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Why Does My Dog Keep Jumping on People?
• GUITAR • ELECTRIC BASS • VOICE • PIANO • VIOLIN
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by Jason Robbins —Resident Submission
Does your dog incessantly jump on people when they come through your door? How do you get it to stop? At the root of the issue, we’ve got to keep in mind that dogs are pack animals. When someone else comes into their territory, or their pack, it is only natural they will have an explosion of questions in their mind: who is this person, what authority do they have to walk right into our space, are they strong or weak, is this a long-term or short-term stay, will they improve the pack, or drag it down, where do I fit into this new dynamic? All these questions lead to one big adrenaline rush. When we humans get an adrenaline rush, we usually handle it by burning it off (going running, or exercising) or calming it down (listening to music to get into the right state of mind). Dogs must be trained to handle their adrenaline rush. We all know the scenario. There’s a knock or ring at the door. Your dog starts barking and rushes to the door. A battle ensues as you try to open the door and pull the dog back while they push forward. You might be yelling “stop!” This commotion only adds to the adrenaline rush your dog is experiencing, making the situation worse. We want to diffuse the adrenaline rush. There are some methods to manage the situation better. If you know someone is coming over soon, put the dog in the kennel to avoid the crazy scuffle. Or, use a doggie gate to keep them from reaching the front door. These methods are a good way to start solving the problem, but they don’t really change the behavior. To change your dog’s behavior, the process is to teach impulse control in a variety of ways that add up to change the chemical makeup of your pet. Enforce boundaries by teaching your dog a place-command, such as a down-stay, or a sit-stay. Teach them to heel, or wait at the door. Over time, these impulse control commands will transform your dog. Even adult dogs can change their behavior. It is possible to have the doorbell ring, and have your dog simply go over and lay down on their appointed spot. Find tutorials online to start implementing them with your pet, or take them to a trainer.
#mycommunityspanishfork
May 2022
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