Hi hoping someone can give a bit of advice !
We have just given a home to a 9 month old labrador pup that was stuck in a rescue kennel because her owner couldnt stay sober !!

Problem is is that she has formed a strong bond with myself in a short space of time and gets so excited that she cannot stop jumping aroung wildly !!
I am being very careful not to wave hands around to much as she is very jand shy and you also cannot raise your voice above a certain level as she wets herself with fear (presumably).
So question is how do i stop her jumping ?? and i need an answer as quick as possible as i am not sure how many more claw marks my back can take.
thanks in advance.

Hi i'd suggest training her to sit when she welcomes you, so you are not to pat her until she sits quietly.  Get some nice treats what she loves to eat and train her to sit if you haven't.  Then when she will sit, go outside come back in and when she jumps up and down all over you tell her to sit, if she does give her a pat and a treat straight away.  You'll have to be patient and constistent so she learns.  pratice it a few times a day until she gets the hang of it.  I hope this helps but you'll get out what you put in.

Warmest regards Susan

Hi susan
thanks for the reply.
I hope to get alot out of her and do not mind putting in the hard work as i believe she will be worth it.
I was just wondering if i was going about things the right way as i would hate to confuse her or make a situation worse for her, up to now i have owned a mix of dogs pedigree and rescue but she is the first that has been mis treated and i want to do the right thing by her.
thanks
Donna

Hi Bazndon, I can fully sympathise with you, I too have just taken one which sounds textbook to yours.  You will have to put up with the pain for a little while, but it will eventually stop. I use the word eventually quite loosely) ;)  She is desperate for attention and this is the only way she knows how. She will have never been in company long enough to know that this is not the only way.  Have patience with her and be very consistant.

I stand very still with dog bouncing at me, I ignore completely, after a few bounces she rests before pouncing again.  It is at this point (rest) I immediatly turn to her, hand down onto her chest under throat for a good rub, (NOT on her head, this is more than likely where she was hit to begin with) at the same time softly saying goooood girl, whoooos a good girl then, or stupid words to that effect :P Any words spoken in a soft gentle calming voice is soothing.  While gently rubbing her chest, I move my other hand to her head and gently massage, then down back of neck.  Keeping this hand on her I take my other hand from her chest and gently massage her shoulders, slowly one hand goes down full lenght of back, other hand follows.  Always keeping one hand on dog while the other comes back up to the head to start again.  after a few minutes of this she is calm.  BUT  immediately I stop and take my attention from her, she bounces again.  I Ignore and walk away.  She is now slowly learning that bounces makes me leave, calm gets her loads of massage and cuddles.  Still a long way to go, but it is working

I do hope you find that giving her loads of love and comfort she will become a true and loving companion, she deserves it.  And good for you for giving her the chance she so deserves. Well done

thanks Kayc for the reply, that sounds promising.
Up to now i have been ignoring her and standing very still (hence the claw maks !!) and asking her to sit, praising her if and when she does, part of the difficulty is that she doesnt know sit or how to do it. I am doing small regular training sessions with her but until we master sit i think ill have to allow the jumping and persevere.

Another quick qusetion for you, she has no interest in toys or games or playing so i assume she has never been taught, how can i start to teach her, my GSD loves nothing more than a good game, but she just watches without so much as a tail wag !!, my partner and i have been trying to involve her and have tried to tempt her with stuffed kongs and all kind of fun looking toys, i have even been seen rolling round in the garden with them !! but she has absolutly no interest in any of it and it breaks my heart that a 9 month old dog has no idea how to play!!

thanks again

>Another quick qusetion for you, she has no interest in toys or games or playing so i assume she has never been taught, how can i start to teach her, my GSD loves nothing more than a good game, but she just watches without so much as a tail wag !!,

Its more than likely that anything which has been lifted and thrown, had been thrown AT her not for her, she is more likely to fear balls than see them a source of fun or games.  At this point, gaining her trust is more important.  Lifting balls or other items while she is calm and you are talking to her, simply place the ball or whatever on the ground by her feet and ignore it, she will in time learn that it is not going to hurt her, or even you for that matter.  She may see a ball as an instrument of pain, (have you ever been hit by a ball at full pelt, it hurts like hell)  In time with loads of love and understanding she may occassionaly forget the past and play, but dont be surprised, when she suddenly remembers and the play stops. dont expect too much too soon, it sounds as though this girl has been through a really crap time in her short life.  Allow her to adjust and learn to trust again.  Baby steps ;)

Thanks again for the advice,
sounds like i have a way to travel with her yet.
thanks for the reassurance, she doesnt seem fearful of the flying disc, kongs and other toys my GSD has but she had no knowledge of what they are !!
I will take it slowly with her and see how she progresses with toys, i hope in time she can get as much enjoyment from them as my boy does !!.
I must admit neither myself or the rescue center realised the extent of her problems until i got her home, it is like going back to a 8 week old puppy !! but worse cos she is so timid and scared of everything.
ill keep you posted and if you have any more advice it will be gratefully recieved.
thanks
donna

my dog used to go berserk when i got in, i ignored him till he sat and then stroked him briefly. Now I have trouble rousing him when i get in!!! just let a little tail flick then rolls over for a belly rub.

My GSD has always been ignored on entrance and he knows not to expect it, the difference with my new girl is that i only have to go pee and she thinks that ive left the country !! at nine months old she isnt the smallest creature to be hurling herself at me full pelt and she has the grace of a baby rhino !! when we taught the GSD he was a baby and even now if he does come up onto his back legs on request he does it like a ballarina....