Jumping Up - What Am I Missing?

mearthone's picture

My 5 yo rescue Xolo craves attention. When I'm in a room and the other dogs are there, she constantly jumps on me. She has good manners, in general. And, I've taught her to sit if she wants anything from me. BUT...as soon as she sits and gets attention, she automatically jumps again. She gets ignored and then will sit on her own...and jump once she gets attention. Argh! I'm going to start her on Training Levels, but I'm missing something for right now. Help!? Suggestions?

Connie

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Aidan's picture

Duration, Doggy Zen

Well the Training Levels will certainly help as this is a "Doggy Zen" problem that you're about half-way to solving already.

This is one of those "to get the thing you want, you've got to first give it up". She "sort of" understands that. I'm guessing that if I spent a day in your house I'd probably discover that this is not the only little attention seeking problem she has?

So start the Levels so that you become a "Zen Master". Then start adding some duration to the amount of time she has to leave off jumping up. Then put the jumping up on cue and use it as a special treat every so often.

Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com

mearthone's picture

Annie's Getting It

Hi Aidan...

Annie has "magically" gotten the message. Now, *I* have to figure out how! She hasn't completly stopped the jumping, but she thinks first before she does it and it keeping 4 on the floor about 85% of the time. I'll take it...I just don't know, yet, how we got it. Things have been too hectic to evaluate it. But, I have started doing targeting with her and she loves it. She got it on the second try. I think, mostly, she liked the one on one attention...all other housemates not invited in our game.

By next week, if not earlier, we will begin working steadily on the Training Levels. I'm sure you're right...if you spend time here you would find other attention getting behaviors. Would trying to at my PON on random occasions be one of them? She gets along with all other dogs (or ignores them altogether), but she and Lacey have this "thing" ...it's seldom I can catch the cues...OTHER than, when I add myself to the equation. With my husband around, the girls never get into it. It's never been bad enough to go to the vet...but certainly a lot of fisticuffs and noise...broken up with a stern "LEAVE IT" from me.

I think getting the girls both into Training Levels will do them a lot of good and they'll certainly be getting more exercise. The weather here has been nasty...lots of rain and wind (like that's a news flash or the Pacific Northwest LOL). It takes clever planning to get outside and make it seem fun...especially with the Xolos who think wet feet is about as bad as taking a bath!

And the beat goes on....

Cheers!
Connie and the ZooCrew

Connie & the IslandZooCrew

mearthone's picture

Jumping Up

Thanks, Aidan! Sage advice, as always. I'm having to be away from home quite a bit right now and, of course, Annie is even needier. I can see her thinking before she jumps, and giving me a look like "I know I'm not supposed to do this but I REALLY want to just get my time with you alone.

Thanks for letting me know I'm actually doing right by what I'm started. It will still be a couple of weeks before I can get back to levels consistently. Even little Ochipa is begging to "work." And, you would smile to see Lacey the PON sit and stare intently at her ball and chuck-it sitting in the window when she wants her exercise time.

This e-zine, the levels, and all the great advice are simply amazing!

Connie

Connie & the IslandZooCrew