Dog Park Jumping
We've recently begun taking Casey to the dog park, but she has this terrible habit of jumping on people at the park. We've been working really hard to get her to stop doing this at home, but as soon as we get to the dog park and she's off-leash, she gets really over-excited and jumps at people. It basically happens like this:
Casey sees another dog and its owner. Casey runs towards other dog and owner (me several yards behind); if owner acknowledges Casey (by talking to her, bending down, etc) Casey racing over to them and jumps. Just one jump (it's like a "drive-by-jump" - she just runs, jumps once, and then usually runs off). She doesn't stop at all to actually get attention from the owner, she just runs up to them, jumps once, and then runs off to see their dog. Sometimes she'll come back if they start talking to her again, but usually that's it.
Part of the problem is over-excitement at the dog park (lots of stimulation and new dogs and people) - she jumps when she gets excited and forgets her manners. Because she's off-leash, I can't correct her with the leash, and it happens so quickly that I don't know how to deal with it. It's literally a run up, jump quick and run off type of behaviour. Any advice on how to curb this behaviour?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Julia on
-
And another part of the problem is that the people my Corgi jumps up on are saying "Oh, what a cute Corgi! Oh, can I pet you? You are such a cutie, yes you are!"
Sometimes when I yell "Lili, off!" the people straighten up and the dog gets down. But if the people don't care, then the dog doesn't either.
If Lili were a pit-bull, it would be a very different story.
-
Permalink Reply by Alex, Al and Aly on
-
Julia is so right. Other people make it so diffcult to correct that kind of behavior. They don't mind, but it drives me nuts. i personally don't like other people's dogs jumping on me; so I try very hard to stop Aly from doing it to others. Lots of practice- Aly, Off! followed by a treat or a "good girl" has been helping. Good luck!
-
Permalink Reply by Jacki & Izi on
-
We are working on this with Izi, because she too gets overly excited and jumps. I find the thing that helps the most with her is taking her for a jog/long walk before we go anywhere with people or before people come over. Usually if we tire her out before then she tends not to jump as much. I don't know if you walk Casey before heading to the park, but if you don't, I would suggest trying it out. See if you can get her tuckered out prior to going.
-
Permalink Reply by Carla on
-
In all honesty, I go to the dog park with singular goal of tiring her out (well, having fun and getting exercise myself are obviously also goals, lol). The thought of trying to tire her out BEFORE going to the dog park not only exhausts me, but sort of defeats the purpose of going in the first place. And to be frank, Casey doesn't really "tire out." Last time we went to the dog park, we spent an hour and a half running/walking/playing and other than a few pit stops for some water, she just kept going and going and going. Eventually we had to leave because I had work to do (not because she wanted to go home!) After a quick 5-minute power nap in the car on the way home, she was ready to go again once we got home (she wanted to play fetch for cryin' out loud! After nearly 90 minutes at the dog park!?!?! Take a break girl!!!).
She's not so bad at home, because I make her lay down for several minutes when people come over so she can calm down and greet them nicely. She's slowly realizing that the sooner she calms down, the sooner she gets to greet people.
But at the dog park, she's not on-leash and it all happens so fast that by the time I either: a) caught up with her or b) even had time to say anything, she'd probably already be off somewhere else trying to sniff a dog or grab a stick and run around. So I guess I'm looking for a training tool/idea that's a bit more proactive in terms of teaching an incompatible behaviour. I think Julia is right though, in identifying other people as a major part of the problem. Just yesterday when we went to the dog park, Casey starting jumping at this woman who was talking to her and calling her over. I tried to get her down, but the woman was encouraging it! Then, about 10 minutes later, Casey jumps at a gentleman walking his dog who was NOT impressed that Casey jumped on him. It continues to be reinforced (and randomly, which makes the behaviour even harder to extinguish) so she continues to do it!
-
Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on
-
The walk have worked for us as well, it drains the dog's energy and initial excitement, builds pack order. It's become a standard procedure whenever I take in a foster, no greeting or sniffing, just focusing on group walks. We walk ours a good 30-45 min before entering the dog park. It helps a lot.
-
-
I understand. It was just a suggestion and something I've found works for my corgi in those situations. I do agree that other people don't help any. Hopefully you will find something that works for you and your corgi!
-
Permalink Reply by Beth on
-
Yeah, other people create the problem by rewarding the dog. My therapy dog who will not jump up on people at nursing homes even when they vigorously invite him (over my protests) will jump on people at the park because they bend their faces over and say "oh so sweet!" and he jumps up and gives them a kiss on the cheek and they coo and squeal. You can teach her "off". What I find helpful is instructing other people to "please ask the dog to sit" rather than saying "don't let him jump."
Just like dogs, people respond better to a positive (please do this) than a negative (please don't do this). :-)
Rescue Store
Stay Connected
FDA Recall
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Recall
Groups
We support...
Badge
© 2024 Created by Sam Tsang.
Powered by
