What can I do about a dog that absolutely loves everyone too much?

Question

My 7 month old cocker spaniel is way over the top when someone calls at the house. He gets way too excited when greeting people. He literally hurls himself at them, jumping up and crying. He went to puppy classes and was loopy compaired to the others. He's just been neutured,but can't see it making much difference. I ask people who come to ignore him, but it's hard when he's leaping like a loony. He has a gorgeous temperament, but just need him to calm down. Apart from this he's relatively calm.

Answer 1

I had exactly the same problem with my dog. Heres the advice I was given by a trainer and it worked a treat.
When you come in from work, shopping etc. don`t make a fuss of him. That`s the first golden rule. You`ll find it really hard but don`t lean down to stroke him and keep your voice calm. Once he has chilled out a bit then show him some attention but once again keep it nice and relaxed. He`ll learn that he needs to be calm to get attention. Get your guests to completely ignore him. I know you said you tried that but that means no eye contact and no stroking. If he jumps up at them they should stick they`re knee out. Not to hurt him but to push him away. If he manages to calm down give him a nice big chew or bone and that should keep him occupied. But only do this if he calms down otherwise you`ll undo your hard work.
It sounds simple but you`ll have to be really patient and consistent. He`ll also calm down a bit as he gets older.
My dog still gets excited when people come round but that`s natural. He calms down after a minute or so now and allows us to relax. Hope this helps, good luck!

Answer 2

First of all, you should take your dog to obedience class so you can learn techniques how to deal with this problem. He sounds very insecure and he needs to learn his place in the pack. He needs to learn that you are Pack Leader. The fact that he was loopy simply means he needs MORE training.

If his neutering was really recent, you have to realize that it takes about 6-8 weeks for the hormone levels to drop and balance out. The changes do not occur immediately.

We saw a show on Animal Planet where the trainer had the people cross their arms and look up and away from the dog and it stopped jumping up. That worked for my husband. I've worked on the dog more, so I have had pretty decent results for a while.

If you respond to him when he jumps, it actually rewards him for jumping. So ignoring him that way, and absolutely NOT giving him any attention until he SITS should help.

When you have visitors, you can also put him on leash before you let your visitors inside. This tells him he's under your control. Keep him on a short leash and noone pets him till he behaves. When he's calm and sits, pet him.

Answer 3

You can try putting him in a crate or another room for about 5 minutes after the person has arrived (crate before person is there), and then bring him out on a leash and slowly approach him to the guest. The guest should not make any gesture towards him w/o asking permission first. Have your dog sit and then allow the guest to approach. If he breaks his sit make him sit again, and treat when he does not break. If he is still wound up, then crate him for another 5 minutes to calm him down. It may take some work and time for you to get this but hopefully it will work.

Answer 4

You will have to ignore the crazy behaviour and try some serious training! Practice with your dog, get a friend to ring the door bell, when your dog goes crazy, say NO, ask him to sit and only reward the dog when the dog is settled and quiet.

You could try to distract him from people coming in with a squeaky toy or a if your guests are willing, they could reward him with a treat for behaving.

If you know that you have guests coming then take him for a long walk beforehand to try a tire him out.

Answer 5

Try removing him from the room before you let visitors in. You can buy tablets that will calm him down from Pet stores or have a word with your vet about them. He's still only a puppy and will calm down eventually. It's better than having a dog who wants to attack everyone. Good luck

Answer 6

There are "No-jump" harnesses that you can purchase at the petstore. They work lovely, especially when people are trying to greet him. Definately make him sit and stay, and keep encouraging the people to ignore him until he calms. Keep him on leash if you're expecting someone over, that way, you can get more control and he will learn that is wrong.

Answer 7

You need to insist he stay off people it can be a danger to the elderly and ruin clothing. When the door bell rings restrain him until he has time to adjust. He should be allowed to go see them after he is calm but if he gets away and tries to jump firmly tell him "NO" "OFF" While taking his collar and attaching a leash. Then insist he sit and stay until you release him to try using his company manners again.

Answer 8

Teach him to act calm.. Don't give him attention til he is sitting and calm. Get him more exercise so that he is worn out and doesn't have so much energy when people come over... Give him a job, teach him something, do something with him.

Answer 9

NILF



NILF - Nothing in life is free - dog training - dog article on Pets.ca

Nothing In Life Is Free

Does your dog: Get on the furniture and refuse to get off? Nudge your hand, insisting on being petted or played with? Refuse to come when called? Defend its food bowl or toys from you? “Nothing in life is free” can help. “ Nothing in life is free” is not a magic pill that will solve a specific behavior problem; rather it’s a way of living with your dog that will help it behave better because it trusts and accepts you as its leader and is confident knowing its
place in your family.


How To Practice “Nothing In Life Is Free:”
• Using positive reinforcement methods, teach your dog a few commands and/or tricks. “Sit,” “Down” and “ Stay” are useful commands and “Shake,” “Speak” and “Rollover” are fun tricks to teach your dog.
• Once your dog knows a few commands, you can begin to practice “nothing in life is free.” Before you give your dog anything (food, a treat, a walk, a pat on the head) it must first perform one of the commands it has learned.

• Once you’ve given the command, don’t give your dog what it wants until it does what you want. If it refuses to perform the command, walk away, come back a few minutes later and start again. If your dog refuses to obey the command, be patient and remember that eventually it will have to obey your command in order to get what it wants.
• Make sure your dog knows the command well and understands what you want before you begin practicing “ nothing in life is free.”

The Benefits of This Technique:
• Most dogs assume a neutral or submissive role toward people, but some dogs will challenge their owners for dominance. Requiring a dominant dog to work for everything it wants is a safe and non-confrontational way to establish control.
• Dogs who may never display aggressive behavior such as growling, snarling, or snapping, may still manage to manipulate you. These dogs may display affectionate, though “pushy” behavior, such as nudging your hand to be petted or “worming” its way on to the furniture in order to be close to you. This technique gently reminds the “pushy” dog that it must abide by your rules.
• Obeying commands helps build a fearful dog’s confidence; having a strong leader and knowing its place in the hierarchy helps to make the submissive dog feel more secure.

Why This Technique Works:
Animals that live in groups, like dogs, establish a social structure within the group called a dominance hierarchy. This dominance hierarchy serves to maintain order, reduce conflict and promote cooperation among pack members. In order for your home to be a safe and happy place for pets and people, it’s best that the humans in the household assume the highest positions in the dominance hierarchy. Practicing “nothing in life is free” effectively and gently communicates to your dog that its position in the hierarchy is subordinate to yours. From your dog’s point of view, children also have a place in this hierarchy. Because children are small and can get down on the dog’s level to play, dogs often consider them to be playmates, rather than superiors. With the supervision of an adult, it’s a good idea to encourage children in the household (aged eight and over) to also practice “nothing in life is free” with your dog.


also a squirt bottle does wonders to get attention.

Answer 10

Have you thought of writing to Victoria Stilwell at Channel4 Television/ Ricochet Television so she can help you.Her show is called its me or the dog, and shes very good.