How do we deal with ...

[Tillyboo]

Our 18wk old puppy launching himself at our trays if we eat in the lounge ?
I know that some people may say 'Don't eat off a tray' but we are trying to teach him it's not acceptable to jump up and try and steal food from the sofa or chair (or table come to that). Our dd has snacks etc. whilst watching tele and it's becoming a bit of an issue.
He literally throws himself on us and sometimes takes a run up [it's not funny really). Just the other day I sat down to eat my bowl of Irish Stew and he literally jumped on me. The bowl of stew went everywhere. My pup was desperately trying to lap up the spill off the carpet and it must have been boiling hot. He spent the day with lumps of carrot dried to his back. I screamed because it actually burnt my hand !
We have the same issue with him coming up the stairs. If I go upstairs he cries like a baby and creeps up after me.
Agh ...... bless him he's lovely and a very springy Springer Spaniel but his jumping up and desperation to steal off a plate is quite an issue. I'll be asking my puppy class instructor for advice at the weekend but just wondered if anyone on MN had any nuggets of advice.

Any suggestions how best to deal with these two problems ?

can you shut him in the kitchen, send him to his bed, while you eat?
or just be firm. NO. down.

We do the 'Off' command but he just laughs until my dh puts on his really angry voice and physically puts him on his bed. But it takes about 5 attempts for him to realise we are being serious.

I won't shut him in his crate as he'll see his crate as a punishment room.

I know he is still very young and just being like a naughty child really.

I'm sure we'll get there in the end as he's a bright little button.

eaisest way is to put his lead on, "Name, Down. Stay" and push between their shoulderblades to make it happen then put the lead under your foot (no jumping then!) Then just place him down every time he wriggles to get up

I bet your trainer says to exclude him while you eat. I'm not sure if its worse for a pup to be crated or to watch you eat. If you put him in,eat then give him something nice as soon as you let him out that might be better for him.

Please don't ever force a puppy to sit or lie down by pushing on their delicate joints. It can cause permanent damage.

My lab did exactly the same thing despite all my best efforts until she jumped up and put her foot in a bowl of really, really hot soup. It went everywhere, she was screaming with pain and I was so frightened for her. She never, ever did it again.

The right thing to have done was to have continued with the big, scary voice 'no', to have set her up with something to do while we ate (stuffed kong or similar) or to have kept her in another room (wouldn't have worked in my house though). To settle her down with the kong, and every time she tried to jump up use the big scary voice, set her up with the kong again and start over. Then to repeat as many times as necessary.

Very, very tiring and frustrating but necessary to ensure a well behaved dog that doesn't have a burnt front leg .

I think you just need to be firm with him, my dog (1 year old) can still be sneaky and will try and grab food. I firmly shout 'NO' and if she does snatch anything she gets shut outside or sent to her bed. Always feed your dog after you have eaten so if he's good while you eat he gets a reward.

Our 8 month old lab knows he is not allowed to jump up but his tongue is so long it is often to be seen silently snaking up onto the table while we are eating

Seriously, though, I would do the house lead tucked under your foot.

HTH

our 3 year old lab was kept in the same room and given an apple to eat as we had our dinner and we were just very firm. Lots of dribbling etc later, he now knows that if he is good, lies down and ignores us, he may get a little left over afterwards....but if he sits up, watches us intently or dribbles, he doesn't get anything.

Consistent and persistent is the way to go. If he is good, lots of praise and a treat and nothing if he isn't.

(he sounds adorable...your description did make me )

I personally think its its a recipe for disaster to eat in front of your puppy, why not give a special puppy dental chew to take his mind off what you are doing. I do agree they need to learn not to jump up and take food especially with children but 18 week old bouncy springers might need a little more incentive I know, i have a springer cross and even at 4 she tries to steal food but does it sneakily

Also puting him in his crate with a chew before and during your meal times would not be cruel at all. Mine are adult dogs and still go in their crates at mealtimes. They do it by themselves now quite happily.

if you really didn't want to put him in his crate, you could try a water pistol. It does't hurt them but shock them onto backing away. You just have to get your timing absolutley spot on for it to be effective. It s amazing how quickly he will learn, you squirt him in the face and say NO firmly. he will soon be leaving your food alone.

Thanks all for the suggestions, I like the water pistol idea but somehow think he'll think it's a game. The lead too is a good suggestion. I will try them though.
We've tried him with kongs and he's not especially interested, even with the puppy paste and biscuits stuffed inside.

He does respond to a man's deep voice but it's hilarious listening to me tryin gto put on a mans deep forceful voice - even The dog laughed at me !

Hey, ho, we'll persevere

He shouldn't think it a game if you are consitent and use afirm NO at the same time. My dog who LOVES water (we can't even go past a puddle without him diving into it) knew that the water pistol was not a game and soon learn't that i was boss.

Personally i couldnt stand this. I would lock him in another room and make sure he wasnt being fed left overs , or worse , titbits from your plate.
I would be concerned that this could be the start of dominant behaviour , certainly if he lived with a pack of dogs and snatched their food , there would be a fight. Unless he was top dog.