Vent: hyper dogs and pregnancy

DoubleFlyaway

So, our dogs are only a year old, which means they have bouts of craziness.  They're really (well, really just Zoe in particular) prone to jumping up on me when I get home from work, and a badly placed pounce feels like a punch in the gut.  I have this fear that if I got pg, Zoe could cause me to miscarry from this.  I have no idea if this is a rational fear.  Either way, I'm working hard on teaching her not to do this.

Today DH had to go somewhere, so I was taking them out myself before work.  On the way back in, I saw a woman who looked to be about 6 months pregnant in the hallway.  I started tightening up their leashes and pulling them closer to me, like I always do when someone is approaching.  They usually don't do anything to strangers except wag their tails and maybe poke their noses at them.  They're super friendly and never mean or aggressive.

The lady stood off in a doorway, telling me she'd let us go by, because she's afraid of dogs.  So I pull the dogs even closer to me, as close as I can.  Well, it wasn't good enough.  Of course, Zoe jumped up on this lady!  Right on her baby bump!  I feel soooooo bad.  The lady didn't say anything, but I bet she was furious.

Clearly "no" isn't cutting it... I've got to show Zoe I am SERIOUS about the jumping.

bannedmonkey

1. Training Classes and FAST.

2. Put your knee up when she starts to jump on you. You're essentially kneeing her in the chest but it won't hurt her.

3. Consider a gentle leader or a training coller.

mrs.g_6708

Yeah, I can see why she would be. Oscar likes to jump too and he is 80+ pounds now and just over a year. We're working on it, but he still does it. let me know if you find anything that works for yours. Right now, we just firmly tell him 'down!' or 'no!'.

AliceMM

Yikes. I would be really upset if I were her, especially since she warned you as you approached that she was scared of dogs. Have you taken them to any sort of obedience class? If not I would do it ASAP.

wildwestbride

coming from someone with 2 very large (1 very hyper) dogs, i totally get where you are coming from. we live in a high rise and have to share the elevator with people every day. it can be embarrassing. also, it can seem embarrassing to use "the 'bad dog' tone" in an elevator with other people, but sometimes we have to do it anyway, esp. when there are babies, kids and other dogs in the elevator. and in your case, PG women.

Glowconsin

When you get home from work, ignore them until they sit and calm down.  It's been a lot of effort with my dogs, but they've finally learned.

christykell

There are lots of dog training techniques to help correct this behavior.?

One thing that always worked with our dogs was turning our back and ignoring completely when they jump, give any attention to them is a reward in their minds.

Also, when they jump try stepping on their back toes a bit (not hard to but just some pressure) most dogs will back off immediately if you do this.

Always praise them with treats and loves when you greet them and they don't jump.

If all else fails there are always professional trainers. ?

Mrs. BZ

One way to get him/her to stop jumping is to get another type of leash/harness. I had a pinch collar which worked wonders but some people don't like using them. There are new collars/harnesses that work the same way.

MrsPalmer05

It actually does hurt them when you put your knee up, so I wouldn't do that. Basic obedience class is always a good idea. Also, whenever she does this to you or anyone else, turn around immediately and walk away. Praise her when she calms down. If possible, try to put her in this position often with both yourself and strangers (at the door, etc.). My dog is Zoey too, with a "y"! She's a two year old lab and has calmed down alot.

court1703

what worked for me on our boxer was when she jumps on you grab one of their paws and squeeze.  All dogs have different pain tolerances so you may not have to squeeze very hard or you may have to squeeze really hard.  And tell them "off" as you do it.  She will stop quickly.  Just make sure everyone does it.  (DH and guests too)

JessicaAlice

Ditto what Monkey said.  You can also turn around and walk away from them when they do that.  Then turn around and go back.  If they jump on you, turn around and walk away again.  Keep doing it over and over until they get it and have different people over and tell them to do the same them.  You have to be VERY strict about not letting them jump on you at all, even when you think it is ok.  Yelling at them isnt going to do much, but taking you attention away from them will. 

app1e3

Ditto many of the pps. I have a young pit bull terrier who had a jumping issue but ignoring him when I get home has helped tremendously. I stay VERY quite, open his crate and walk away. If he comes over I turn my back and ignore him. He then goes and sits quietly under his leash, waiting to be taken out. Then I give him affection and a calm hello.

