Jumping
Up 2
by David the Dogman
Teach
your dog to sit whenever you ask him to. Sit at the kerb when
you cross the road. Sit in front of you. Then when he runs at
you, or anyone else, if told sit he will sit.
BUT
it has to be practised, and used constantly, not just now and
then.
When
he sits as you have asked reward him with a titbit...a very tiny
one.
Sit
while his food is being prepared.
Lying
down is another skill that is useful. Lie down, I am busy. Lie
down, I want to watch TV. Lie down, while we eat.
If
you say DOWN when he jumps up, the word does not mean lie down
on the ground and keep still...it means stand on four legs and
dont jump up. So you need to use another word, like LIE, or FLAT,
for him...
Also
QUIET is often the noisiest word in the English language for dog
owners ...and all it does is make him think you are helping him
bark. So WHISPER "quiet."
When
he is excited and jumps at you, turn round and walk away. Pretend
you cant see him. Don't speak or shout at him as that is still
acknowledging him and he wants your attention. Only speak when
he has settled down...it will take time at first but he ought
to learn that jumping up is useless as nothing nice happens when
he does it...or nasty for that matter. Nothing at all happens.
If
he asks to be petted, DON'T. Keep your hands away. Don't sit and
stroke him absent mindedly as that gives him too much attention
and makes him feel much more important than you are. When he goes
away from you, then you can call him and YOU pet him, not because
he has forced you to, but because you want to. I have petting
times...when I call my dog and make a fuss of her...not too much
or she will over excite.
If
he asks to play, dont play. Ignore him. Then a few minutes later,
IF it is convenient, you call him and start to play.
Pack
leaders eat first, and you are the pack leader...he isn't...so
he has to learn that...but just eating before him will show him
you are boss.
Pack
leaders go through doors first...so he must not rush through in
front of you.
His
change of diet ought to help, but it wont happen overnight...it
will take about six weeks, as he will still have the elements
of the old food in his system. Many foods on the market have the
same effect as those that excite hyperactive children. I had help
with this from someone who works with them in the NHS. One Smartie
can cause a problem if red is what triggers a child. The same
with the dogs.
Can be colouring, preservatives or content.
(By
the way, red dyes in carpets can cause skin problems.)
If
you have been shouting at him, and most people do...dogs can be
very annoying...then stop, and WHISPER to him. Their hearing is
fifty times more acute than ours...they can hear a beetle walk
across the floor.
Commitment,
Firmness, but kindness.
Do
you have any problems with your pet? Then why not send your problem
to DAVID THE DOGMAN. David is a Canine Behaviourist who works
and lives in Marbella, Spain.
Tel/Fax (00345) 2883388. His web site is located at: http://www.thedogman.net.
David has his own radio and TV shows, and writes for many newspapers
and magazines. David has been working with dogs for many years
and started his career in Israel, working on the Border Police.
He has been involved in all forms of training, including air sea
rescue, air scent work, and has trained dogs for finding drugs.
David has devoted the past 10 years to studying behaviour and
the very passive approach. He does not use choke chains, check
chains, or any form of aggression.
David
The Dogman is available for private consultations in your home,
for further details telephone; Tel; (95) 2883388