*Sigh* just happened again! (dogs jumping on people)

[heartmama]

This happened a few months ago and recently again when visiting a different friend.

Please, if you have dogs, train them not to jump on your guests.

I cannot begin to say how much I dislike having your dog jump all over me. I have the nicest friends. They all have the worst trained dogs on the planet.

[ASusan]

amen

[l_olive]

Well, sometimes training like that is a work in progress, and sometimes dogs mess up.

It's a little like saying, "Please, if you have kids, teach them not to [insert whatever bugs you here]." Chances are it bugs me, too and we're working on it. But sometimes he messes up, and we work on it some more.

If it really bothers you so much, why don't you ask your nice friends if the dogs could be somewhere else when you visit? You can't do that with the kids, but you might be able to with the dogs!

[waterproofmascara]

ITA. I have a friend that I will not visit unless her dogs are outside because they are so obnoxious. And as the owner of a bloodhound, I know obnoxious. He may drool on you, but he will do it sitting calmly at your feet.

[heartmama]

Well, since it is appropriate to crate or leash a dog frequently, I don't think it's hard to keep them off *expected* guests if you are vigilant, kwim?

I would make allowances for a very young puppy just like I would a toddler--but I don't really think dog training principles are like child discipline in terms of socialization. They speak a very different social language. They have different social needs. The common factor is the comfort of a guest and conversely, guests with realistic expectations. I do not think it is realistic to have dogs past the young pup stage jumping on people. If they are allowed to do that it is sending all kinds of mixed messages, and can increase bad behaviors that are likely to land the dog in serious trouble.

Interestly, it almost never is a young pup jumping on me. It's a mature dog that has gotten away with it for years...

I also find that people with dogs like this sort of like that the dog does it. They don't really feel bad about what the dog is doing to you. They think it's cute or friendly. So when you ask that the dog be put away they always say "Oh he'll stop soon..." or "Oh he just likes you...". They don't see it as a problem, which is why it happens in the first place.

[Ola_]

I would love people to stop rewarding this behaviour, it would make it much easier to train. Which I suppose brings me to something you can do to stop it - don't pet the dog (or touch it to move it away, same thing). Rather take a step towards the dog, get in it's space. For many dogs this will cause them to stop or even back up - when you back up they will approach on the same principle.

[miss_sonja]

Originally Posted by heartmama

I also find that people with dogs like this sort of like that the dog does it. They don't really feel bad about what the dog is doing to you. They think it's cute or friendly. So when you ask that the dog be put away they always say "Oh he'll stop soon..." or "Oh he just likes you...". They don't see it as a problem, which is why it happens in the first place.

That has been my experience. I hate being jumped on. I like dogs (to visit, not to own) but I really don't like being jumped on. It's obnoxious and damaged my clothes, not to mention scares my kids.

It's NOT cute; it's a sign of poor (or no) training. And yes, adult dogs in my exp, not puppies.

[beanma]

I have a jumper. We are working on it, but she has hind legs like a bullfrog and it's like asking my 5 year old to be quiet. She can do it, but it's really, really hard.

That said, I correct, distract, put her outside, etc, etc. I can't put her in her crate because then she would howl and bark and that would be even worse than the jumping. Likewise, I have an older dog and if I were to put him in a bedroom (he doesn't do crates) he would bark and bark and bark. It's their house, too. Luckily my older, noisier guy is not a jumper, so he can hang out with my guests. My younger jumper is not too noisy when left outside so I do that when she's being really obnoxious.

She is _very_ excitable, though, and wants to show just how excited and thrilled she is to see you by jumping on you. I REALLY don't like this! I have been to Family Dog classes with her and truly we are working on it, but sometimes the solution is not so simple. For this dog, I can step in her space, knee her, tell her "No", tell her "OFF", turn my back and none of it is a magic bullet. She will jump on my back if I turn my back on her! It's entirely playful, but still very annoying.

