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October - November, 2007

Q: My dog loves people!  Her idea of greeting someone is jumping on them or smothering them when they walk through the door.  With the Holidays approaching, I will be hosting several gatherings at my home.  I do not want her jumping up on any of my guests.  The good thing is that she only weighs 20 pounds but she is very annoying to my guests nonetheless.  How do I get her to stop annoying people?  Her name is Molly.  She’s a great dog, Please help.

Jodi, Spring Valley

A: I have no doubt Molly is a great dog.  Dogs are very affectionate animals and love unconditionally.  It’s a great feeling to know after a tough day at work you can always count on your four legged friend to be at home waiting to spend time with you.   But it is our responsibility as pet owners to set boundaries, limits and rules so our animals can live in harmony with us in a domesticated world.

There are many factors that can play a hand in why Molly breaks her boundaries when greeting people.  First lets talk about the cute factor.  Dogs get away with so much simply due to how darn cute they are.  Don’t fall for it.  A lightweight dog jumping up on your leg to greet you may seem harmless, but if you give in, you are indirectly teaching the dog that this is an acceptable behavior.  Soon it will become your dog’s favorite game to jump up not only on you, but your guests as well.  It is a natural behavior for a dog to jump and want to be close to people, so it is crucial how we respond to this.   Rather, find the moments when Molly is near you and on all fours to acknowledge and reinforce this acceptable behavior.  On the flip side ignore the jumping up (no reinforcement what so ever).  If needed, use a leash to communicate and contain out of control jumping.

Another good idea is to enroll Molly in obedience classes.  Through obedience, Molly will learn her boundaries with you, your family and guests, in and outside of your home.  So when the Holidays approach not only will you be thankful for a great dinner, but a well-mannered Molly as well!!!

Invest in your dog at an early age.  The outcome will be priceless.