|
Behavior Tip of the Month
Jumping on Guests at the Door - #2
QUESTION
My dog has learned not to jump on us. However he's terrible at the front door. He jumps on all our guests when they come in the door. I'm tempted to put him in the backyard. What can I do instead of isolating him?
ANSWER
So, you've tried all the suggestions in last month's column and Fido's still jumping on your guests. In that case, why don't you try one more approach. This one is called The Freeze Game and was introduced by September Morn, a well known dog trainer and writer. The idea is to teach your dog how to hold a sit even if very excited. After all, what can be more exciting than strangers coming into the house? Ms. Morn calls this game Go Wild and Freeze.
Teach everyone in the family how to use food lures to sit your pet.
As September Morn says, call `Go Wild' and have everyone jump around, wiggle, wave arms, and make happy sounds. After a few seconds, call `Freeze!' and have everyone stop and stand tall. When the action stops, the player closest to Fido asks him to sit and gives him a treat when he does. Then start another round. Each time wait a little longer before calling `Freeze.'
Play the game by the front door. Have a family member ring the doorbell and come in the door. You yell Freeze and, when Fido sits, reward him with a fantastic treat.
Practice this over and over with family members knocking and ringing the bell. Reward your sitting dog with super-fantastic treats.
When Fido can sit when family members come in the front door, you can try practicing with good friends. If Fido Freezes and sits, he receives unbelievable goodies and maybe his favorite toy thrown into the house.
If you want even more ideas on how to discourage jumping, read Pat Miller' s book mentioned above. Your dog will thank you for it.
Hopefully, one of these methods will make the new year NOT a leap year for you and your pet.
Carole
Best Friend Behavior Counseling and Training
San Diego, Ca.
619-460-6888
"Positively teaching pets and their people since 1977"
Do you have a question for Carole? You can reach her at this email address - cbschatz@webtv.net Perhaps she will use it in an upcoming article on this Web site.
The information contained on this site is in no way intended to replace that of proper veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment.
It is meant to provide resource, so that we can better understand canine health related issues.
|