Anyway, I just wanted to chime in and say that sometimes leashing or crating is not a good option. She'll howl in the crate and chew the leash up. (She's chewed up at least two). If I didn't have a fenced yard (with a 6 foot high privacy fence that she can't jump, because she can sail over anything shorter) I'm not exactly sure what I would come up with to contain her obnoxiousness.

I know some dog owners are obtuse about how annoying their pets are being, but some of us aren't we just don't have great solutions and are working on training in the meantime.

Btw, I have never had a dog quite like this one! She's a piece of work, but has a really sweet personality, too. Super high energy and a real outdoor dog (hound).

As the jumpee, if the knee in the chest trick doesn't work you might try yelping really loud like a hurt puppy. It often works on dogs that only speak dog and can't connect with human language. It does work sometimes with my jumperooni and is a good strategy to let her know you don't like it. She loves jumping and would be thrilled if I would jump and wrestle with her like her doggy friends will. She doesn't always understand when I voice my displeasure in people talk, but if I speak doggy language she gets a very remorseful look on her little puppy face. Unfortunately it doesn't mean she won't try again in a few minutes, but I do see a flicker of understanding for a minute there.

I am sorry you got jumped on and hope it's better next time you visit your friend.

[heartmama]

See I'm just not comfortable shoving my knee in your dog's chest or howling in mock distress. I know these are good idea's in terms of training, but I don't want to train anyone's dog (although I appreciate that you are giving me idea's in case this happens to me again--I probably WILL end up trying both *lol*).

I do not doubt you have a challenge on your hands with that dog--but I just have to disagree that any dog owner is unable to keep their dog off guests. Use a chain lead she cannot chew, ignore the howling in the crate, or keep the dog firmly tethered to YOU the entire time if you really cannot handle forcing her to stay in a crate. It sounds like the dog has to much control to be honest, although I know you are working on it, and I am not an expert.

But really, there are ways to guarantee a dog won't have access to guests. It certainly can be done--although I am talking about planned visits.

Also I am not saying that every dog can absolutely be trained to NEVER jump. Some dogs are just not that reliable.

I am saying that owners can control the situation as needed to assure the dog is unable to jump on people.

I do realize that people are working on it. It just really stinks to have a pack of dogs leaping in your face, ripping your clothes, etc. and I know you all know that.

Honestly the worst part is that people do NOT want you to "train" their dogs. If I felt it was accepted, I would GLADLY take control of the dogs in these situations. The problem is that I would offend someone--it would be seen as very mean to knee a dog in the chest or yowl and "scare the dog"...that is really what makes it so awkward.

[greenmagick]

well, I dont let my dogs jump, doesnt mean it never happens. However, my guests know I have dogs, and if a jump is going to offend them, they neednt come over (now if I am talking about my grandma etc thats different) I will physically stop my dog from jumping, put them up, tether them, etc but that doesnt guarantee they wont get one in....and to be honest, when they are training, putting them away everytime is not teaching them anything.

That being said, my 9 1/2 yearl old lab mix doesnt jump....if hes really excited he'll hop around the person, but never touch them. I had a jumper though, sometimes I had to physically lay on top of her she was so excited about people....even then though every once in awhile she got a jump in. My puppy so far as only jumped on my and DH and we are actively training her to sit when greeting people.

[beanma]

Originally Posted by heartmama

I do not doubt you have a challenge on your hands with that dog--but I just have to disagree that any dog owner is unable to keep their dog off guests.

I never said that any dog owner (myself included) couldn't keep his or her dog off guests. I just said sometimes it's not as simple as crating or leashing.

Sending my dog outside works well to keep her off guests — that's what I do if I have a guest who doesn't like dogs or if she's being exceptionally obnoxious to even the most dog-friendly. She doesn't bark much out there and usually lies down by the back door. Crating would not work for us if the crate were anywhere inside the house in areas she's allowed to go because she's a loud howly hound. I wouldn't be able to have a conversation with you. It's completely obnoxious!

