Hi again, Everything is getting out of control and I've lost all confidence. My 6month old male golden retriever "Ted" is continuously jumping and nipping me. Every single walk...on lead, off lead. For example I've just let him off in the field next to my house. I make him sit whilst I remove his lead and give him a treat...he has the zoomies then launches a full on attack. He also does it inbetween recalls and sit/stay training....almost like he's after more treats but it's scary. He focuses on me and any move I make gets him going....I don't dare turn my back because he gets the back of my arms. I don't do anything to excite him...it just starts....although I'm quite tense in expecting it to happen. I feel silly for this as I remember my previous dog doing this but not to this extent. I live in a busy house with my kids and my elderly parents and everyone is telling me what to do. "No more treats" "tap his snout", " lower your voice" none of which is helpful. Ted is a big 25kg show type golden and very confident. Sorry for the long ramble...I'm just losing the plot here. Emily.x.
Hi Emily, Luna used to be like this with me when she was about 4-6 months old. She is now 6.5 months and weighs 27kgs! It got to the stage that I was to scared to take her out as she would just jump, bite and nip me. I tried to work out some of her triggers to help stop this behaviour. If I took her out about 30 mins before she was due food she kicked off. It was like she was scared she would miss it. When we went to the park if I entered one way across the grass she would hit the grass and instantly jump, bit and be a little toe rag, the excitement got to much for her. When she sat to cross the road she was fine until you start to cross and it was jump, pull lead, nip. Off lead play time, when she was this young she was just far too excited and couldn't control it so when she came back she would run and jump up at me and bite/nip. To help stop the behaviour at the time I put the lead on her (we don't use a harness anymore to try stop pulling) and made sure it was short and tight so she couldn't jump around. I know that people advise against it but I sometimes had to physically restrain her until she calmed a bit and then used treats to get her to sit and paw, re-directing the energy. I started going to the park, after dinner and entered a way that she wasn't overloaded. As soon as she started playing up off lead, I stopped play instantly and took her home. During the walk home she would still jump but I ignored her and made it clear that play time was over. For crossing the road, I started to stop making her sit, this would mean she didn’t need to get up before moving so helped a bit with the jumping. Luna was only ever like this with me and I would go home to my husband crying because of it, it hurt him as we knew she wasn’t like this and didn’t know why she done it. Now at 6.5 months old we were at the park this weekend and she got off lead for the walk and play round it for the first time, she went up to other dogs for a sniff and didn’t jump up at people. When I seen her spotting something that looked like she might run after it, I instantly got her ball to focus her attention on me and play. She will still occasionally jump up and try a little nip or bite but your lucky if this is once a week now! When you are in control and have Teds attention try make sure your voice and actions are calm and inviting so he knows its nice time. When he starts playing up, make sure he knows you are in charge with a firm voice. Remember he is now 12 years old and nearly a teenager, what were you like at this age? Keep at it and remember repetition is key, eventually they surprise you and it one day it just sinks in. Sorry for the long post!
Thank you soooo much for the reply! It's been a difficult couple of weeks with him and tbh I've gotten a bit overwhelmed. I've noticed a few triggers like if I he doesn't want to go the way I'm going or if I say leave it etc. I just stand still until he relaxes then move on. He's still doing it but the intensity isn't as great...he gives up sooner. Every walk I come back looking like I've been dragged through a swamp..covered in mud. I've done a bit of research over the last couple of days and it seems alot of people have this around the teenage phase. I know it will settle but like you I dread each outing, which doesn't help with body language etc. A good deep breath now and again helps! Thanks again for your reply...it's nice to know others have got to the other side of this behaviour. Emily.x
I took Luna out at the weekend and when I came home my husband looked at me and said 'how was your walk' implying Luna took me for a walk as I was covered in mud! I now try to enjoy our walks and look for a positive thing to say that she done when I get home instead of focus on the bad. Luna is still very excitable when outside but she just wants to play and say hi to everyone. When we see people I pull her into the side of the path and tell her to wait. if she doesn't try to move she gets a treat, if she pulls a little, nothing. The bit I am struggling with now is when we are going to the park she pulls like mad as she is so excited. When you take Ted out make sure you have separate toys that what he has in the house/garden as this is a special toy only for 'big play time'
Hi Emily, Sounds like he is getting a bit overstimulated. Is there anywhere at home you could get him to burn off some energy before going out? Does he do it before zoomies or just after? What is he like at home? Personally, I’d recommend enlisting a trainer to come and work with you both so you can get back to enjoying your boy. Find a good trainer close to home, no doubt they will be able to get your good boy back in a very short space of time. Good luck and don’t give up.
I'd suggest taking a fun tug toy out with you and channel this behaviour onto that. Then move into using it as a reinforcer... I'd actually be quite pleased if a dog behaved like this - it would demonstrate to me that he found interacting with me fun and enjoyable, more enjoyable than things in the environment - and that would be a great sign of a trainable dog and a good relationship for the future...
