I need encouragement here. I have a family lab pup of now 1 year of age. He is very well socialized but due to him being a family pup, he tends to jump up at people at the dog park, particularly those he knows. There are regulars at this park that act welcoming but then make comments telling me he will end up at a shelter, or you just see the look of dismay when they hand out treats to the dogs and he jumps up to get it....why bring treats to a dog park? It is for the dogs to socialize and exercise off lead. I really dont like the regulars that come in the big dog area wtih small dogs and NOT expect a dog to jump when they are holding the small dogs in their arms. I do get tired of the unsolicited advice but then I am the crazy one that does not allow my dog to have fun...? It isn't the dogs that get to me, its the owners!!! Labs love to get dirty, like going in the mud, but this same regular that encourages me to take tiger and ignore other people tells his dog not to follow mine?? I don't get it.
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) People can be very happy to give out free advice at a dog park I think that it's to be expected that some dogs will jump up at people who have treats or are carrying a dog (which some other dogs find fascinating). I've seen people bring tiny human babies into dog parks which is not a good idea as curious dogs jump up to see. And waving treats around is asking for trouble. Having said that I think it'd be a good plan to do some work with Tiger to train a 'sit' as a default behaviour when approaching people. At first you might need to have a few visits that are training oriented, not exercise, and have him on lead. Ask people if you can approach them and as you get nearer put him into a sit and give him a treat. Move a bit closer for another sit and treat. Try to get close enough (not necessarily on the first session) to have him sit for a pat. As he's sitting keep those treats going into his mouth - while he sits he gets pats and treats. But if he won't stay sitting then walk away with him (and tell the person to walk away). Basically you want him to learn that sitting is FAR more rewarding and worthwhile than jumping up. It is pretty rude of people to suggest that he might be rehomed just because he jumps up. But the best response is showing them that you can train him to sit instead
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) Lilly almost always has 4 paws on the ground in the house. Wave a treat around outside....or even hint at it being in your pocket.... Enough said. We love labs and know their ways. Others don't. For them we have to do a bit of training.
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) Ah yes, the dog walking experts , I`m sure we have all come across them I agree , work on a Sit command , then show them what you can do
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) You will always come across people who will tell you that your dog is out of control and tell you how it should be done. I generally ignore these people most of them have small dogs (and have never had a big dog)who all jump up constantly and bark lots, but that is accepted because they are small. I think Rachel's training suggestion is a really good one
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) I have a tiny dog and a Labrador, infuriates me if I have tiny Betty in my arms to protect her when anyone else's dog jumps up. Sorry I don't care if it's a Labrador or not small dogs have just as much right to a walk or a carry if it's not safe to walk as any other dog. I would be mortified if Elsie jumped up at other people, I don't let her off lead if people are about because I am teaching her not to jump up when she has learned she will be allowed to wander.
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) Well Julie, this dog park is divided and separated by a gate for big dogs and small dogs. The way I see it, a dog park is where dogs can be dogs finally for at least an hour. Small dogs need to be where small dog area is.
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) Another thing Ive noticed is, he does not jump at people if he has never met him typically, until the second time he meets them. He generally sniffs.
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) He is pretty good on our walks, but in the dog park, he releases all his energy. In the U.S, a dog park is a gated area meant only for owners and their dogs to play. I have been told that Tiger has good public behavior though.
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) [quote author=TigersMom link=topic=8711.msg123533#msg123533 date=1415837553] Well Julie, this dog park is divided and separated by a gate for big dogs and small dogs. The way I see it, a dog park is where dogs can be dogs finally for at least an hour. Small dogs need to be where small dog area is. [/quote] So where do people like me fit in Betty Chihuahua and Elsie Labrador ? I carry Betty when we go places big dogs are off lead. I don't want other dogs leaping at me whether I have Betty or not TBH very bad manners and for someone like me with MS can knock me over ! Shared spaces should be safe spaces.
