Hello all, I have a lovely 8 month old lab named Belle and she's my first ever dog. She's really coming along with her training but I'm having a wobble about a few things and since she's my first dog I have nothing to compare her to! She has virtually stopped jumping up at us in excitement when we get home, you can see her really try to stay on all 4 paws or sit for attention however out on her walks strangers are still very exciting. I've noticed a huge change in her this week, she was spayed 2 weeks ago and since then has gradually changed. She's much calmer round the house and we feel we're seeing the proper lab she will one day be. This weekend on her walks I've noticed with my guidance she can ignore the urge to jump all over strangers but this is only happening about 70% of the time. Granted, some are actively inviting her to come say hello/play which doesn't help the training. I really don't know how to train her to stop doing this as she isn't doing it at home so we have no opportunity except when it happens on her walks and it seems to come out of nowhere and I feel embarrassed and as though I look like I have no control over her. Another factor is my sister and her 2 young children will be visiting in July and the children will be 5 years and 15 months by then. They visited us in January when Belle was 6 months and it was difficult, of course the children were very exciting for Belle and she had never been around children before so there was lots of stress and tears from the oldest when Belle jumped up at her. I've been told she'll be a totally different dog by then as she'll be 1 year old and will mellow but I already am losing sleep for worry! So really, what I'm asking, if you've made it this far, is please help me with how I can really get it into her head that jumping up on strangers and going mental with children is unacceptable. I'm so worried about the summer and her being around the children but of course she isn't exposed to them in the meantime so am struggling for chances to do some training. Is this normal? Did your lab just stop and mellow out? Do I have any chance of a calm trained dog at 1 year old!? Please, any advice would be so welcome and I'm so sorry this is long and rambly!!
Hi @belle18 Welcome to the forum. Please read the thread. You are not alone. It will not subside on its own. You have to some training. https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/over-friendly.26652/
I feel like age plays a big part. When you’re on walks you need someone to know that you are training your dog to not jump up. If they are willing to help out, every time she jumps they need to turn their backs on her. When all four paws are on the ground she can be petted. Same with your sister, when she jumps turn around. When her paws are back on the ground. Pet! Hope this helps. It did with my pup. If no one is willing to help get her to sit and “leave” and “focus” training is important
