if there was a way to teach her dog to stop jumping up. I would still recommend that for teaching the default to not jump. And then later, down the road if she wants to teach the dog to jump up on cue, that could be done too as long as she differentiates between jumping with a cue and not jumping otherwise.

Just my .02.
 

Spiritus

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#6
My biggest Belgian boy is 25" and 65 lbs, still a lightweight compared to your Dobie. I briefly forgot that Dobies can be very good at "talking with their hands". A friend has a big boy like yours, and he's all legs. When he hits you with his paw, you KNOW you've been smacked.

My 65 lb boy can come running at me through the yard at full tilt, launch himself in the air to "hit" me, but if I yell OFF, he will contort his body in the most strangest positions in mid-air to ensure he doesn't touch me. Good boy. LOL.
 

Doberluv

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#8
No kidding Spiritus! Dobes are known for being extremely paw oriented. He is slap happy as it is and has huge paws. He's got big bones and a lot of muscle and no loose skin or fur for padding. LOL. When he shakes hands, he really puts the oomph behind it. When he was a pup, this is what caused me the most concern around my Chihuahuas....his paws! Teaching him "gentle" was like skipping several grades in school, but it had to be taught and asap because trying to supervise him to that degree with those two was really a chore. He still does everything with his paws. If he had opposable thumbs, he'd be able to help me move furniture when I vacuum. He hugs too, but we do that from a sit and the person kneels in front of him.

Your boy sounds like a good sport to change course in mid-leap. LOL.
 

otch1

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#9
I really liked these posts! Especially since you own a Dobie Maya. I agree, paws should stay on the ground at all times and "up" should be taught when the pup's mature enough to wait for command verses reacting out of excitedness. This takes self control and again, maturity. I worked very hard to teach Kohl, my dobie pup, to keep his paws on the ground when greeting everyone. We had our first show in Jan. and his breeder loves to have the dogs greet her, adults and pups, paws on shoulders licking her face. I cringed at this, but she was handling him in the ring several of those days, had him under control at all times and Kohl absolutely loved her. So, I was a whimp about correcting her. We did have some work to do when we got home though, as he then started jumping clients that came to my door, first week home from show. Doberluv, Kohl's now 64 lbs, just having turned 6 mos. of age Jan 18th!! Maya, tethering pups to furniture will make them even more anxious. Best to get her "zoomies" out as they say, by untethering, redirecting her energy and making her use her brain. Getting a ball and treats out and introducing retrieving is a great way to settle a rowdy Dobie pup down. When she comes at you jumping and out of control, ball's picked up treats pocketed, all activity stops. Gently place her in a sit before throwng ball and bringing out food reward. She'll get it if you're consistent about your timing. Attention and activity stops when paws come off the ground, play resumes when she's respectful of your space. Ya know... I believe I just repeated Doberluvs' post!!! Lol.
 

ACooper

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#10
Doberluv has the "off" thing covered, so I will tell you about some fun things to keep her mind occupied & spend quality time with you.
This game was mentioned to me not so long ago when Orson was starting to act up and needed more mental stimuli........ hide-n-seek. It may sound crazy, but Orson LOVES this game!!
I will get a treat that he really likes, my hubby will hold him in the living room. I will show him that I have the treat, then I go hide somewhere. My hubby will let him go and say "go find mom" Then the hunt is on. He prefers a visual hunt when possible, sniffer is last resort. When he finds me, he gets the treat and we can start again. If she likes it and gets pretty good, play in the dark to make it harder. (note that you may need to have someone help her with the first "hunt" or two so she can understand what you want)
Fair warning..........you will have fun too, and it is hard not to giggle when you can see them passing you by!!

I just hope if I ever get lost for real that I have a pocket full of treats or he may not care to find me!!
 

Doberluv

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I cringed at this, but she was handling him in the ring several of those days, had him under control at all times and Kohl absolutely loved her. So, I was a whimp about correcting her. We did have some work to do when we got home though, as he then started jumping clients that came to my door, first week home from show.
Yes, that would be hard to "correct" the person who is working with him. LOL. I am laughing because I can just see you when you got home. Yes, Dobes are not (IMO) good candidates for too much wildness in their play. They can really forget themselves sometimes because they're such natural goof balls. Give 'em an inch and they'll knock you down. Or leap up in their excitement and chomp off your arm. (had that done once when we got too crazy) So, I keep it down to a dull roar. LOL. Even with play with other dogs, it looks sometimes like Lyric could, at any second go from play to prey. I don't like it when he gets on that border line. Then it's time to change the subject and I tell him, "Lyric....you look like such a dignified gentleman. It's time you tone it down and act like one." LOL.

