Toby is 8mths now, when visitors call (even people he Knows) Toby goes loopy ie: jumping up at them, nearly knocking them over, and play biting, he does'nt hurt them (or doesnt mean to hurt) but if people dont Know him it can be quite frightening to them and quite embarrassing for us, :o he is like this for maybe 15/20 mins then he calms down and usually ignores them and goes tosleep because he's worn himself out, :rolleyes:
any suggestions would be much appreciated :-)

Hi there,
This is so common!
Have you heard of the 5 minute rule? Every time you are seperated from your dog, you have to ignore him for 5 minutes (that includes no eye contact). Then you call him to you for the attention (you decide when he gets the attention not him). Your whole family needs to do this, plus you need to get any visitors to do this too. BE VERY STRICT. If Toby still does this, go up to him, without saying anything or giving eye contact and take hold of his collar, then go and sit down with him. Don't let him go until he's calm. Keep repeating this until he's behaving himself. He will learn that he'll get no attention unless he's calm and has been called over. Give it a try, It does work!!

Good luck,
Sarah.

Hi Sarah,
I do usually hold him by the collar and sit with him, but when i let him go he starts jumping, however i think where im going wrong is i actually try and get his attention and try and get eye contact, thankyou for advice i will try this and tell the family also,
thanks Heidi

Another one is you can put him on a leash and the minute he goes to jump up or even think about it step on the leash, this way he corrects himself, then put him in a down wait a bit an alot of praise. Set it up have some one go out and ring the door bell, put him in a down before answering it and have someone at the other end of the leash to enforce his down and make him stay till you decide to release him. Do this through out the day so he will learn no matter if company comes that he has to go in a down when someone is at the door.

Heck I'm still working on this one with my dogs. Once company is in and they are ready to leave I can get them all in a down then, just have to work on when they first get here...lol they have it backwards :D

ttfn :)

Hi

I'm with Sarah on this - you need to totally ignore him - no eye contact , physically turn your head away form him , fold your arms and turn your back on him if necessary. We found this really effective - the response from the dog is almost immediate - but it does require you to be strict and consistent with your own behaviour and do it every time. We had a bouncing Rhodesian Ridgeback - so it was crucial to correct this behaviour!!

With visitors ( who are not always good at ignoring your dog! depsite your requests - even putting hands put to push the dog away can send the wrong message) we found installing a baby gate and clicker training helped - the gate so that the dog can see who enters, but can't self reward by jumping up or making contact with the visitor, until the visitor and you are ready, and the clicker so you can get in quick to 'mark' the behaviour you liked . Once the dog is calm and has all four feet on the ground we 'click' and treat.

Give it a go - it will work if you are consistent

Nikki