My 6 month ridgeback jumps up at me and bites my hands and arms and when i put my arms behind my back he still does it ,even biting my stomach,this will last for about 20 secs then he will find something else to do.I've tried to distract him with toys,but that worked for about a week.And i've tried going down to his level,but that's just an open invatation for him to jump on me.He does this about 3-4 times a week which is still to much.
Will he grow out of it?

Sorry, but he won't just "grow" out of it on his own. In fact, the longer you leave it, the larger he gets and the more ingrained this bad habit becomes.
The quickest and easiest way to repair this problem is to seriously let him know that this is unacceptable behavior. You will not tolerate it anymore.

When he jumps up, grab him by the collar, at the same time say "NO" (loudly and firmly), pull him back down to his four feet on ground. "Stay-off" could be used when he starts this. If he persists (very likely), do the same thing again and again and again. Repetition is the name of the game with the youngster. :)

Me personally, I would be training him to "lie-down" and use it when he starts this. Eventually, visitors and other people will be fair game for this same type of behavior. Suprisingly, many do not like big heavy dogs that jump on them, regardless of smiles and tolerant-seeming attitudes :rolleyes: :) :P

Right now, he's viewing you as a big chew toy ---at his convenience too. Bringing your hands back like you are doing, makes this seem fun and playtime. Kind of like "hiding the toy" game :) He's not taking you seriously.

Time to bring down the law and let him know who's "in charge" :rolleyes: You could always start the NILIF program to gain his attention (Nothing in life is free --just do some searches on here for explanations) :)

Since he is a large breed, you should consider no longer letting him jump while playing (until he's much older in his head) just to get him out of the habit.

Have you consulted with his breeder for a possible recommendation for a "school" could be for him? He'll definitely need something soon, so you won't have permanent teeth marks and begin pulling your hair out in frustration. :)
hth a bit,
good luck
toodles

A trick Wolfhound people use when a huge pup tries similar tricks, or insists on jumping up is to use your knee. As the pup begins to jump up at you, bend your leg and bring your knee up towards your chest. I DONT mean that you deliberately knee your dog in the chest,just use your knee as a barrier and say "Down" or whatever word you choose to use.

I have used the same thing with our dogs
Its not done to hurt them but enough so they arent able to do it
I dont mean knee them though :-)

Yep, done that one too, 1/2 sis :D
Most recent was the other day when Hugo the Boxer decided he was very HAPPY to see me :rolleyes: Almost knocked me over with his exuberance :D :D :D Hard to believe that dog is almost six years old :P I have to brace myself for his "love" everytime he sees me :)

Unfortunately his owners believe that using an extend-leash and buckle collar is best for them to control his walkies. If he was an ONLY dog, it wouldn't be so bad, but there are two dogs--one for each arm.
Ever been in an owner/acquaintance + beagle/mix + boxer sandwich wrapped in two extend-leads???? :rolleyes: OUCH :(

Personally, though, because I'm easily got off balance and have a weak leg, I don't like the one leg knee method as much, but it will work just as well in training not to jump :)
toodles

I think we must be proper sisters now toodles :D The triplets have become quads lol That must have hurt getting caught up in that tangle!
How can anyone think that a very bouncy boxer on the end of an expended lead is a good idea? Theres nought as queer as folk as they say :D

Her rationale is that he can't be trusted to run loose through the fields :rolleyes: Although when he escaped one time and ran after my bike, he returned tout de suite when my two "chewed" him out for jumping on them :D :D

I can understand it to a point, but I would use a regular leash walking through our housing area, up the two blocks to the farm road access, then switch him over. The other dog is much calmer, but I cringe when I see her trying to control those silly handles in each hand.

She doesn't know me that well, just from meeting up on the road. Although, I really didn't need to hug her like that last week :rolleyes: But I pretty much withhold my opinion, other than giving an occasional broad hintage. What else is there? ;) :) I'm already too opinionated on here :D
I look at it this way, it gives my two much needed practice on how to be calm and ignore an approaching out of control dog. I know for a fact that he won't turn Cujo and attack us :D :D :D

I don't think anything on the end of an extending lead is a good idea. It may be me but I can get myself in a proper tangle with one and I also have this horror of getting a rope burn if a dog whips round my legs at speed. They are popular around here, but I worry when I see people walking down the pavement with the dog way ahead as I'm sure it could be in the middle of the road by the time they reeled it in
Anne

Forget about "burn" from the cord, the blasted thing can slice into your skin :( I have an inch long scar across my right shin from that nasty attack at Straubing all the way back in June :(
No, I don't like them either. But what can I do about other peoples' choices? (sigh)

They have their place, but that is only 9n the Open away from other people or dogs. For dogs that cannot be trusted off lead they can be the only way to get meaningful excersise.

I think their use unlocked on any public highway should be prohibted!

I could not get on with that lead either a bit like fishing and not always catching . Mari

I know it sounds horrible - it certainly tastes horrible - but we found that a spray bottle of Bitter Apple from the vet soon stopped the problem escalating with our puppy whilst teething. We sprayed it on our arms, and when he wouldn't stop when told no, a short quick spray near his mouth immediately stopped him. After a couple of sprays, he stopped when we said no and showed him the bottle, and very quickly stopped when we just said no. After a few days, we had no problem at all. The bottle is still useful, as I use it on his coat to stop him chewing at cuts, bites etc. You can also spray furniture with it to deter chewing there! No home should be without one :)

I hated doing it at first as it really does taste foul, but it was less cruel to my arms ;)

Hi Jean, That sounds a good idea, and well worth remembering for future problems

Thanks Jean. I've been using Bitter Apple on furniture and fur for yonks, but never thought of using it on me :-). What a good idea!

One of my dogs also used to think it was fun to jump at me.

What I did was to put on a heavy pair of leather ski gloves. When she ran up and jumped at me I caught her front legs gently but firmly and held them up. She thought this was a great game and so did I! I had a happy face and was encouraging her and telling her she was a good girl. After a moment or two she began to try to pull her paws away to get down, so I increased my grip to keep her up still making it a game. I did not hurt her just kept a firm grip. By now she'd had enough and was frantically trying to pull away and biting at my hands in panic (hence the gloves!!!!!) The experience of jumping up at Mum wasn't pleasurable any more and she wanted to get away. When she was beside herself I let her go but was still telling her it was a good game and she was a good girl.
She decided that it wasn't such a good experience to jump up at me again!!!!
The difference is in using a method such as this is that it makes the dog think. I actively 'enjoyed' her jumping up at me, but once she had and I had caught her legs the control had shifted from her to me and she found the 'game', although I was encouraging her, had become a very unpleasant experience and she didn't enjoy it.
She chose not to jump up again because SHE didn't want to - not because I didn't want her to. By encouraging her and keeping it all 'happy' I firmly believe she made no association with any punishment.

Ok, this thread just renewed my determination to get my pup to stop biting me soon. I've tried, guess I just have to be more consistant with my message. My fingers and toes are complaining mightily!