We are being driven to distraction as whenever there is a dog, a small child, a cat, a football match, just about anything that moves - he jumps at the TV.  We've shouted at him, sent him out of the room, thrown things onto the floor, even smacked him : ( him, but nothing stops him from jumping at the TV.  Any ideas?

Also, if I leave my slippers on the floor, he will take one and "guard" it.  If we try to take it from him he won't let go. 

Help!!

What breed is *he* and how old is he?

sounds like good old excitment, the differance between dogs and kids is kids cant walk so they cant just at the telly the first time they see it. its just socialising if you ask me,  that or he is trying to get you attention because ovbiousely your not concentrating on him when your watching tv, try putting him near you and stroking him while you watch tv to re assure him everything is ok

I'd say attention seeking too, our girl does it with things she likes too. She will walk past me with one of my shoes in her mouth to catch my eye or would you believe barks when the kettle boils?? :D (I used to give her treats that were in a container at the side of the kettle, whenever i made a cup 'o' tea).
I generally ignore her, she soon gets fed up or i give her one of her toys if she is being persistent.
Sarah

Just reminded me bruno likes watching 101 dalmations   try putting something on that the dog is interested in, Bruno likes kiddy programs like fimbles etc  this is a good habbit if the dog enjoys watching tv then he wont bother you while you watch it .. well thats my thinking at least.  ofcourse watching tv doesnt replace playing training and walkies

Please do not shout at your dog or smack him; he does not understand what it is that is upsetting you and therefore it is unfair to "punish" him.  Imagine how you would feel if you went on holiday abroad in a country where you did not speak the language and were shouted at every time you crossed your legs because this habit is seen as extremely rude.  No one told you so how did you know; how confused and upset would you feel at being shouted at?

If you throw things on to the floor this may either frighten him or he may think that this is a game.  Has he been adequately physically and mentally stimulated before you sit down to watch the tv so that his body and mind want to rest?

Instead of taking something from the dog, when he has something "forbidden" swap it for something more interesting like a piece of cheese etc.  This will also get him used to giving something dangerous up and not "guard"

HTH

Thanks all for your replies.

Tetley is a Parson Russell Terrier and is 4 years old.  He sits with us watching TV quite calming until a dog, football, etc comes onto the screen and then he starts barking and makes a dash for the TV - he will if there is one around grab a toy on the way! 

Tohme - I understand what you mean about shouting at him, but we've tried everything else we can think of (we've put things in front of the TV so he can't get within a foot of it but still he has a go!) and unfortunately we are now rather frustrated as the TV is covered in scratches! :( 

So far as "guarding" my slipper is concerned ... yes, I think you are probably right that it could be attention seeking - however, he does it at the oddest times - he can be sitting having a cuddle with either my husband and I and the other walks into the room and he dives for it and won't give it up (strangely he doesn't bother with hubby's trainers!)!  We try bribing him to get the slipper back but that doesn't work.

Certainly with the slipper I think its a case of just remembering to put them out of his reach!

I would keep a light lead on him so that you can stop him from running to the TV.  this is similar to the excitement a dog gets from watching for visitors and dashing barking for the back gate/front door.  He gets on an anticipation high.  If when you stop him with the lead he starts barking or carrying on, then evicrt him from the room.  When he is quiet allow him back, as soon as he gets wound up, catch the lead and restrain (evict if necesary).

I had a similar problem with my first dog getting excited by my neighbour who she liked.  It got to the stage where she would run up and down the fence screaming when she heard the click of hjis backdoor opening.

I partitioned my garden (giving ehr less fence to run along) and kept a lead on her. If she ranout to jump and scream at the fence I grabbed the lead,and got her down, giving command of quiet (in a firm but quiet voice), and praised quietly, and made her go in doors.  Eventually she twigged that everytime she barked I weould put her indoors again.  I would then stand at the closed door with her eager to go out again, saying now quiet, and let her out, if she looked like doing it again I would say quiet, and if she didn't listen in she went again.  In the end she went from screaming to just jumping up to look for him, but with me continuing the quiet off! she stopped doing it.  Took a fair while.