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How to stop dogs from jumping up?

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How to stop dogs from jumping up?

Jumping up enthusiastically is part of normal canine behaviour. It has its roots in puppy greeting behaviour which involves licking the muzzle of returning adults. For a weaned wolf puppy it is essential and normal to beg for food by jumping up and licking the adult’s mouth to stimulate it to regurgitate food. In adulthood and domestic dogs jumping up becomes a normal greeting and appeasement ritual. Dogs consider it a compliment – we consider it a nuisance, especially in adult dogs.

In all likelihood it is also a behaviour you have reinforced (rewarded) when your dog was still a puppy. Tail wagging, jumping puppies are just irresistible. How great must your dog’s confusion be when he grows up and suddenly you punish him for something that comes naturally to him and he was praised and cuddled for all along. He was never really taught not to jump on you, was he??

So, let’s teach Fluffy to stop jumping.

In a nutshell you have to make jumping up unrewarding and teach him an alternative way to greet you, which is rewarded.

While retraining your dog try to avoid the situations in which he normally jumps up. Use a leash or his collar to stop him from jumping on visitors and yourself. Alternatively ignore the jumping up and turn your back, don’t speak to him (no, not even to shout at him!!), don’t touch him. It is important that all family members stop to acknowledge the dog if he jumps.

Cool your greeting ritual. On returning home, walk past your dog, ignore him for a little while and then call him to greet him calmly. If he is not too hyper kneel down so he does not need to jump up.

Praise and greet only while all four paws are on the ground.

  • Teach an acceptable behaviour that is incompatible with jumping up like a sit or down stay (your choice).Get a nice treat, hold it in your hand but don’t give it to your dog. Don’t give any command; just patiently wait until your dog shows the behaviour you want. Praise and treat immediately.
  • Take a step away from your dog and repeat the process until Fluffy sits / downs reliably and immediately after each step you take. Don’t make your training sessions too long (5-10 min), rather practice a few times a day, as you can. Always stop on a high note and while your dog is still eager to work. Steadily increase the length of the sit before you give the treat.
  • Practice in different locations, especially close to the gate / doorways where your dog normally gets to greet you and your visitors. Slowly raise the stakes but only increase one criteria in each training session. So, if you decide to increase the time Fluffy needs to sit before he gets rewarded, do not change the location where you practice as well.Once your dog reliably sits or downs you can introduce a verbal cue or command.
  • When Fluffy’s sit stay has become fairly reliable it is time to practice with willing friends. Armed with treats ask them to ring the bell or come to the gate and only greet and reward Fluffy if all his paws are on the floor.
  • Teach your dog a “too bad” – a signal that informs him that he just lost a treat / his reward.  Once your dog understands this signal it can help you a lot to stop unwanted behaviours, as dogs learn quickly to abandon behaviour that does not pay.
  • Get your dog to sit. Hold a very tasty treat about 30 cm away from him on nose level. (His nose – not yours.) As soon as he moves towards the treat (and he will) simply say “Too bad!!” (or “No” or “AAH AAH” – or whatever word you want to use as your no reward signal) and snatch the treat away. Get him back into a sit and repeat. If your timing is good Fluffy will soon decide to change his strategy and offer another behaviour. If he stays and simply stares at the treat reward/ reinforce immediately.
  • Repeat the whole process several times to establish your “too bad” signal or practice sit-stays. To raise the stakes change your position, change the type of treat, put the treat on the floor (but make sure you can get to it first in case your dog makes a mistake) etc… Again, don’t make a training session too long and stop while Fluffy is still keen to go on.  Use these two steps consistently.  Praise and reward acceptable behaviour every time and inform your dog about his mistakes with your no reward signal as soon as he jumps up on you. In that case turn away and walk away and leave him for a minute or two.
  • Give your dog an appropriate outlet for all his energy.  Daily walks – off-leash if possible Play sessions with other friendly dogs.  Retrieve games.  Hide and seek.  Recall practice with 2-5 people.
  • Stand opposite each other or in a circle and take turns calling the dog. Reward enthusiastically when he comes to the right person.
    • Chase – Teach your dog that a certain cue e.g. “I am gonna catch you” will start the game of you chasing after him.
    • Tug-of-war – Played with rules tug-of-war is a great energy burner and good exercise for yourself and your dog. Please teach your dog the rules and stick to them.  The dog lets go of the tugging toy or rope immediately when told to.

