[efletcher]

This is the first time I've ever posted in a forum so please bear with me if this topic already exists or I'm doing something wrong

My baby Jax is 7 months old, he's a staffy X (mum is a staffy X german shepherd and dad is a staffy X blueheeler). He's probably the most loving and hyperactive dog i've ever seen but I love his energy and wouldn't change it for the world!

The main problem with Jax is JUMPING! He lives at my partners house (he's our dog, but we don't live together). He rarely jumps on anyone else unless they're playing with him and have a toy in their hand or something, and he's very obedient for my partner. The minute I show up the house he goes nuts, making the stereotypical staffy cry/whinge/howl from the gate, and jumps all over me. This jumping doesn't stop regardless of how long I stay, it does reduce the longer i'm around him but as soon as he remembers i'm there he'll jump again!

This jumping has been consistent from puppy age (I never encouraged it or rewarded him for jumping either) so I've had enough time to try the usual; back turned, ignoring him, distracting with 'sit' command then reward with a treat upon 5 seconds of sitting, saying 'nu uh!' in the deepest manliest voice I can muster.. none of it seems to work! He's reached the size where, if i haven't braced myself he'll knock me over.

Upon some research, I've come to the conclusion that it's either a dominance thing - he thinks he's above me in the 'ranks' of our pack, or he's just simply excited to see me, and knows who I am and that i'm going to give him attention.

Does anyone have any advice or experience of a similar behaviour? I know staffy X cattledog is probably the perfect combo for doggy ADD, but i'm hoping this behaviour can be sorted! I'm currently a uni student (as is my partner) so obedience training is financially not desirable, although i'm willing to do it when I finish my studies in October.

Many thanks, and sorry for rambling!

 

[amaryllis]

Dominance isn't a thing in dogs. It's all about the dog doing what he can to get what he wants.

In this case, it's a attention. Look at all the things you do when he jumps- you turn, you talk, you give commands. To a dog, that's awesome!

I'd work this two ways. 1) really firm up his sit command. Practice constantly and in all situations until it's entirely automatic. His butt should be hitting the floor before he even realizes you've said "sit". Treat heavily for sitting, it should be super rewarding. Require sitting in all sorts of situations, from receiving dinner to before going on walks, at street corners, etc.

ETA: Once the sit is automatic, you can use it when you enter the house.

2. Have your partner leash (with a harness) him or put him in a crate or behind a gate before you come over. He's been practicing for a while, you need to break the habit. Do not use the leash to punish or hurt. Just to keep him away from you.

Enter and pay him no mind at all. Do all your entering the house stuff (removing shoes, etc.) then go sit down and wait for him to calm down. Then call him over and greet him. He'll learn that greetings do not involve jumping, they are calm events that happen when he's calm.

This all takes time, but it will work. He's just super happy to see you and needs to learn a new way to express that.

 

[efletcher]

Thankyou so much for your advice I was sceptical about the 'dominance' theory that kept popping up on obedience sites, it seemed like a kind of pessimistic explanation!

I think alot of the super excitement is because most of the time when I come over, we take him to the beach or somewhere fun so he sees me and is thinking "omgomgomg it's car time yay!!" haha.

I'm going to put your points into action when I go to the house tomorrow, hopefully with some hard work and perseverence i'll be able to walk into the yard without being smothered with licks and jumping!

 

[Dawnben]

This may also help.

Sounds like it is just excitement at seeing his fun friend. My hound is like that with my cousin every time he comes he just howls with joy.