My puppy is doing pretty good with basic commands (no, off, sit, lay, etc.) but has a VERY hard time when she is around new people. It is like she doesn't hear me. I can't figure out how to get her to stop jumping up on everyone (particularly my nephew and goddaughter who are little). I know she just wants to play, but she is scary to the little ones and sometimes scratches them with her nails. I have tried keeping her on the leash and waiting until she sits nicely before having them approach, but it does not help. As soon as they move she's up!! Also, she barks back to me!!! Not always, but sometimes. (Especially when I am on the phone, so I think some of it is attention seeking, but not always!). For example, she jumps up on the coffee table so I say "off". While she does usually comply, she sometimes will start barking. I can usually distract her, but sometimes she will bark while sitting, laying, getting a toy.... It is pretty funny seeing her try and bark with a toy in her mouth : any ideas? Barking in general is not a concern (yet) but I am not a fan of her talking, ehr barking, back. Even though everyone else thinks its hilarious...
Re: Bark Talk Enthusiastic jumping up is a problem we all seem to have to deal with Rest assured that with help, over time it will improve. The best approach is to teach your pup that sitting is more rewarding than jumping. Have a look at this Kikopup video: http://youtu.be/lC_OKgQFgzw You will need to enlist the help of some other people so you can practise and reward not jumping. You will probably need to give her a continual stream of treats to keep her bottom on the ground. Keep her sitting where she is and have the other people approach slowly. As soon she moves they should turn and walk away. So, this is a combination of teaching an alternative behaviour (sitting) by rewarding the sitting and by removing rewards (attention) for jumping up. This will take a lot of attention from you when new people come over. If you can't spare the attention (because you need to focus on your guests ) then a crate is probably going to be the best approach for those times. Do you have a crate? With the barking back... When she barks for attention (or jumps on the coffee table) gently lead her by the collar to another room without saying anything and shut her in it for a 30 second time-out (in the bathroom or laundry). When she's quiet just open the door without saying anything and let her out again. Make sure you are really consistent so that every time she barks for attention she gets a time out. Also, at times when she is quiet (and near the coffee table without jumping on it), notice that and reward it with a treat. The lesson to her is - "If you are quiet and on the floor you can be with me and you get nice things, but if you are not then you get stuck in a boring room. Your choice". Hope that helps a little bit
Re: Bark Talk Great advice from Rachael. With the phone thing, Charlie used to get super excited when I was on the phone. It think it was because he could hear the other person and thought "ooo, a guest to jump on". It wore off and he doesn't bother now.
Re: Bark Talk Jumping up does get better. With adults I ask them to turn their bodies away from her and ignore her til she sits down. With children I distract her a lot with a ball (her favourite thing!). I hold harleys collar when my nephew comes round until she calms down. This usually works
Re: Bark Talk Thank you!! I will continue to work with her (she IS getting better). I just love seeing the improvements each week ;D. I do not have a crate for her at the moment. On days when she is left it is too long for a crate . I like the idea of "time out" but will have to find a spot for it. Currently she goes in the spare bathroom when I'm gone, but I don't want her to associate that with something negative...
