Jumping up and biting

JAM · 01-31-2010, 10:08 PM

I was looking for some advice,
My dog Beuford sometimes when he gets hyper and we are outside running around, or if i call him and just stand there.. he will jump up and 'bite' my arm.
It doesnt really bug me, its just annoying !
I do try to discourage it to the best of my ability but im not exactly sure what to do, usually i will just push him down if he is in mid jump and tell him 'no'

But im looking for other things that might help also ?
So any advice?

He is a rather mouthy dog, and does like to chew things... So it isnt nothing normal, but he doesnt have any kind of aggression. He is a completely friendly dog and an absolute cuddlebug.
He just gets abit hyper

**fawkese1** · 01-31-2010, 10:13 PM

usually the best thing to do is to cross your arms and turn your back to him... every single time he does this... if he still continues and you are doing this every single time, then walk away from him... eventually he will learn that his bahavior= you disappearing....

JAM · 01-31-2010, 10:15 PM

Thank you, i have done crossing my arms and that does seem to help, but never thought of Turning around or walking away...

He does love attention, so thank you

I find the walking away, abit hard to do considering if we are outside and he is on the leash .... but we do live on alot of acrege, so that maynot... be an issue depending

**fawkese1** · 01-31-2010, 10:19 PM

practice in smaller areas...and if he is knows sit, you can teach him to sit before you'll give him attention too, he can't sit and jump up at the same time

JAM · 01-31-2010, 10:20 PM

haha very true

Thank you Fawkese

**Criosphynx** · 02-01-2010, 01:05 AM

have you tried making a high pitched "ouch" and acting like it hurts...som' dogs pick up on that really well...

I second Fawkese's advice too.

elisabeth · 02-01-2010, 01:10 AM

The only thing with yelling out, especially if it is in a high pitched tone, is that some dogs get even more excited. Especially if owners use same tones and pitches in play.

When you are pushing him down, you are actually engaging him. You are reinforcing this behaviour by giving it attention and positive associations (touch).

I would cross my hands or put them behind my back and turn my whole body away from the dog. If he jumps on you, take a side step and turn around again.

No eye contact, no talking, no touching, nothing. Ignore it.

When all 4 feet are on the ground PRAISE and/or treat!

As for the biting, this sounds like play. I would redirect to a toy. It sounds like you have one happy boy who wants to play with you (YAY - that's a good thing) and now it's your responsibility to teach him to do that properly.

Brittany · 02-01-2010, 07:48 AM

Great advice here. My dog Kimber does the same thing. I think he is just trying to say Hey come and play with me. We tried crossing are arms and standing there which does work sometimes but walking away has worked the best. I used the "Ow" method too and works for me.

JAM · 02-01-2010, 08:25 AM

Thank you everyone, great advice and suggestions

I will have to give it a try today.. if he gets hyper and i can find him a new toy ball at the store.. and the weather gets warmer. Its freezing out here.

Karebear · 02-09-2010, 09:54 AM

I was glad to see this thread because I seem to have the same problem with my bichon/shihtzu cross. Since he is small, and still a puppy mind you, but he jumps up and his sharp little baby fangs nip my thighs! Darn it hurts. I know that it's not out of aggression, it's usually when he sees me if I'm coming home from work or he is trying to get my attention... the crossing arms technique works for me too. I stand straight, cross my arms in front of me, and look up to the ceiling... and it works! Every time! maybe he thinks I have turned into a statue? LOL and then I just turn and walk away, no eye contact, nothing. And then he calms down. So.. I agree, consistency is key, he still does it when I come home and I still play "statue".. eventually he will learn that he gets the attention when he's calm.