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  • Give your command to let go and swop the toy with a nice treat.
  • Give your cue to retake the rope and start tugging again.
  • Practice these exchanges before your dog gets really excited with some slow-motion,calm tugging.
  • Once the dog releases the toy on command put the treats out of sight.
  • He only retakes the rope when invited to do so.
  • Get one specific toy for your tug-of-war and stick to that toy.
  • The game starts only with that toy and on your cue e.g. “Take the rope”.
  • Should Fluffy grab the toy uninvited, tell him “too bad” and interrupt the game for a short while before you start again.
  • Do not tolerate accidents
  • During the heat of the game dogs will sometimes make contact with your hand by mistake. Screech “OUCH!!!” and immediately stop the game. Fluffy is very capable of controlling his teeth and you can use this as a reminder to keep them off people at all times.
  • Other than that let Fluffy be as excited as he wants to. Let him tug, shake and growl to his heart’s content.
  • Tug-of-war makes a great reward during obedience exercises as well.

Should you encounter any problems or have any questions please contact:

  • Hermanus Animal Welfare Society : 028 312 1281
  • Janine (Trainer-Touch therapist-Puppy classes) – 082 490 1650
  • Naomi (animal communicator) – 083 226 3526

Source: Hermanus Animal Welfare

Why does my dog….? Interpreting common dog behaviours

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Why does my dog….? Interpreting common dog behaviours

Your pup’s actions speak volumes, and although you may not be fluent in speaking ‘dog’–you do need to learn how to interpret dog behaviour. Some behaviours are normal (even if we find them weird or gross) while some behaviours are a sign that your dog is not feeling well – physically or mentally. Sudden changes in behaviour are also usually an indication that something is wrong. Chat to your veterinarian if you are worried about anything your dog is doing, and they can refer you to a qualified behaviourist or trainer if needed.

1. Mouth nip at or bite me
Puppies explore the world using their mouths (much like human babies who can’t resist putting every new thing into their mouths) and this exploration includes human appendages. Before they leave their littermates, they mouth and bite each other while playing, which is critical for them to learn bite inhibition but also reinforces the idea that using their mouths is an appropriate way to interact with others.

Since their little teeth are like needles, we often react immediately to this, and your little pup thinks this is a fun game! They also learn that it is a very effective way of getting your attention.

Puppies also bite and chew things when they are teething as this brings relief to their itchy, inflamed gums.

If your young one is nipping regularly, it’s important to address this before it develops into a more problematic dog behaviour down the line.

2. Spin or Chase their tail
As puppies are growing up, they may discover their tails and chase or bite at them. Since they look seriously derpy, when they are doing this, we may be inclined to laugh which inadvertently reinforces the behaviour and means that your pup is more likely to do this, especially when they are trying to get your attention.

However, some dogs may start to spin or chase their tails compulsively, especially in situations where they feel anxious or frustrated. This is a serious behaviour problem requiring veterinary attention and is sadly more common in some breeds of dogs, such as Bull terriers.

3. Dig
Dogs dig in the ground for many reasons: to find underground critters like moles and insects, to make a cool spot to lie, to hide something important to them, or to escape an enclosure (either in search of fun or because they feel distressed on their own). However, some dogs “dig” inside as well. Have you ever noticed your dog scratching at the blankets or sofa in order to find the perfect place to lie down? This behaviour happens most often at night and during nap times, and it is completely normal, the equivalent to you fluffing your pillow or shaking out your duvet before you get into bed.

If your dog’s digging is a problem, contact a qualified trainer to address this issue.

4. Eat poop
Dogs eat feces for many reasons:

  • Curiosity – investigating novel things
  • Exploring the environment – remember, dogs explore the world with their mouths
  • Boredom – young puppies especially are motivated to engage with the world around them and if they are in a barren environment, faeces may be the only thing for them to interact with
  • Hunger – Dogs are naturally scavengers and while bird and cat faeces may seem ultra gross to us, to dogs, they contain some nutrients
  • Anxiety – when they associate the presence of faeces with being punished and are attempting to ‘hide the evidence’.
  • Eating poop can also be triggered by a nutritional deficiency. Make sure you feed your dog a well-balanced food, and contact your veterinarian, especially if your dog is also losing weight.

5. Pant
Dogs have very few sweat glands (mainly in their paws) and therefore cool themselves down primarily through panting. Panting expels body heat from their mouths by using evaporative cooling.

However, it’s important to pay attention to panting, as this can also be a sign of pain, stress, anxiety, or other health problems. If you notice your dog panting when it is not particularly hot, consider what else is going on in the environment and seek veterinary advice if needs be.  

6. Sit on my Feet or Between my Legs
This is often mistaken for possessive behaviour, but is more likely a sign of anxiety or stress. Your dog is trying to feel safer by staying close. Some trainers encourage pet parents to teach the command ‘middle’ where your dog sits or lies down between your legs for this very reason.

7. Drag their bum on the ground
This behaviour is called scooting and while it may seem funny (or kind of disgusting), it is always a sign that something is irritating your dog’s anus. It’s possible that your pup’s anal sacs are full and need to be expressed, or that the skin around the anus is itching. If your dog’s anal sacs are filling up too quickly or not expressing normally when they defaecate, discuss dietary changes with your veterinarian. Your dog may need more fibre in their diet or a specialised diet to reduce allergies.

