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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Help me keep 4 paws on the floor

47 replies

InvisibleHotPinkWeasel · 25/09/2012 10:22

Right. Hully is now 5.5 months and fucking ginormous! And strong.

Her recall is coming on nicely, I whistle she comes back.
Walking to heel excellent - apart from tugging like a bastard to try and get to other dogs and people she likes the look of.

People are my problem. She likes people.

Obviously I need her off the lead to train and she walks well with the dogs but I need to get her trained not to jump at people asap - she knows OFF but still can't help herself.

To put it in perspective I am 5.2" another Lab puppy she socialises with is 3/4 weeks younger than her jumps at me and comes up to my tummy. Hully's just below my shoulders and strong. But she rarely if ever jumps up at me as it is NOT ALLOWED.

What top tips do we have to stop her hurling her self with enthusiasm at fellow dog walkers, or possible innocent members of the public? I really think we need to work on this quite intensively.

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 25/09/2012 10:27

Could you rope in some helpers to 'bump into' on your walk? If you can get them to ignore her totally until all four paws on the ground and then treat and fuss.

I was jumped on ny a GSD today. A very muddy GSD. I should be angry really but she was gorgeous and she played with my dog even though he was going nuts.

HelgatheHairy · 25/09/2012 10:33

I have the exact same problem with my 5 month old golden boy. We met a woman on our walk today with an umbrella, that was fun! I have him on the lead in public because his recall is non existent.

So no advice but I know how you feel!

HelgatheHairy · 25/09/2012 10:34

I have the exact same problem with my 5 month old golden boy. We met a woman on our walk today with an umbrella, that was fun! I have him on the lead in public because his recall is non existent.

So no advice but I know how you feel!

Original poster
InvisibleHotPinkWeasel · 25/09/2012 10:36

Dooin, I have a crack team of nice walkers who present her with their arse and tell her she's a good girl.

I'm just wary that she does not differentiate between old trousers and a dog walking coat, to nice lady cutting across common in her work clothes Grin

I am doing it and yelling LEAVE when she charges toward people or OFF when she jumps, but am I missing anything else?

Like your pup, it is obvious she's a pup, but she's huge, and she sights someone and then Whooooooosh!

OP posts:
Original poster
InvisibleHotPinkWeasel · 25/09/2012 10:37

I am so glad I am not alone Grin

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HelgatheHairy · 25/09/2012 12:23

Oh God, yes to the not knowing the difference between nice and not as nice clothes!!

I live next to a church. We have a tall plank of wood across the gateway to stop puppy getting out (proper gates coming this week, finally!!). Anyway Saturday 2 weeks ago I heard a slightly frantic knock on the door. Opened it to find a well dressed man - suit, white shirt etc, trying to fend off a very muddy excited puppy!! He more or less succeeded but not entirely. (he was looking for directions, he was at the wrong church, going to a wedding)

Was slightly embarrassing!

livismum · 25/09/2012 12:31

Watching this thread with interest my silly Dalmatian is 4 (yrs not months!) and still can't help herself, I blame the FIL and others who let her jump at them till she draws blood with her dew claws Angry she's just too friendly and excited to see people (just grown ups though never knocks kiddies over thank goodness!)

CakeExpectations · 25/09/2012 12:40

Another one watching, and waiting for somebody wise to come along with some magical advice to impart.

Cakedog is nearly 2, very large for his breed, and still can't contain himself when anyone comes to the house. Visitors, delivery drivers, salespeople - all get a special springer welcome.

When we're out, he usually only jumps up if he's particularly muddy and the person he wants to chat with (face to face) is in clean clothes. That's most days then. Grin

Original poster
InvisibleHotPinkWeasel · 25/09/2012 12:44

Aaaah lots of dogs with added bounce.

OP posts:
PurpleFrog · 25/09/2012 13:44

I feel your pain. Our lab is now 2 but still very bouncy. It took us most of last school year to stop him jumping up at the girl next door when she comes for dd in the morning, but he has got there....

We use "Leave It!" for dogs and people walking past, "Off!" if he is jumping up at someone, and "Stay Off!" as a reminder if we talking to someone and he looks like he is going to launch himself...