The chain lead I could try, that's a good idea, but she's frustrated being tethered and howls/yowls about that sometimes, too. I do tether/leash her when outside is not an option like when we're at MIL's mountain house sans fence. It is more obnoxious than sending her outside, though because she whines, chews on the leash (I'm sure she'd chew a chain, too, and then I'd be worried about her teeth breaking instead of the chain). I do sometimes crate her there, too, but she will fuss unless she's got a really good bone or something.

It's not a dog-in-control issue. She's actually fairly submissive, but yet still jumps. I have had advice from the very excellent nationally known training facility in our area. It's a bit like asking a rabbit not to hop. She's just got these incredible jumping legs built for treeing raccoons and racing through the woods at night jumping obstacles, etc. She can and will be trained, though. It's just going to take time. I am very happy to have other folks help train her, too. We actively encourage that when people are receptive to it.

I'm just playing devil's advocate. I do agree that it's completely obnoxious when a pack of dogs jumps on you and rips your clothes. That's why I'm very careful about who she meets and how she meets them. I wish she was easily trained out of this. Our older dog responded well to a stern "No", but it just confuses this girl. She's responded really well to other training, though, so I think it will come with time.

I hope your friends seek some help with their dog. Do they not realize that is obnoxious and very annoying for you?

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by heartmama

See I'm just not comfortable shoving my knee in your dog's chest or howling in mock distress. I know these are good idea's in terms of training, but I don't want to train anyone's dog (although I appreciate that you are giving me idea's in case this happens to me again--I probably WILL end up trying both *lol*).

I'm assuming you've told your friends this as well? Many people who are "dog people" just don't understand that seemingly "normal" dog behavior can be quite annoying, or even offensive, to their non dog loving friends. Not that jumping is normal, per se, but it's sometimes more easily tollerated by people who love dogs. Especially people who love their dogs. So deffinitly say something!

Having said that, I want to mention something from the perspective of a dog owner. We have not one, not two, but three dogs. The dynamics of a multiple dog house hold increase the chances of bad manners, especially when guests are over and the dogs are excited. I'm a firm believer in good dog manners, and am quite honestly mortified when they jump or lick or act like twits when we have people over. It happens, what can I say? But with three dogs I'm sometimes out numbered, and with more people, especially kids, people don't always understand that their behavior sometimes exacerbates the problem, especially if they come over unexpected and I haven't had a chance to settle them in preperation for guests.

It's really frustrating to try to get the dogs moved to another room/crates and people talk to them or give them commands at the same time as me. They think they're helping by saying "go with North" (or some such thing), but they're actually inviting the dog to interact with them, which sends mixed signals when I'm in the process of trying to direct them. So while you say you don't want to train other people's dogs, sometimes nothing short of simply not entering the house will obsolve you from that.

Unless these people are flat out oblivious to trying stop the bad behavior, your actions, whether they be active (like walking into the dog's space) or passive (like trying to minimize your presence in front of the dog by averting your eyes or not speaking, etc), can have an impact on the outcome of the behavior.

If I felt it was accepted, I would GLADLY take control of the dogs in these situations. The problem is that I would offend someone--it would be seen as very mean to knee a dog in the chest or yowl and "scare the dog"...that is really what makes it so awkward.

Whether I felt it was accepted or not, if a dog was jumping in my or my child's face and ripping my clothes (seirously?) I WOULD take control of the dog. To me that is beyond the odd jump or unexpected lick in the face that my dogs do, and that is completely unacceptable and dangerous.

Generally I am not a fan of kneeing dogs as a means of training, but when strange or ill mannered dogs jump on me, I switch from devoted dog owner and trainer, to a person who is concerned about safety and self preservation. No dog jumps in mine or my kid's face and tears my clothes while I sit there and politely wait for the owner/handler to take care of it. That is behavior that gets nipped in the bud ASAP regardless of who it might offend.

