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Hey guys,
I have a chocolate lab who gets super excited when someone comes to the door. Once they knock he begins to whine and seems to be very excited. Once they enter our house he often jumps up on people. I want to eliminate this behavior since my grandparents are much older and am afraid he may knock them down. Any suggestions?
Thanks!!!!
Tim
Hi Tim - you want to claim the space around your door and there are many Cesar episodes featuring this. Failing that, the method is also part of the online course if you are a member. Other than that, someone on here will give you step-by-step instructions should you need it - jen.
could you give me some tips do this...I appreciate the help!
The claiming the space around the door is important, but with my pup I have elaborated a bit on it. So, you claim the space by walking up to your dog so he has to back away till he is where you want him to be. No anger, just matter of fact energy. Then, and that's where I elaborated, you should have a stong sit and stay command (several months working on it). You ask the dog to sit and stay (of course, if he doesn't know how to you must work on it first). Then you go to the door, if the dog gets up you go back to him and ask again for a sit and stay. And again... and again... you have to be oblivious to the fact that the person knocking is still waiting out there. Personally, I think it's either friends who will understand the delay, or it's a guy asking for a donation to whatever, that I couldn't care less if he waits out there till hell freezes. Then you finally open the door, the dog gets up, you shut the door and back the dog into a sit/stay again. And you repeat, and repeat, and repeat... Eventually, your friend will be able to come in, and the guy asking for a donation will be long gone (you might ask a really good friend to help you out in setting up learning situations, if you don't want to loose not-so-good friends).
I began teaching this to my pup when she arrived at 7 weeks old. At 7 months, one day someone knocked at the door and she instantly sat on her bed. I was very proud. This is to say you're going against everything that is instinctually ingrained into your dog, so it's not realistic to expect quick results. Also you have to praise like mad every little sign that the dog is getting what you want. He will only recondition himself to a new behaviour if it's really rewarding to him. Good news is that pleasing you is usually very rewarding to your dog. So don't forget to show him you are pleased.
Hi! Tim
The other posters provided you with some very helpful information, but it sounds like you need a little more detail in how to apply it. Are you familiar with Cesar method on claiming a space? A key element in claiming the door area is creating "rules, boundries, and limitations" for your dog. When I work with someone who dog has the same issue your dog has, I start by having them create a four to five foot area (boundary) from the door. This is an area that their dog is not allowed in (rules) ANYTIME. In your case I would then suggest using a leash in the beginning to assist you in controling your dog at the door, and (limiting) his ability to "invade" your guest personal space.
You need to make it clear to the person or persons entering the door to follow Cesar rules of NO eye contact, touch or talk to your dog (ignore) until the dog is in a calm and submissive state. This could take up to ten to fifteen minutes initially after your guest arrive. In the case of your grandparents you can have them go in and sit down while you work on getting your dog in a calm and submissive state before he approaches them. If initially after allowing him to approach them (keep the leash on) he attempts to jump on them, stay calm and assertive and bring him four feet away from them and have him sit., again having him wait until he is in a calm and submissive state. During this time, your guest STILL need to ignore the dog,only giving him affection once he is in a calm and submissive state.
In the beginning of working with your dog's excited state at the door, the most important thing you need to do is stay "calm and assertive" Becoming frustrated, angry, yelling at your dog is not going to help the situation. Your dog will see this energy as weak, and become even more excited and unresponsive towards you. Calm and assertive,consistent energy as a packleader is what your dog will respond to. You also need to realize that this may take a lot of patience on your part as well as your guests, but as Cesar would say you need to invision the outcome you want and make it happen.
With controling your dog excited behavior at the door it is important to address his excitement/anxiety at level 1 which would be the whining. By keeping his leash near the door, you can immediately put the leash on him making sure his collar is up behind the ears. When making your correction with the leash, pull up or to the side using calm and assertive energy and using a verbal sound to disrupt his excited state. Sitting, standing or laying down whatever position works for you, your dog needs to stay in that position while your guest enter. To help take the pressure off you, you can ask your guest to wait while you get the leash on your dog. (REMEMBER stay calm and assertive)
If he starts to whine, bark or attempt to jump up entering that four to five foot boundary you create from the door bring him back, correcting him and teaching him to respect that boundaries at the door. Reinforcing his limit and rules that he cannot approach your guest until he is in a calm and submissive state.
After your success using the leash, you can then control him by using you calm and assertive energy getting infront of him at the door and using that energy to move him out of the space by the door. Once your guest enter you can use that same energy to remind him to respect your guest space.
I hope I have explained this info clearly enough for you. I am assuming you have watch Cesar program and listen to him talk about how to use the right energy to influence our dogs behavior.
Sending you positive energy, and best wishes.
Michele
Yeah, what they said!
Thanks for all the help!!!