Dear Dogfather,
My husband and I are enjoying your dog column. We have a question and need your advice, and perhaps a visit by you with our cockapoo Mr. Z. Z is 6 years old. We’ve had him since he was a newborn. He is a very enthusiastic, spirited dog, and we love him, but we have not been successful in training him not to greet folks by jumping (though we’ve used leash and treats, greeted newcomers outside the house, etc.). He obeys our commands pretty consistently, but can’t contain his “enthusiasm” with others, especially when first greeting them. That has been a big problem with toddler-age grandkids, whom he simply bowls over. (He also scares easily, and will growl at times when frightened, especially when someone he does not know enters the house.) As a result, we have been placing him with a friend when the grandkids are here at our home. Would you be willing to advise/help us?
Lady E
Dear Lady E,
In my experience, trying to teach people how to stop their dog from jumping by written instruction is like trying to learn karate from a book. Rarely works. Mr. Z needs to learn what I refer to as the door-turmoil routine, which is one of the most basic, yet one of the most difficult lessons for any dog to learn. A real foundation of obedience training has to be established before there’s any chance of Z cooperating at the door.
After six years, his unwanted “enthusiastic” greetings have become habituated. Dogs are strong creatures of habit, and what you refer to as “enthusiasm” is territorial instinct, one of the key reasons for human-dog bonding thousands of years ago. It’s why you’re unlikely to stick your head into an open car window if there’s a dog in the car, or, uninvited by an owner, to walk into a house with a dog barking behind the door. More important, placing Z with a friend to avoid door issues is counterproductive, probably exacerbating Z’s issues at the door, although I understand how it makes things easier for you. Training requires addressing issues.
I’m also concerned with his growling at strangers, because growling is a precursor to a bite, and I’ve never seen aggression diminish on its own. When a dog growls at someone and that person flinches, the dog just learned, “That works!” Not a great lesson for a dog to learn. Lady E, I appreciate that you tried correcting the poor door manners “using leash and treats, and greeting newcomers outside the house,” but I think it’s time for a visit from a pro to really enhance your quality of life with Z.
Good luck,
The Dogfather