[PlayaMama]

Originally Posted by North_Of_60

Generally I am not a fan of kneeing dogs as a means of training, but when strange or ill mannered dogs jump on me, I switch from devoted dog owner and trainer, to a person who is concerned about safety and self preservation. No dog jumps in mine or my kid's face and tears my clothes while I sit there and politely wait for the owner/handler to take care of it. That is behavior that gets nipped in the bud ASAP regardless of who it might offend.

heh. i'm not sure how this happened but all of my friends with ill-mannered dogs (and one QUICK border collie) know me as the chick that won't take any crap from their dogs. they get one, "off/down/whatever their mom is telling them," and then i walk into them or put my knee up and they STAY off.

in fact, the friend with the border collie saw my dog jump up on me once when she was a puppy and said, "heh. good luck with that!" and i was like, "you wanna see good luck? i'll show you what happens when you actually train the dog instead of just yelling at it."

my dog does not jump up. she will jump next to you but she doesn't invade your space. except for the woman who owns the border collie and comes over and says, "down," while leaning over and petting her.

if the dogs are ill-mannered and the owners aren't doing anything about it then you have to be responsible for your own outcome.

just my two cents.

[sparkygirl74]

Originally Posted by greenmagick

well, I dont let my dogs jump, doesnt mean it never happens. However, my guests know I have dogs, and if a jump is going to offend them, they neednt come over (now if I am talking about my grandma etc thats different) I will physically stop my dog from jumping, put them up, tether them, etc but that doesnt guarantee they wont get one in....and to be honest, when they are training, putting them away everytime is not teaching them anything.

That being said, my 9 1/2 yearl old lab mix doesnt jump....if hes really excited he'll hop around the person, but never touch them. I had a jumper though, sometimes I had to physically lay on top of her she was so excited about people....even then though every once in awhile she got a jump in. My puppy so far as only jumped on my and DH and we are actively training her to sit when greeting people.

This is where we are with our Newfie puppy. We work on not jumping on a constant basis, but she is Always*So *Excited! I have to kneel down and hold onto her when someone is over (in a sit), until she gets used to them being there...and some times even longer It is not OK with us....but it happens.

WHen I know people are coming over with little kids I do crate her until they are in the house and then let her outside.....I know it isn't the best solution but I don't want the kids scared to come over.

[Sailor]

It's a training issue, and I agree - every dog should know not to jump. I had a jumper too, but he was 4 months old then. Now, he's 3 years and knows better. He won't jump unless I ask for it.

Sometimes, it's easier to train them to "jump" for a hug. Like rearing up and putting their paws on your body somewhere. And then train them when not to do that.

At the same time, if I go over to a guests house and they have jumpers - I shove my knee in their chest, and say a firm no. It's not a training method I used with my own dog ... but, I'm not about to start a long training session with someone else's dogs. There's no way they're getting their paws all over my clothes. I have zero issues protecting myself in that way. I always add a little comment too like "you can train that out of them, you know." I'm sure my hosts think I'm annoying. But, it's better that than getting their dogs all over me!

I do agree that guests who aren't dog people often unknowingly encourage dog interaction. When I was training my dog when he was a pup, and people came over, I told them right off the bat that they had to ignore my dog until he was sitting still or lying still. Don't look at him, don't talk to him, don't interact with him. Otherwise, the dog would just get excited by their attention and revert to bad manners.

[rhubarbarin]

This is a major peeve for me. I am a dog person, but I hate being jumped on, clawed, and mouthed. Many dog people seem to love it though.. and few who allow their dogs to do this understand that other people might not think it's sweet.

I don't care about hurting feelings though, I will knee a dog off me or grab their collar and yank them away. No one touches me if I don't want them to, that includes dogs.

I am fostering the WORST JUMPER ever, so I understand for some dogs it's a long process. He is pretty good with strangers luckily, it's people he knows and loves that he just can't stop clawing.. but I try to never let it go with him.