Best Antidote to a Jumping Dog?

[vandynole]

My dog is a little over 1 year old. He's a Basset mix, so he's pretty low to the ground.

Over the past few weeks, he's developed an obnoxious habit. When he gets really excited, especially when I'm getting dressed for work, he'll repeatedly jump up and sometimes nip at my clothing. He's actually torn small holes in a couple of shirts, so I'm pretty peeved. He doesn't go as far as mounting me, but I wouldn't be surprised if that were next.

I assume this is some combination of him being dominant and trying to get my attention. I've read that the best way to stop a dog from jumping is to ignore him until all four paws are on the ground. I can't do that, though, because of the nipping (and torn clothing). So I think swift correction seems the better route.

So imagine you're me--you're getting dressed in the morning and your dog starts to get excited. He jumps up behind you and starts nipping at your back. Since you're getting dressed, you can't really hold his leash during this episode. What do you do--promptly turn around, grab him by the collar and put him a sit/down?

I'd love some advice. I can always just gate him in the kitchen during my morning routine, but would rather correct the problem directly.

 

[Herschel]

Why not crate him until you are done getting ready?

 

[little liz]

My thoughts on this

Well I am a total beginner at this dog training thing but my thoughts on this are....at a time when you are not actually getting ready for work... when your dog is reasonably calm and attentive and you have the time and patience, to get the dog to sit and stay. Praise him for doing so while you very slowly pick up a shirt or some other item of clothing. If he moves, ( be very calm and still) and tell him to lie down. I would suggest that you don't move quickly to excite him and keep affirming that he is good whilst he is still. If your dog is really hyper I guess you could put him on a lead secured to something, to start with, just to make sure. Don't try to fully get dressed near him on the first try. Just keep doing little by little each time, and only as much as your dog can manage. I guess until you are getting some kind of regular success with out any jumping and nipping you will have to gate him in the kitchen while getting ready for work because it sounds like he is enjoying this game far too much. He needs to be enjoying being good for you and waiting till you're dressed in anticipation of a fuss or a treat afterwards. At the end of each session you will need to give your dog lots of praise and maybe a treat for being good.

hey its always easy for other folk to come up with ideas LOL and not always so easy to do them. Hope this helps a bit....other wise you'll just have to wait for someone with expertise to tell you the proper way to handle this.

 

[Julie]

I would say either avoid the situation like Hershel said...
You could also shut him outside your bedroom door, or get dressed in the bathroom with the door shut.

OR

You could try feeding him in the same room at the same time you are dressing... That way he would get used to you dressing, but also be more interested in something else. A positive distraction. Or try a peanut butter filled kong for him to chew on while you are dressing.

 

[bumhouse]

Yeah, I have to crate Colt (7 months old) while I get ready. It's just best for everybody that way. It fits in with my schedule as I get up and get the kids off to school before I take care of myself. After all that activity, Colt is usually ready for a nap anyway so it works for us.

 

[Doberluv]

By grabbing his collar and scolding him, you may cause your dog to become defensive and he may bite you some day. You are setting him up to fail by trying to do something which he is clearly not ready for. Training is best accomplished with baby steps, never going beyond the point where he can be successful. Manipulate his environment in such a way as to increase the probability of his being successful. The more reinforcments he gets for correct behavior, the faster he'll learn what behavior gets him what he wants. He wants to play and get your attention. So, think what he is able to do which will earn him that. Tether him to the door knob (only with you right there where you can supervise him) and put on your clothes. Give him a Kong stuffed with peanut butter. When he is not straining at the leash and acting calm, go to him, squat down to his level so he's not apt to jump and let him know you like that behavior. If he is straining at the leash, whining, jumping around, ignore him completely. (unless you think he's going to hang himself) Try putting on just one piece of clothing so it's only a few seconds that he has to control himself. If you can get to him and reinforce his good behavior before he "loosees it," that's one more repitition of a reinforcer for his behavior. The more chances he has at success, the sooner he'll learn what behavior it is which earns him what he LOVES. Make sure that your reinforcer IS something he wants and loves...your attention, praise and even a yummy treat. Gradually work up to putting on your whole outfit. But take it in baby steps.

Other times when he jumps up, the same thing, turn away and ignore him. Better yet, intercept him before he is going to jump up and give him an alternative behavior like "sit." Praise him then for sitting for the attention. If you catch him at his first intention of jumping instead of waiting for him to alread have jumped up, and give him an alternative he will learn faster which behavior gets him the good stuff. There is not need for aversives, scoldings, grabbing the collar or any of that. Harsh punishment has some detrimental side effects. Mild scoldings don't tend to change behavior.