How should I discipline my lab?

Question

I have an 8-month labrador and I don't know how to discipline him because I feel guilty everytime I scold him...

He has this habit of jumping on to me everytime he sees me thereby messing my dress... I love my dog, really but sometimes he's very irritating.

Answer 1

The suggestion to have something to hand to put over your clothes is a good one. Then, the best method I've seen work is to enter the room and, as soon as he jumps up, move away a bit and ignore him completely - fold your arms and look in the opposite direction so he gets no eye contact at all from you. (for the first little while you'll have to contend with him still jumping up hence the cover for your clothes) As soon as he stops jumping up and is calmer, look at him and praise him, perhaps getting down to his level. This way he'll learn that the jumping up just gets him ignored (which he'll hate) but being calm gets him a welcome and praise. Good luck.

Answer 2

Do NOT feel guilty about teaching your dog the rules of polite human society. It is the only way he can grow into a happy adult dog that people like to be around.

Find a training class near you that uses positive methods and take him.

In the meantime, do not reward jumping. Turn your back on him until he settles down. Shoving him off you and yelling can turn into a game for a bouncy young lab, so I wouldn't recommend it.

Sometimes it is easier to replace an unwanted behavior (with a different behavior) rather than eliminate it. So teach him to sit when you or someone else approaches.

Does he know sit? If so, have him sit when you---or someone else walks up. If he sits, he gets a treat. Have someone holding him with a leash if necessary and wait until his butt hits the floor. The second he sits, say "yes!" and give him a treat. Every time he sits, give him a small piece of food. If he jumps, he gets nothing.

He'll get the picture and soon he'll be eagerly sitting when he someone gets close. Phase out the treats gradually.

BTW Make sure you practice with people of different ages and sizes and practice in different locations. Good luck and have fun with your dog!

Answer 3

Your lab is still a puppy. He wants your attention and approval. Eveytime he jumps up on you, he is getting your attention, either negative or positive. Around here, Labs are affectionately called "Walmart" greeters. They want to say "hello" to everyone, again and again and again. Your puppy probably has no idea what he SHOULD do to greet you. He's just being a Lab puppy, but Labs become quite large when they mature, and can accidentally hurt a child or an elderly person by jumping up.

I adopted a "pound" puppy about 3 years ago. I enrolled in a "positive" reinforcement training class in my town. I was astounded at how well clicker training worked for my dog.

Pick a word other than "No" to indicate that his behavior is unacceptable. Whenever he jumps up, say the "That's not what I want" word - I use "oops", turn your back to the dog and wait for him to put all 4 feet on the floor or to sit. Turn back around immediately, use the clicker to mark the good behavior that you want, and give him a treat. You can get friends and family to come to the front door so that he can practice his new trick.

This method takes some patience and practice. Karen Pryor is one of the developers of this method and has a website. She helped develop "positive" training methods with marine animals at Sea World. Ever wonder how they get that killer whale to jump up out of the water on cue??

Try to find a "positive" reinforment training class in your area. You will learn so much about how to communicate with your pup and how to get him to do the things you ask him to do. He'll start to think his way through things. This training can create a bond between you and your Lab that will last a lifetime. I was hooked after the first class. Advanced classes include agility and rally - my dog get soooo excited when she knows we're going to school. We both love it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I had a wonderful Irish Wolf Hound, when he was a young dog he would do the same thing, he once jumped in my arms and I fell through a plate glass window, had police escort to er, a plastic surgeon had to put me back together, slit my wrist every which way, I had to do something and fast.....I would squeeze hes paws pretty hard, not to hurt him to get his attention and I would say down in a firm voice, he stoped, this dog was so smart he even knew sign language, I could command the dog to do anything I wanted just by a look or a hand gesture, I miss him he died five years ago and I still miss the ole boy!

Answer 5

With the puppies you need to set the boundaries, just like with a child. You feel guilty because you are looking at it the wrong way. If your dog has no boundaries there is no pack leader but him/her. You have to be the pack leader. Correct him/her with touch first, now I'm not saying beat your dog but there are points of contact that dogs have with eachother in order to maintain leadership and control, utilize this as you are the pack leader. As soon as the pup understands the touch add sound then the pup will learn that specific sound means that's the boundary.

Answer 6

Sounds like he gets excited when you arrive. You will have to work with him on this but meanwhile have something to throw over whatever your wearing for that first moment when its almost unavoidable. He is an intelligent breed so he should learn faster than normal. you can use techniques such as raising your knee or sometimes if you kneel or crouch to his level at those times and acknowledge him. importantly, reward him for being obedient and he will appreciate it and see that it pleases you. Remember to be consistant and he will get the point. good luck.

Answer 7

Well i have some advice first off if you have the money to do this there is training classes at some pet stores like petsmart! they have wonderful classes and you learn alot of information! i took my dog there and he is the most well mannerd dog ever! also when i had trouble with a dog jumping up on me just tap them on the nose and point your finger at him/her and say no! they get startled and stop! you kinda have to hit them enough for them to get startled but most of the time it works! i have worked with alot of labs and most of them are just big babys! i understand when you say you feel guility! your dog is like a kid! well i hope i was a bit helpful! have a great day!
Tarrah Hand

Answer 8

You discipline with a lot of love.

When he jumps up on you - move him away and say no loudly. It is going to take a lot of restraint on your part - and times - but eventually it does work out.

Practice having him on a leash - when he jumps up - pull the leash and say no. He'll figure it out.

Don't stay angry with your pup - he needs your love and friendship to blossom into adulthood

Answer 9

go to your local pet store and get the book on obedience training. Your lab is a smart breed of dog and will learn rather quickly. Be good and God bless.

Answer 10

do not spank your canines! this can make your canines petrified of you and is not a sturdy thanks to practice a canines. at the same time as your lab is chasing the horses, you ought to attempt distracting him with food or a fave toy. call him firmly (not yelling as this makes your canines imagine you're taking section in with him) and practice him the food or toy. praise him if he comes decrease back to you. If he tries to move decrease back to the horses firmly say no. He ought to hit upon difficulty-free approaches to leave them on my own after a week or 2.