Other things that can irritate the area and cause scooting are ingested materials like grass or hair that have become trapped in the anus.

8. Urinate in the house
If your dog is house-trained, it may come as a surprise if you see them urinating in your home or find evidence after the fact. Changes in a dog’s behaviour always have an underlying reason even if it is not obvious to us. Formerly reliable dogs who suddenly begin urinating inside need to see the vet, since their behaviour may be due to a health issue like a urinary tract infection or an endocrine disorder. Anxiety and cognitive dysfunction can also be reasons house-trained dogs may urinate inside.

Of course, if your dog was never completely house-trained, this is something that needs to be addressed with a qualified behaviourist.  

9. Yawn
Although you might think he needs some sleep, a dog yawn doesn’t always signal that your dog is tired. Yawning can be a sign of anxiety, fear or stress. If your dog appears to yawn more around a new person or situation, in a new environment, consider ways to help them feel more relaxed with treats, toys or a safe space such as a crate.

Recognising and correctly interpreting the myriad behaviours that dogs exhibit can help us to understand our canine companions better which not only improves the bond we share, but also means that we can more easily identify when they are not feeling well, whether physically, mentally or emotionally, and get them the help they need.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition

All About Dog Zoomies!

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All About Dog Zoomies!

Does your dog go into a frenzy after bath time? If so, they might have a case of dog zoomies. To learn more about this frenetic behaviour, why it happens to your dog after a bath and other triggers, keep reading.

What Are Dog Zoomies?

“Zoomies” is the informal term for the frenzied running some dogs do after a bath, which is also sometimes accompanied by frantic rubbing on the carpet or grass, or rolling and scratching in their beds. The official term for this, coined by biologists, is FRAP, an acronym that stands for Frenetic Random Activity Period, says The Labrador Site. Dog zoomies differ from regular running. A dog who runs happily out of the bathroom before settling down, for example, may simply be expressing happiness that bath time is over. A dog who’s got the zoomies, on the other hand, will take off at full speed and keep up this frenzied behaviour until they tire out.

Why Zoomies Happen After a Bath
Baths aren’t the only thing that can trigger dog zoomies. Some dogs also do this after grooming or swimming, and they sometimes get triggered during play. But giving dogs a bath seems to be a frequent trigger for dogs who are prone to zoomies. No one is certain why zoomies happen to your dog after a bath or what they mean, but here are a few guesses:

  • Stress relief: Baths tend to be stressful for pups. The frenetic movements involved in zoomies might be a way for them to relieve stress by releasing their pent-up energy from their negative feelings about having a bath, suggests I Heart Dogs.
  • They don’t like smelling clean: Dogs put a lot of effort into smelling like their surroundings and probably don’t appreciate having the scents they’ve meticulously collected replaced with the smell of shampoo. The zoomies may be an attempt to escape the perfumed smell, while the accompanying rubbing and rolling might be an attempt to restore their previous scent.
  • Drying Off: You may notice your dog running around and rubbing up against furniture. While they might be trying to get back their pre-bath smell, this might be their natural method of drying out.
  • Pure joy: It’s also possible that dogs who get the zoomies are simply so overjoyed at being done with bathtime — or any other trigger activities — that frantic running and rolling around is the only way to release their feelings and fully express their joy.

Should You Worry About Dog Zoomies?
Unless your dog has a medical reason for limiting physical exertion, such as a heart condition, stitches that are healing, or recovering from an injury or surgery, the zoomies aren’t harmful for your pooch, says The Labrador Site. However, indoor zoomies could be destructive, especially with larger dogs. In their frenzy, dogs might knock over furniture, cause breakables to topple or tear up carpeting. If zoomies are a nuisance, you’ll need to take steps to calm your frenetic pup.

What to Do About Your Zoomie Pooch
Here are a few tips to help manage your dog’s zoomie tendencies:

  • Exercise before a bath: A dog who’s already tired from a long walk or a vigorous game of fetch will be less likely to get the zoomies after bath time.
  • Don’t chase your zooming dog: This will only increase their frenzy.
  • Take your dog outside: If you have a fenced yard with a well-maintained lawn and there’s nothing you’re afraid to let your clean pooch roll in, simply open the door and let the zoomies run their course outdoors.
  • Zoomie-proof your home before bath time: Prepare a room where it’s safe for your pup to zoom their heart out by removing breakables and making it off-limits to any small children or more frail pets. Leave your pup’s bed in the room for them to roll around in to get their zoomies out.

Zoomies may give the appearance that your dog has gone crazy, but it’s completely normal dog behaviour and not something you generally need to worry about. As long as nothing gets damaged, zoomies can be fun to watch, especially when you know that they’ll run their course and your dog will eventually tucker themself out.

Source: Hill’s Pet Nutrition