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) Hi Julie! I am so sorry that you have MS. I did not mean to offend you in the slightest. In this scenario, the couple loved tiger when he rolled over in submission to their chihuahua that kept bossing him around...Honestly I haven't known a chihuahua that liked dogs much less people that are not their owner at least that has been my experience with dogs here in the U.S (not sure where you live)...but he was not the only dog in the park jumping up at the dog being carried. As one poster suggested, some dogs have a fascination with that...for whatever the reason may be. Many will even tell you that at dog parks, expect to be jumped on by dogs, its just some comments or indirect/subtle comments I get from certain owners that kind of put me in a low mood. Tiger used to jump on everyone, even those he did not know, but now just sniffs and then if he meets the stranger again, yes unfortunately he jumps. He obeys commands in the house but it seems to be a different story at the dog park. Over here we have leash laws and cannot let our dog off the leash/lead. If a car runs over the dog, it is not their fault, apparently, sad but thats how it goes here. I need to find a clever way to teach him not to jump despite my parents and siblings encouraging him to do so on them and telling me that he will stop when he gets to be an adult..goes to show their lack of knowledge and carelessness. I did not mean to offend you once again and I will be vigilant of the fact that there are different people out there and you never know what they are suffering with. I guess the way I thought of it was, the dog park makes tiger happy and its the only place where he is allowed to be a dog...only...he cannot even be that!
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) We don't have dog parks here really our spaces are shared with all sorts of people and activities, teaching not to jump and recall are vital and keeping a dog on a lead isn't not letting it be a dog, it's just safe guarding everyone and your dog. No offence taken BTW I just don't like dogs big or small interfering with others unless invited.
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) That's just it, Julie, in the U.S a dog park is an enclosed, gated space and no one keeps their dog on lead/leash because the dog tends to feel confined and frustrated seeing other dogs running around and playing. Anywho, thanks for the encouragement to all posters. One man asked me if I had done any real training and I called Tiger over and told him to sit...he instant sat. I think the man was amazed and gave me some tips, told me to read up on a few books and taht was that. He was telling me how bad his daughter's dog was, lol. I think I just have insecurity issues in general and I am working on being a leader. Crossing my fingers! Happy friday, ya'll!
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) You will get there with the jumping up The main thing is to try to get in first and reward for sitting (very important when you've got people who unhelpfully encourage jumping, as you mentioned). It sounds like your boy has a lovely recall. I certainly see plenty of dogs at the dog park who do not, so you should feel very proud of that achievement
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) Oberon, you are so positive but then again I think labs tend to have a free-spirited, positive aura to them that just rubs off on their owners! Honestly, lol, I feel like Tiger has trained me in a way. I never realized what a joy labs were until I became (one of) the owners. As far as recall, it is iffy. I call him once and if he does not come I run the other direction which generally sends him running towards me again. I think its all about consistency is what I am starting to believe. It seems like none of the training is getting through until you try X amount of times and make it a habit. Also, if Tiger still jumps after sitting with treats, what do I do next? Do I tell people to turn their backs to him ?
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) You have got the right approach with the recall there. Another thing you can do is little recalls on lead - basically as you're walking along call Tiger to you and reward him for looking at and moving towards you. Make it very upbeat and fun. Do you use a marker word or clicker? Initially, the right time to use it is the moment he turns to look at you - mark or click, then reward. When he's good at that, raise the bar so he actually has to step towards you to get the mark/click and reward. When he's good at that expect more steps towards you etc. Does that makes sense? All that will help to sharpen up his attention and therefore his response to you. After each mini recall tell him he can relax and then continue with your walk. Then throw in another mini recall a bit later. If you ask for a sit and he doesn't sit then, just like you said, walk away and get the other person to walk away. That is removing something he wants (attention) as a consequence of him not doing as you asked. First make sure his sit is really solid outside the dog park environment, then solid in the dog park when it's quiet or he's away from other dogs and people. When that's looking good you are ready to use your sit around people. Reward (treat) for sitting and remove rewards (attention) for not sitting. He will get the idea that it's just better to sit We all know what exuberant young Labs are like - exuberant!! But you'll crack it with consistency and practice
Re: Unsolicited advice/comments from people : Owners behaving badly (lol) I think we can all identify with unsolicited advice! I've come up with a great response: "ah thanks, I'll take that under advice from the qualified behaviorist we're having sessions with". (whether we are or not isn't important ) Wipes the smug grin off their face every time!
