What does everyone else think about this new thing to do with it being a offence for your dog to jump up at someone? I really do think its taking it all a bit far, fair enough if your dog jumps up at someone apologise. Theres alot of young dogs that will occationally see a person and think ok lets go bounce and jump at these people most of these dogs can usually be 99% of the time good at a recall. It seems just some new nonsense to throw at dog owners whats everyone elses opinion on this?

I don't know about it being an offence (who is going to police it?) but my mum has arthritus, and she is always getting knocked over by dogs when she is out walking. They obviously like her, as they just come running straight up and jump, and there she is in absolute agony without anything she can do about it.
I think people should really have control, or have their dog on the lead, ... but we all know that doesn't happen in practice.
I mean, my brother in law has an American Bulldog (massive dog) and he actually taught it to jump up at him to say hello macho thing I think ... so now the dog does it all the time and nearly had my dad over too ... makes me MAD... it just takes a bit of training to teach a dog he gets better rewards for keeping on the ground.

It would help me greatly if members of the general pupblic didn't fuss my puppy when she does jump up.:rolleyes:

We can spend all the hours god sends turning our back on her when she jumps up at us, and only fussing her when she had all four paws firmly on the floor but this goes out the window the second we meet other owners in the park when we're out - people just fuss over her so she jumps up and they carry on. :rolleyes:

It always sounds very churlish of me to say 'actually we're trying to train her to not jump up' and I always get a 'well she's only as puppy!'. It's all very well her being a cute puppy now but what if she does it in 6 months time when a great big wet 32 kilo retriever jumps up at you!

Hi Fluff76,

I had exactly the same problem as you're describing and it's soooo frustrating when you spend ages trying to teach your dog one thing and then other people just totally dissregard what your trying to do by saying 'oh she's only a puppy' or 'I don't mind' as they carry on fussing and reinforce the behaviour.  You just have to be really tough, say it as nicely as possible, but be strong - if people are offended then that's their problem because it's you that has to deal with the problems that this will later cause when like you say you have a big dog jumping all over people, you can guarentee they won't like it then.  I actually found it harder to get it through to people I knew than strangers.  You'll get there in the end though.

Karen

>Theres alot of young dogs that will occationally see a person and think ok lets go bounce and jump at these people most of these dogs can usually be 99% of the time good at a recall. It seems just some new nonsense to throw at dog owners whats everyone elses opinion on this?

I have one such young dog. She's just turned one year old today. At 49kg (nearly 8 stone) she could cause serious injury if she knocked someone over and I shudder to think the damage she could accidentally inflict on a child. Besides, most people (even dog lovers) don't find that having 49kg of fur, teeth and slobber bouncing around them like a demented kangaroo whilst trying to give their ears a good wash enhances their walk in way, shape or form :rolleyes: :P Until I can trust her not to be so hyper around people, she'll stay on lead when other people are around.

I don't think it is the fault of the 'general public'. How are they supposed to know ? If I didn't want my dog fussed by people I won't allow it near enough to people for them to do it :)

Daisy

Some people tend to think that it's quite acceptable and even cute to let small dogs jump up and down on them like demented yo-yos. It isn't. Because it's still a bad habit even if the dog in question is only 7kg. So you have to be consistent about not encouraging it. Having said that, I like having a dog who likes people so I don't discourage fussing although I do discourage the idea that it's OK for them to actually wear the dog. 

I'd be delirious if my dogs rushed up to be fussed by people - but they're not that type :D However, having been mugged frequently by young dogs (usually labradors and covered in mud) that are off lead and not under control, I think that it is down to the owner to prevent the dog rushing up to people in the first place. The human's reaction to the dog (whether good or bad) is then under the dog owner's control :)

Daisy

Hi,

I know it's slightly off topic but our lab as developed a bad habit which relates to jumping up.

A friend of ours brings there dog down to play with our two & the lab knows he as sweets in his pocket, so often jumps up, which I tell her is naughty but he still gives her sweets.

Now the problem she's developed is that just recently she's started jumping up at various people on our walks (looking for sweets).  We/I tell her off & put her back on the lead for a few minutes, hoping she will realise she's been naughty.

Whats the best way to nip it in the bud now?

It would help no end if you were firm with your friend about bringing her sweets. Apart from anything else, sweets have no place in a dog's diet. Plus if she isn't rewarded with pocket treats she will stop associating other people's pockets with similar titbits.

Hi Roz,

OH speaks to him more than me, so when there out at weekend I will get him to ask him to stop giving her sweets.

As a curiousity question, I take a few sweets out in my pocket (which she doesn't jump up at) for when she comes back, I assume these are ok?

Well I know that I've got usually got a pocketful of tasty savoury nibbles which come in useful for all sorts of training purposes and it hasn't caused any jumping problems for me either. But I wouldn't actually feed sweets since they aren't good for dogs.

Hi Sorry Roz,

When I say the sweets, I actual mean dogs treats ie gravy bones, etc.

Sorry I always call them sweets.

>I'd be delirious if my dogs rushed up to be fussed by people - but they're not that type

You and me both Daisy :rolleyes: :D   Mine look at strangers with disdain (and from a distance :D )

The only person that they rush up to is a friend who gives them a treat - but he knows my rules and they know that they have to sit before he gives it to them :)

Daisy

That's a hard one, and I haven't heard anything about it.

If something like this comes into play what exactly would happen, would people be fined, would the dog be on a warning and repeat offenders get what?

My dog is great at recall and I have always been aware that not everyone likes a dog to greet them, having been accosted and jumped at by overfriendly dogs many times myself, I can understand none dog owners perhaps being annoyed, but I think this could cause a lot more dogs being shipped off to rescues, if owners are sued or fined over a dog jumping up at someone where does that leave the dog? Lazy people who don't want to train their dogs will end up with their dogs spending their lives on a lead and never being let off to run free.

Soon people will be too scared to own one. The world needs to loosen up a bit.

I take treats on my walks.. helps with training with recall and stay.  Especially, with so many dogs around.  What i do find is that other dogs are attracted to my treats... lol.  I don't offer their dogs treats, but sometimes, one is snatched from my hand is im not careful.

I fine labradors overwhelming for me.. they are so strong and seem to be prone to jump up at me.  Sometimes they run towards you and before you know it, your breath is taken away.... always with an apologetic owner trailing behind.  I try and lead by some example, keeping my dog in a sit, while they catch up.  I always offer a treat in this case.... which keeps their dog around more.