Dog Community

Advice on a new behavior

Posted : 7/13/2009 3:50:48 PM

We've just enrolled Dexter in an obedience class - just started Saturday - so this is something I'll definitely bring up to the trainer. But I thought I'd see if anyone on the board has had a similar problem with their pooch.

Dexter absolutely loves children - he was raised from a pup with two little ones. He's always very patient and calm around them, whether it's one child or five. He doesn't jump up or lick their faces and he loves the attention. There have been three instances over the past few weeks where he was being petted by some kids with the adult standing off to the side. Each time the adult checked with me before letting the kids pet Dex. When the adults moved in closer, Dexter would go up to them , they would pet him, then he would try to jump up on them. My first instinct was to tell him "off" and move him away. He then barks at the adults and of course, that scares the kids. My husband thinks that by pulling his leash, I may be setting off the behavior and I think I agree. However, each time the adult looked terrified when Dexter jumped up, so I wasn't sure how to handle it. When it happens, it's almost as if he doesn't want the adults near the kids. Could he be trying to protect the kids from the adults? Or, you'll note that I mentioned that he loves the attention - Could it be that he doesn't want the adults to interfere with the attention he's getting from the kids?

I'd appreciate any opinions or suggestions. As I said, I'll go over this with the trainer. Until we get a handle on this, I won't let any kids pet him while on our walks.

Almost forgot - Dexter is a Golden Retriever/Great Pyrenees mix. He just turned 2 on June 1. We've had him since he was 11 months old.

tiffy

Posted : 7/13/2009 7:29:14 PM

Pyrs are a guardian breed, so this is probably a factor.

JackieG

Posted : 7/13/2009 7:32:18 PM

Does he attempt to jump on strangers who pet him in other circumstances? When no children are involved?

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/13/2009 7:32:19 PM

Pyrs ARE herders and so any body or any THING that comes within the realm of his influence is gonna be "herded" to a degree and yes, he'd feel at least territorial over kids he was getting attention FROM.

So be **MORE** proactive. The next time this occurs -- and I'd make darned sure it DID occur, and I'd make sure it was SET UP with people who knew the behavior, knew what I was trying to defuse and how I intended to do it -- you do NOT want to risk him getting even the slightest BIT of reinforcement on this -- but the next time I'd move in IMMEDIATELY when *they* move YOU move and speak as you move (with him on leash absolutely) and command him to "sit" **IMMEDIATELY**

He does what he does NOT want to there (he wants to move TO the adults) but you keep a tight grip on the leash, be commanding and no-nonsense and reinforce that sit (and I would tell the humans to "stand still please";).

But get him into that sit **immediately** AND *THEN* ask the human to come forward and greet Dexter while he is STILL sitting. But have him completely under your 100% control - in a sit, paws on the ground when he accepts petting from the humans. THEN you can tell him how wonderfully awesome he is, but don't release him from the "sit" until THEY back up to their original place.

It is **very** difficult in a social situation to command not only your dog but the OTHER *humans* as well. But you GOTTA. You gotta get control and *keep* control. Why? Because he's figured out that when he jumps up **THEY RETREAT**. It's self-rewarding just like a dog who chases cars -- they bark and "chase" and the car runs away!! WOW it worked!!!!

This works. He's getting pretty much what he wants. He wants the adults to retreat -- but it probably also calls a halt to the petting (which is a negative that he blames on the humans who retreated probably).

I'd set him up repeatedly!! This has already been self-rewarded several times and it will be a difficult pattern to break otherwise.

We do this ALL THE TIME in pet therapy. And being 100% watchful -- you can not let a dog move forward and 'greet' kids and then have the adults move in and the dog successfully gets the adults to 'retreat'. You're out of control and that doesn't work -- am I making sense???

GoldenPyr

Posted : 7/14/2009 9:45:02 AM

Thanks for the advice, Callie - it's definitely something I'm going to work on with him. He is very smart and does catch on quickly so hopefully, by being consistent with him on this, we can change this behavior. I kind of felt that that's what was going on but wasn't sure the best way to correct it.

I feel confident about being able to control him, which I think is half the battle; but you're right about the other *humans*. You never know how some people are going to react. I actually had someone tell me to step on his back paws when he jumps and a sweet looking elderly lady told me she used to correct her dog with a plastic baseball bat!

calliecritturs

Posted : 7/14/2009 10:42:33 PM

GoldenPyr
but you're right about the other *humans*. You never know how some people are going to react.

Honestly, I think for ME the ***HARDEST*** thing is opening my mouth and saying something I think *I* might think was unkind or pushy if I heard it. "Mr. Schmuckatella -- PLEASE freeze right where you are and let me put him in a 'sit' before you approach. This is a training thing and I want to make sure *I* have total control here, ok? Thanks!"

It is SO HARD to open your mouth when you think others might misunderstand or blow you off -- and cultivating that "stern but kind" tone of voice? Oyyyyyyyyy -- it's hard. But 99% of this is totally dependant on you and the LEASH and your dog.

and ... fwiw -- we have a commmand "4 on the Floor!" -- that means no jumping up. But it SOUNDS so much better than "NO JUMPING".