Jumping and grabbing at home
I have a 1 year old rescued Treeing Walker Coonhound who is beautifully mannered on walks and with other people. But lately, when we play, he has taken to jumping and grabbing.
He was found by the APL as an 8 week old pup on a road side, and had already gone through 4 homes when I got him as a 7 month old. Very sweet tempered and responsive.
And I know that as a high energy dog that being kenneled while I am at work is hard, but he is still chewing and there is no one else at home to work with him.
I have been looking at the recommendations on the site and have been trying to use the "Ouch"/timeout with him since I read about it last Friday, but when that's coupled with jumping its not easy. And since it isn't happening with other people I wasn't sure how to apply the recommendations regarding jumping.
Any recommendations are appreciated.
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re: Jumping and grabbing at home
Hi cmosley, don't feel too bad about the crating during the day. They sleep most of the day anyway, dogs are active dawn and dusk. What's it called? Crepuscular? Something like that!
If the grabbing is soft enough, or just clothing, then you really just need to address the jumping. If the grabbing hurts, then yes, bite inhibition needs to be trained.
My method for addressing jumping up during play is to teach the dog to sit on the cue of folded arms. You can instruct people to fold their arms and ignore him when he jumps, and then he will be automatically cued to sit. But you need to teach it properly first, get it really strong, do it in a bunch of different set-up situations, ensuring success all the way through. When he is really good at it in controlled situations, you can instruct people to use the folded arms cue. Does that make sense?
It might also help to teach him to play tug of war. This is a good way to start putting some boundaries around really energetic activity, to gain some control when he is excited or "in drive". I have instructions for teaching this here:
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/727
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com
Jumping and grabbing at home
Aiden,
Thank you for the advice. I have been working on the folded arm and the biting inhibition, since Winston has strong jaws and does bruise - even when he thinks he's play nipping.
With working on the biting inhibition can the folded arm/sit on cue be worked on too? Since, as mentioned, he is also jumping as he grabs.
Its really challenging when we're out on a leash and he starts.
Thanks.
Cathy
re: Jumping and grabbing at home
>>With working on the biting inhibition can the folded arm/sit on cue be worked on too? Since, as mentioned, he is also jumping as he grabs.<<
They are two separate issues at the same time, so "yes" for the jumping, but from the sounds of it you really need to address the bite inhibition separately as well - and soon! I would suggest seeing a private trainer who is familiar with teaching bite inhibition.
To be honest, with the problem being presented I would be looking at bite prohibition for now. That is not accepting any mouthing, making it black and white. If there is any mouthing, fun stops, time out.
I would definitely be looking at teaching controlled tug games, this dog needs to learn how to play appropriately.
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com
Jumping and grabbing at home
I am definitely thinking about seeing a private trainer on the bite inhibition, particularly since he is combining it with jumping, which makes it harder to handle.
As soon as he starts I stop all games. And I am going to get a clicker this weekend to work on the tug of war games as I suspect that he will do better with something new to learn too.
Thanks again!
Cathy
re: Jumping and grabbing at home
I'll let you in on a little secret, it is not often that I have used a clicker when teaching tug. I just put that in there because it was for clickertraining.com and it didn't hurt to use one.
But get one anyway, best $3 you will ever spend! A good tradesman needs good tools.
Regards,
Aidan
http://www.positivepetzine.com