Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had overcome a problem we're having with our 14 month old boy Toby, he loves a long walk in the country and on the whole is pretty good off the lead. The problem is that as long as we have the place to ourselves he's great, however, if anyone else comes into view, either walkers, runners etc he has to go and say hello. This in it's self isn't a problem apart from the fact that he nearly always jumps up at them!! He's a friendly boy and I have no issue with him greeting people who are usually happy to say hello, however understandably most people don't want a 24kg usually wet and muddy dog up their front!! At the moment we walk him like mere cats on the look out for people, children etc and have started putting him back on his lead to avoid embarrassment but I would rather teach him to greet nicely and in a calm manner anyone got any ideas how best to go about this? I'm working through the "total recall" book at the moment as I thought being able to get him back before he jumps up might be a start Thanks
Tatze can't greet people outdoors without putting her paws up, so we lure her past with a treat. She's so used to this now that she looks to us when she sees people. No greeting unless she's on her lead ...
Hi, it's a common problem with young dogs but you could train "look at me" which you can start with Toby on lead or if you do see anyone in time pop him in a sit and treat with high value treats. Have you clicker trained? four paws on the ground is a great way to start x
Good luck Bev45, am going through exactly the same thing with Molly aged 8.5 months. Some great advice here
Thanks everyone, I did once teach him look at me but haven't practiced it for a while so will try that route and take plenty of treats with me, thanks all for your advice
I think it is much easier to train a dog to stay away from people when out and about than to not jump up. Of course do both, but in terms of immediately solving the problem, training a dog to ignore people is easier and quicker.
I used to have a similar problem with Harley. She went through a stage at 9/10 months old for a few weeks - she jumped up at anyone she seen on a walk! I taught the 'look at me' cue and treated as soon as she done this them would pop her on lead. I then taught 'touch' where she has to touch her nose on the palm of my hand and rewarded this with a short throw of her ball. Within a few weeks she started ignoring everyone (humans and dogs) and would touch my palm with her nose everytime she's spotted anyone. She still jumps up at certain people, but these are usually very exciting people to her and they know her. She also knows who not to jump up at and is really good at this.
We have the same problem with 12 month old jessie. Her recall is ace in pretty much every other situation! But people and dogs she is like a loony kangaroo. Your description of being a meerkat made me laugh, because that is exactly it, isn't it? We are on watch all the time! I Don't have much to add really to the above. For us, I think we need lots more set ups to get her people and dog proofed. And this is my aim for 2017! Good luck!
