I've been reading some great advice on here. I'm going to try hard for the positive reinforcement because, yes, 'no' is too generic and has lost it's power. But to initially teach my (then 8 week now 12 week) golden retriever pup how to walk on a leash and leave the yard I bribed him with treats and 'goodboys'. Now, we will get part way through the walk and he will turn and start jumping and biting at my clothes and it is close to impossible to get him to stop....you just have to wait it out. It is embarrassing and frustrating, it also really hurts because he'll bite my hand or something and tear my skin. I really need to make him stop this. Any ideas to help would be marvy!
jump+bite=ripped clothes+frustration
- Thread starter Mr. Griff
- Start date
Been there 
The only thing that worked with mine is to ignore him. I just turned my back to him and walked away. He understood pretty fast that he wasn't going to get my attention this way. My husband tried 'no', 'off', and other methods (like pinning the dog down with hands closing his mouth), no matter how many times I told him he wasn't fixing anything. Indeed, it never worked, and still today at 19 months he still occasionally rips a shirt.
Bottom line, yep, it hurts to ignore him totally when he does it... but it's much better in the long run.
The only thing that worked with mine is to ignore him. I just turned my back to him and walked away. He understood pretty fast that he wasn't going to get my attention this way. My husband tried 'no', 'off', and other methods (like pinning the dog down with hands closing his mouth), no matter how many times I told him he wasn't fixing anything. Indeed, it never worked, and still today at 19 months he still occasionally rips a shirt.
Bottom line, yep, it hurts to ignore him totally when he does it... but it's much better in the long run.
Ignoring is really the best way to go as any kind of response (negative too) is encouragement.
I found for my dogs jumping up the only way to get them to stop was to not give them any attention or food or anything they wanted unless they sat first. So they would run over and sit and stare at me if they wanted love or whatever.
I found for my dogs jumping up the only way to get them to stop was to not give them any attention or food or anything they wanted unless they sat first. So they would run over and sit and stare at me if they wanted love or whatever.
When my dogs get over excited I do the "ssshhhT" thing. They stop. Look at me, and they get a reward.
I know it sounds lame, and I did get it from Cesar Milan but it's really seemed to help with my guys.
Although, ignoring seems to have great results. If ignoring doesn't work, or if your having a particularly embarassing walk, LOL, try the "ssshhhhT" not "shuuush" though. Do it in a matter of fact way, once. Don't make a big deal. "sshhht" and if they stop reward.
I know it sounds lame, and I did get it from Cesar Milan but it's really seemed to help with my guys.
Although, ignoring seems to have great results. If ignoring doesn't work, or if your having a particularly embarassing walk, LOL, try the "ssshhhhT" not "shuuush" though. Do it in a matter of fact way, once. Don't make a big deal. "sshhht" and if they stop reward.
The only bad thing about ignoring is when your dog is 19 months old like Fran's and still jumps- ignoring it when it's jumping on you can get you torn up by it's claws. Something you can use on an older/bigger dog is to stand on the leash so it physically can't jump. A few tries and they give up. You don't have to say anything, just stand on the leash.
R
If this were my puppy, and he started this behavior, I would tighten up the leash and put gentle but firm pressure on it, straight up, until the puppy decided to pay attention to what was happening around his neck instead of pitching his fit.
Using food as a REWARD, or as a LURE in training puppies of this age is not a bad thing, however, at this point I would not ignore the bratty behavior.
The second he decided to stop his tantrum, I would drop slack in the leash, food reward him, and continue the walk.
It's time to be in puppy class.
Using food as a REWARD, or as a LURE in training puppies of this age is not a bad thing, however, at this point I would not ignore the bratty behavior.
The second he decided to stop his tantrum, I would drop slack in the leash, food reward him, and continue the walk.
It's time to be in puppy class.