Doberluv, Kohl's now 64 lbs, just having turned 6 mos. of age Jan 18th!!
I can't believe it!!!! 64LBS already and 6 months already? Holy cow! Time flies. I wish you could post some pictures.

You know....it's hard to think back to when Lyric was a baby now that he's 3.5 yrs old. It just doesn't seem like it's been that long. But I do remember not having much trouble from him with jumping or biting on me. It seems like within a couple of weeks, he wasn't doing that so much. He was doing other catastrophic things, just not biting and jumping. (or maybe I'm forgetting or just blocked it out of my mind.) LOL. I did give him a lot of exercise though, probably more than is advisable for his bones, but I had to or he'd destroy my house. Anyhow, his bones are fine.

Ya know... I believe I just repeated Doberluvs' post!!! Lol
No you didn't. You added some great points that I didn't think of.

Anyhow, Dobes are a wonderful breed, but not easy puppies. Can't wait for more pictures Maya. She's adorable. You too Otch. If you need help with posting them, let me know.
 

Doberluv

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#12
I just hope if I ever get lost for real, I have a pocket full of treats or he may not care to find me!!
OMG!!! I am laughing sooooo hard at that. Too funny. That is a great game! I play it when I'm on my hikes and Lyric is up ahead. I'll duck behind some tree and just be silent. He doesn't like to be too far from me and always looks back or comes back to see if I'm coming along, usually no further than a couple hundred feet. Anyhow, he'll look back and see that I'm not there and he races back and often runs right past me. I'm covering my mouth so I don't giggle. I watch. He looks around and then he sees me or sniffs me. Then he's uproarious. It's like he gets the humor of it. If he stands there too long looking bewildered, I don't make him wait and will make a noise because it's not nice. He looks sort of pathetic if he can't find me fast. But yes, hide and seek is fun. Great idea Cooper!
 

Mayasmydobe

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#13
lol... my name is Jennifer.... Maya is my pup.

lol I should get some pictures. I got her a little sweater becuase she gets really cold outside. It's cute!
 

ACooper

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#14
Yes, Orson is 9 months, and he still shivers inside the house if there's a draft!! He reminds me of an oversized chiuahua..<sp?>
 

Doberluv

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lol... my name is Jennifer.... Maya is my pup.

lol I should get some pictures. I got her a little sweater becuase she gets really cold outside. It's cute!
Well, I figured Maya is your pup, but with some of the "call names" of members here, the name if often one in the same. A little confusing. LOL. My real name isn't Doberluv. ROFLOL. It's Carrie.

I can relate to the shivery Dobe syndrome. I have a plaid, wool blanket to cover Lyric with at night. Yes, all of my dogs have short hair and live in a cold climate in winter. Not the best dogs for this area. Oh well. I should have a big, furry, beautiful husky living here. But I couldn't stand the part about having to have them on a leash all the time or having to vacuum 3 times a day. LOL. As it is, I vacuum almost every day.
 

ACooper

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Me too, (both short hair, and vacuum city, cold climate part year)...........and Orson sleeps on our bed at night and HAS to be covered with his blankie or he still shivers..........DOGS, can't live with em' and surely can't live without em' hehehe
 

otch1

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Doberluv, I'll get the pictures (proofs) back soon, from the proffessional photographer at the show. He had some taken after reserve win. I didn't take any myself and yes, will need help again when trying to post them. Lol! I have had 3 different people help with just the few pics so far. It's sad, how difficult computers seem to be for me!
 

Doberluv

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Don't feel badly Otch. I have a terrible time with computers and I too needed loads of coaching in the beginning. I'll go through it with you how I do it. I don't do the photobucket thing, but that way might be easier. I just do it from the gallery here. Anyway, let me know when you get to that point.
 

Mayasmydobe

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Okay... so I have tried your advice about when she jumps up to just turn my head away from her and ignore her untill she has all four feet on the ground, then praising her. We have a problem, and it's gonna get HUGE! She doesnt give up and get back on the floor, she will crawl up on my lap! Now a 10 week old pup isnt such a big deal but when she gets bigger I wont be able to have her on my lap!

What should I do?!?!
 
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#20
Doberluv, I love your advice on this. I looked at it from my somewhat weird perspective...

I like dogs that jump up. Dogs LOVE to jump up to get closer to your face, and I have a few that actually hug :) LOVE IT!
I'm the same way, Spirit :)

Of course, not everyone is really ready for Fila hugs, lol! But there is nothing sweeter than when they lay that big head next to yours with their paws on your shoulders and give you a big hug. :)
 

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