Willow is just over 6 months old. She loves everyone and every dog we meet in the street she wants to go to everyone. People obviously want to stroke her I get her to sit when people aproach but we took her to pets at home and she was hyper excited and just kept jumping at anyone that passed. How do I get her to not jump up. Is there something I should be doing I reward her with high value treats but she still jumps up sometimes. Will she grow out of it in time. I don't want a big dog jumping up people. She is bigger than next doors spaniel now and muscular. I clipped the lead to the front ring of the harness so I did have more control but this is not the answer.
Hello, this is very common at this age, She won’t grow out of it, she needs to be trained to not jump. The best wat is to get to an obedience class and train her around distractions. That way you get support and she will get there with patience.
Hi @WillowA What is pets at home? Teach her to sit or down stay. If the person approaches and she gets up, then the person stops or backs off. She must remain in a sit even when the person is near the dog. Give her treats for staying in a sit as the person approaches. Treats stop if she gets up. Person stops approaching. Problem? You need a friend who will follow your instructions. You have to be able to control the interaction. Doing this with strangers is fraught with danger. I wouldn't try it. You can use prevention--hold her down. But you have to be aware of who is around you all the time until the jumping up becomes extinct. I prefer to teach an incompatible behaviour--sit stay. She has to remain seated when we have visitors. When she has calmed down she is released. And when outside, frequently and politely ask strangers not to try to interact with my dog.
Hiya, it's good that you're taking it seriously! Try taking a look at this guide on our main site, it's got some great advice for teaching Labs to stop jumping up You might also like this thread from late last year: https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/teaching-4-feet-on-the-floor-to-7-month-old-lab.25661/ (if only to see that you're far from alone!) Good luck!
Ahhh, in the time it took me to find proof that you're not alone, other members already turned up to tell you you're not alone! Love this place Pets at Home is a chain of pet stores in the UK Michael
Thanks @sarah@forumHQ We have a pet chain here that welcomes pets. It's a rarity. Very few stores allow public access to dogs. A nightmare for individuals with assistance dogs. Frequent occurrences of abuse, even though those dogs are legally allowed everywhere. Back to pet store. Makes my Lab anything but calm, in fact, quite nervous--food smells coming from every direction, and her inability to see if anyone is approaching as a result of the high shelves. She's not a fan. I now leave her in the car.
We can't leave dogs in cars as there have been cases of the being broken into and dogs stolen. Some great tips I will check out the links. Tbh she is doing really well its the odd hiccup she does sit when in the street. The shop was a bit overwhelming for her all those pepole and other dogs they also have rabbits in a glass area so the dogs can see them. We have been taking her there since she was a pup but was easier to control then. Next time we go I will get her sit quiet off to the side and just watch people come and go until she calm. Great advice she does love her training sessions. We have been doing sit and stay in the obedience classes. https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157203372057630&id=665052629
I normally carry high value treats that over rides the people and dogs. I have some kibble mixed with a small amount of sardines in a small sandwich bag and show her that when I need to get her full attention.
Virtually all of the pet chains and also local pet stores here allow pets on leashes. Home Depot does also, and many of the staff carry dog treats. Cooper behave fine in that kind of setting. She is happy to meet people or dogs as long as they are friendly.
We was being approached by a person with a dog. I threw some treats on the floor and got Willow to find them while the dog got closer she was doing fine until they got really close then Willow just wanted to say hello. She wasn't allowed as the other Lab wasnt friendly. In the street was very good and sat and stayed I had her full attention while someone passesd us with a pushchair. I train her all the time while out she very good off the lead she comes straight back she will run in a wide circle then come back on her own. I haven't exposed her to other dogs while off lead I don't want her running up to other dogs and being bitten. We walk on a public footpath through a farmers field so don't encounter lots of dog walkers they stick to the housing estates.
It's difficult but she does need to learn to interact appropriately with other dogs off lead. Do you have any friends with nice dogs you can walk with?