Original poster
InvisibleHotPinkWeasel · 25/09/2012 13:56

SNAP! with the commands that is Grin

I do get the odd Hmm face when people realise the IT! in question is them Grin

OP posts:
wiggofan · 25/09/2012 14:06

My almost 2 yr old lab was a jumper, so embarrassing when he used to cover complete strangers in mud. He hasn't jumped up at anyone for over a month, since he got a spectacular telling off from a jack russell for jumping up at its owner. The dog went for his throat and I was sure he must have been bitten but not a mark on him.
Since then he hasn't jumped up at anyone, even people without dogs, and he avoids eye contact with terriers Smile

PurpleFrog · 25/09/2012 14:46

Yes - maybe we should have gone with "Leave" instead of "Leave It", but the latter is a "sharper" command, if you know what I mean. When we go to Dog Training classes the Trainer's husband is often to be heard muttering "It? It? I am not an IT!" Our dog is worse with people he knows, but doesn't see all the time.

So where can we find a grumpy Jack Russell?

stowsettler · 25/09/2012 15:36

Grin Jack Russells rock! I love the way they're so completely fearless, despite being such tiny little pipsqueaks.

wiggofan · 25/09/2012 17:16

The Jack Russel wasn't grumpy at first, both dogs sniffed, tails wagging etc. Then my dog decided to jump up and make friends with the owner, cue for the JR lab trainer to spring into action.
If you can't find a suitably qualified JR perhaps you could arrange for someone the dog doesn't know to put on a show of going ballistic when dog jumps up?

RandallPinkFloyd · 25/09/2012 17:24

Marking my place for the ensuing words of wisdom.

My dog has pogo sticks for legs Blush

Blackpuddingbertha · 25/09/2012 22:15

I have a puppy who's perfectly calm around strangers unless she's muddy. I think she gets super excited when her feet are wet. Even better if she meets a runner as then she gets to trip them up as well as cover them with mud! I try distraction if I'm quick enough, if not then either recall her or 'leave it' or 'off' commands. None of which is a 100% reliable...

Original poster
InvisibleHotPinkWeasel · 25/09/2012 23:27

Bloody dogs. It's the hardest thing to teach the buggers, be nice to people - but not that nice.

And why the hell do they do it anyway?

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OhSoSimple · 26/09/2012 09:21

Loving this thread! My dads very large border terrier is nicknamed "kanga" - he has a range of jumps from a simple standing on rear legs to a full on kangaroo which is normally done with a run up and all four legs onto unsuspecting walker's back. I am mortified if he does this when I am walking him. I have found the only successful way of stopping him is to read the cues and do a rugby tackle/ sumo wrestle when he is in mid flight!

saffronwblue · 26/09/2012 09:31

Also waiting for the magic solution to this. Daisy ( lab/collie) at under 2 is still dreadful at over enthusiastic greeting and wants to fling herself into the arms of total strangers and family members alike.

saffronwblue · 26/09/2012 09:33

A woman shouted at me in the park after Daisy's muddy paws went all over her designer white jeans and jacket. It was an off lead dog park on a muddy day, so I didn't think she was dressed appropriately herself...

Goldmandra · 26/09/2012 10:43

I've got a Jack Russell who fits the bill perfectly.

He tells our puppy off for jumping up but she's learned that if he's not around she can still get away with it!

I've been looking for a new, part time job. Perhaps I could hire him out Wink

Elibean · 26/09/2012 11:39

I spent a few walks calling Mouse to heel/getting him to sit every time we passed someone bearing treats so he sort of lost the habit, iyswim.

He still does it occasionally, if we bump into a friend of his, but rarely. He does do it sometimes at home though, which is equally annoying but less embarrassing - I just turn my back and tell him to sit. He sort of bounces on all four paws for a minute in frustration, then sits Grin

wiggofan · 26/09/2012 12:16

Its such a relief when the jumping stops. There was a large group of hikers coming towards us on our walk today. Six weeks ago I'd have put him on the lead or he'd have caused havoc jumping and spreading the love, and the mud. Today, for the first time, he walked past a group of people and completely ignored them. I never thought it would happen Grin

suburbandream · 26/09/2012 13:04

Glad I've found this thread! Our terrier is super bouncy (but quite small fortunately!), he is v.friendly and just can't help himself. We are persevering with Off and ignoring but it's hard work, especially when dog lovers come up to him and indulge him Smile