I second the gentle leader--they are amazing. Also consider clicker training, ours use to get so excited to see/play with other dogs we passed in the street and now he's so focused on the click that he just walks on by. 

lyse2143

I agree with the training classes too. You can try grabbing their paws when they jump, squeeze inbetween their "toes" on that thin piece of skin and step on their back feet. This was recommended by a K9 police officer and trainer.

Also, you can grab their paws and make them dance, and when they are really getting pissed off and pulling away from you, throw their front paws on the floor and yell OFF.

In addition, never show them affection or attention when they are doing this as a greeting. Once they calm down and are acting appropriately, you can greet them. They have to learn that when they jump up and on you they will not get your attention.

DoubleFlyaway

They've been to puppy kindergarten, a 6-week training course, awhile back, and that was great in terms of learning basic commands.  The thing we were told about jumping was to turn your back on the dog, but that doesn't seem to work AT ALL.  They just jump all over my back instead of my front.

 I feel like with Riley, he has figured out that I won't give him any pets when I get home if he jumps on me, and I do see a difference in his behavior (unless Zoe is going crazy, and then he'll revert).  But Zoe is not getting it.

I still can't believe she did that... it's not her normal behavior in terms of just passing someone in the hall, and to do it in basically the worst possible situation... someone pregnant and afraid of dogs... urgh.  And it's a bit scary that I can't physically control the dogs better than that by myself.

wlknsnlrn

Are dogs used to do this as puppies. We just swat them on their nose and say "NO". They quickly learned and anytime we tell them "NO" now they stop doing whatever they are doing.

DoubleFlyaway

They are on pinch collars, btw, which help a little, but not that much.

lyse2143

KristenPalmer:

It actually does hurt them when you put your knee up, so I wouldn't do that. Basic obedience class is always a good idea. Also, whenever she does this to you or anyone else, turn around immediately and walk away. Praise her when she calms down. If possible, try to put her in this position often with both yourself and strangers (at the door, etc.). My dog is Zoey too, with a "y"! She's a two year old lab and has calmed down alot.

Yes the K9 trainer told us that kneeing them in the chest, it can actually break their sternum. 

DoubleFlyaway

That's a good idea about repeatedly leaving and coming back.  I'll try that.  The ignoring doesn't really work... Zoe would just jump all over me while I ignore her, even with my back turned.

Riley learned when I would just tell them off and not pet them until they had their feet on the ground.  Or mostly learned.

Mrs. BZ

DoubleFlyaway:

They are on pinch collars, btw, which help a little, but not that much.

You can also try stepping on their leash which was recommended by The Dog Whisperer.

app1e3

I would trade the pinch for the gentle leader--it gives you control over their faces which better helps to redirect their attention, when you have control of their faces, you have control of the dog.

I train horses for a living and it's the same principle. Of course a horse doesn't jump on ppl, but they can be very hard to lead when they are hyper or not paying attention and of course, far more dangerous. I've found the gentle leader to be quite the same in way of efficacy. 

christykell

I'm telling you, try the back toe pinch technique.

Also, try to be patient...they are only a year old which means they are still puppies, it may take them a while but remember to always be consistent.

It takes more work to train some dogs to be good citizens, just keep working with them every day. ?

DoubleFlyaway

Thanks, guys... I'll try the back toe pinch.

Also, I do have a gentle leader back home (I'm working out of town this summer, but get back there in three weeks).  I'll give it a try.  I never really did try it more than just around the living room months and months ago, because it bothered her so much.

KellyLouise...

I have a jumpy hyper dog too. As soon as I got pregnant she calmed down around me. It was weird. She used to jump on me as soon as I opened the door... now she just runs up and stands there wagging her tail waiting for me address her. She is completely different with DH though.... she beats the shiit out of him.

mindlek8

DoubleFlyaway:

Thanks, guys... I'll try the back toe pinch.

Also, I do have a gentle leader back home (I'm working out of town this summer, but get back there in three weeks).  I'll give it a try.  I never really did try it more than just around the living room months and months ago, because it bothered her so much.

She will put up a fight with the gentle leader, especially if she's a dominant dog, but just keep at it. Put it on her every day until she stops fighting it. They are wonderful. My dogs are strong and I can't control them on a regular collar or harness very well. But the gentle leaders are amazing. You have complete control. GL!