I have a pitbull who is so excited when me or my husband comes home, jumping up & down & sometimes nipping at our hands. What would be the best thing to do to teach her not to do that besides swatting at her to get down & yelling at her when I know she clearly does not understand.
2006-09-28 16:03:43 · 16 answers · asked by Island Princess 6 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You actually should ignore your dog when you come home and she is in that state of mind. If you give her any attention when she is excited you are only going to show her that excitement is the behavior you want her to show when you both get home. Instead try this, get home unlock the door then slowly open the door. If she gets excited and begins to jump at the door quickly shut the door, give her a moment or two and then try again. Show her you will not tolerate that kind of behavior at all when you get home and that until she can calm down you will not come in and see her. If she is in a crate during that day when you are not home come in calmly and let her out of the crate never making a big fuss about being home. When she is ready to greet you in a calm manner once she is out of the crate come over to her and say hello. Never make a big deal about when you come home or leave the house otherwise you may actually be helping to get her energy level up and making her wired when you get home. Once she learns that the only way to get attention is to be calm when you get home you will see a big change in her manner of greeting. I hope that this will help you, good luck.
2006-09-29 10:41:00 · answer #1 · answered by nksneakers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, that is exactly what you should do. Make leaving and coming home normal, and don't pat or talk to her for a little while. Then you will condition her that it's ok. If you make a big deal of her on leaving or returning home, she may develop separation anxiety and bark or howl while you're gone. Use positive affirmation-reward her quiet behaviour, and ignore her noisy, fussy behaviour. Do not yell or swat, adapt a "naughty voice", which is stern and firm when saying "no" and always use the same word-she doesn't hear the words, just the tone. Remove her from the situation and ignore, ignore, ignore. Giving any attention is a reward and should only be used when she is good. But pit bulls are naturally excited, so I do understand, that is her personality.
2006-09-28 17:08:37 · answer #2 · answered by Melody 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree.
We have our friends, our job, our social lives... all our pets have is... us. I'm sure waiting for us at home makes for quite a LONG, LONG day. Definitely give her the attention she is seeking, but when she starts jumping and nipping, say "HEY!" as loud as you can so she knows that's a No no!! When she's back on the ground, praise her for it.
My greyhound is the same way. She does the spinning and jumping, licking and romping... (I got her when she was fresh off the track so, breaking her in to being a lazy house dog was tough work!!) But we're to the point now where she understands my body language and verbal commands. If she gets out of control, I just say "HEY" and step away from her, or ask her to sit down.... when she responds, I praise. =)
2006-09-28 16:13:55 · answer #3 · answered by apinkfreak 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She is being dominate. Ignore her and go about your business as usual. DO NOT SWAT OR YELL AT HER. Get some of the Dog Whisperer information or watch his show on National Geographic Channel. He is SUPER and good luck.
2006-09-28 16:54:20 · answer #4 · answered by MANDYLBH 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't ignore, yell or swat at her. She will beleive you are upset with her, in turn she will be upset and get sick or chew on herself and look like a dog from a 3rd world country.
Praise her, show her love and attention, that is all she wants. The jumping and nipping is just a dogs way to say hello and playing. She is just giving you the kind of attention that she wants.
2006-09-28 16:13:32 · answer #5 · answered by Mickeymouse20 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
She must be pretty happy to see you , so she probably needs a little attention from you when you get in, a routine thing you do that she'll get used to and want to do as soon as you get in and will distract her from bad behavior. Like throwing a toy or ball maybe a treat, they all love tummy yummies. When we've been gone for a while and come in our dog gets to go play and run out doors and a treat.
2006-09-28 16:21:21 · answer #6 · answered by ret w 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes ignore her till she calms down. I took in my friend's pomeranina (watching him for a while) and he too was over excited when he came. He barked and jumped. Soon he learned that if he didnt calm down then he wouldnt get attention.
2006-09-28 16:41:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are right, ignore her and when she has calmed down then stroke her and give her a cuddle. if you give her attention a soon as you come it, sh will think that the result of her behaviour is a petting and that you are happy with her. the behaviour will be become ingrained. she will soon learn that it does not impress you and that the quickest and easiest way to be hugged is to be calm
2006-09-28 16:14:37 · answer #8 · answered by Amoeba 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
pitbulls are high energy dogs, you need to make time in the morning to walk your dog in order to release some of that energy during the day. and walk the dog again when you get home.
most important get you and your husband educated about pitbulls.
2006-09-28 16:25:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ignore her, turn your back, dont even make eye contact. When she settles, praise her gentley and give her a treat.
By swatting and yelling she thinks it is a game ... and continues her bouncing around
2006-09-28 16:08:18 · answer #10 · answered by Feline Female 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