Dont jump!

[Casper]

I have a 14 month old GSP that for about the first 3 months I had allowed him to get up on me for praising. But after reconsidering that this isnt very exeptable because none else wants him get up on them so I have tried to stop it. I have only been a little successful by using a ball cap and thumping him on the noggen but by the time I get my hat off he has already jumped up. After one thump he knows not to do it again but when it comes to other people its to late before I know it he has jumped on them so when visitors come over he is banished from socializing with people. I have atempted all that I could think of (toe stepping, pushing him away w/ a command and a couple others) the only thing I havent tried is an E-collar because I havent started conditioning him to one yet. Any ideas?

[loneeagle15]

I believe in Game Dog Wolters talks about just this same topic . He feels it is ok for Tar to jump on him but not others and used his wife to teach not to jump on others by useing her kneeo my older dog not a bird dog (wolf shepherd mix) has learned that it is ok to jump on me but not others

[Small Munsterlander]

Casper: What I use to teach a dog to "off" from me is a simple, nonphysical harming method. When dogs do get up on someone they are usually wanting to rise up in the pack pecking order so they seek approval. If the next time your dog gets up you take both front paws in your hands and hold the feet against your chest after a short time your dog will want to get down (yours may take a little longer because he will have built up a strength for this position). Once the dog is physically tired and has gotten no approval from you (don't look at the dog nor talk to the dog) the dog will lightly struggle to get down. Keep hanging on to the feet and don't let the dog get down. (You are only squeezing the feet/toes hard enough to keep a grip). The dog may whimper, even start to mouth your hand(s). Don't let the dog off. Wait a little longer. Then when it appears the dog is getting tired and/or frustrated push the dogs feet down towards the ground/floor with the command "off" (with a gruff voice)(not "down" that is for laying down)(you are not pushing the dog backwards but back down onto all fours). Say nothing else to the dog. After a minute give your dog the command to get back up (if you had one) or repeatedly tab your chest as if you wanted the dog to get back up. If the dog does get up repeat the process. Most dogs it takes only one repeat. Yours may take a few because you have really encouraged it. Should the dog attempted to get up some time later simply repeat the "session" (I have never seen that happen). This method prevents any risk of damage to a rib or foot from kneeing or stepping on. Bill

[birddog]

That sounds like a pretty good tip. It sounds very easy and I am going to give it a try.

Janet

[Birdhunter1]

Put a knee right in his chest. That's what I have done on many dogs and it only takes a few jumps and few times of the dog rolling back on his head for the dog to figure it out.

[dhondtm]

nonphysical harming method. ....... take both front paws in your hands and hold the feet against your chest

That wouldn't be nonphysical....

I am sure this method would work, but I have to agree with the last post a simple knee up and I usually turn away from the dog so they can't get up on you and I too use "off". Ignore the dog until they are sitting calmly then pet them and give them attention.

I would think the other method the dog would never want to come up with a simple pat of the chest. I like to teach the dogs to come up with a pat of the chest and I use "hug" as a command. But, I teach this much later once off is well established.

It is also a good idea to get as many strangers or friends to help you train your dog off. This will keep them from jumping on your guests later. Otherwise they know they can't jump on you but that small child they just met is fair game.

[snips]

What I do is just give them a little pop on the head for a couple of times saying "down". When they are down I lean over to pet them. Then if you put your hand out on their approach they will not jump. You can then tell others to just put their hand out as they are approached to keep the dog off of them. It`s a conditioning responce that will work for others as well, without them having to correct you dog.

[Ryan]

I wouldnt pop him on the head. Could cause him to be head shy. I have always used the knee. Works the best in my opinion. I find also that the dog just wants to look at people face to face. If the visitor goes, gets down on one knee, and lets the dog greet it i find they dont seem to want to jump up on them.

[Ayres]

If you're fast enough, just stick your hand out right when he jumps. Cover his nose/muzzle with your palm and he should move his head around to avoid your hand. Once the nose goes down, so does the body. (Think of it like how a runningback delivers a stiff-arm to a would-be tackler). Eventually, as snips said, you can just walk by and if the dog gets ready to jump you just hold your hand out at waist level, palm down, and it will deter the jump. Combined with an "off" command, it works just as well as any other command the dog learns.

[Casper]

I have attempted the knee in the chest for about 3 weeks straight and all he did was blind side me cause he figured out my knee only went forward. Smart dog.
As Brenda pointed out the poping on the head is where I have had the most luck but instead of my hand I opted for my hat so he wouldnt asociate my hand with the correction to have him later on duck when I raise my hand (had a previos dog that was very soft that I did this too and she would duck if I reached to scratch my head).
What I am realy looking for is how to stop it with strangers. do I just need to hand someone a hat and let the dog go and greet the stranger so he will learn that everyone he meets is going to pop him on the head if he climbs up on them?

[dhondtm]

He might start to learn he can jump on anyone without a hat.

[Greg Jennings]

Try bending over and giving them some love when they do NOT jump but not doing it when the do jump...not even after they off.

I taught my V to jump up..."Hugs"...to keep my dad from bending over to get a bird from him on retrieve. It's an interesting idea to train him to only do it with me. I'll give it a try.

Later,