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Dear Yvette,

We saw a trainer for a problem with jumping at the door. Following the trainer's suggestion, we have been popping the leash to get the dog's attention, asking for a sit and praising as soon as the dog does so. Our dog has learned that jumping makes bad things happen and not jumping brings good things and he seems to be jumping less. However, we have run into a bit more of a challenge. Now our dog is mouthing people's hands, biting the leash or jumping on people's backs and biting feet once in a while. How can we stop these annoying behaviors? We are concerned that our dog might be turning aggressive.

Jamie

There is an expression that I believe was coined by Bob Bailey that goes something like, “Pavlov is always on your shoulder.”

Most people know if you give a dog something good for sitting, chances are that the dog will sit more. You reinforce the behavior. If you do something the dog finds unpleasant, like a leash pop for jumping, jumping should decrease. One part people forget about is Pavlov. Dogs can quickly make associations. Normal things can take on meaning – just like Pavlov's bell made dogs salivate in anticipation of food. It can also work the other way. Dogs can learn to fear normal things. Problems can also develop when the intelligence of the dog is underestimated.

Before using a technique, it can be helpful to ask, “Are there any potential side effects to what I am planning to do?”

In your scenario, it is absolutely possible that your dog would learn not to jump on visitors. Your dog could also learn other things. Some common examples are:

1) If you jump on people's backs, people cannot get you quick enough. When you sit you get praised. Jumping on people's backs means you get all the love and none of the correction. (Smart dog)

2) When a leash pop is coming, people move their arms. If you mouth their arms, the pop does not happen. Control the arm – control the human. (Smart dog)

3) The pop only comes when the dog is on a leash. If you bite at the leash, you can prevent the pop. If you're really good, you might even be able to break free. (Smart dog)

4) When people come to the door, bad things happen. People at the door are to be feared. Scare them away. (Pavlov)

5) Misbehave so your humans will tell you to sit. Aren't humans so biddable? Then you can obey and eat up the love. (Brilliant dog)

6) The only time you get corrected is when mom or dad is around, so mom and dad are to be feared, avoided or bitten. (Pavlov)

7) All this wrestling at the door is fun! Wow! Humans can be fun. (Body strong dog that enjoys physical play)

The sheer irony is that your dog is probably more in control of you now than ever before. Your dog probably has trained you to ask for a sit and give attention.

Since you cannot erase what your dog has already learned, you have the task of starting from scratch – but with baggage.

Yvette is an award winning pet writer and pet behavior columnist. She also is the author of Meeting Milo, a North American dog bite prevention program to reduce the approximately 2 million children bit by dogs annually. She is the owner of AwesomeDogs.ca and works as a behavior consultant in London, Ontario.

This column was originally featured in The Londoner
See more of Yvette... www.awesomedogs.ca
www.meetingmilo.com

Yvette has 2 dogs of her own, KIKI and KAYA. Take a look...

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