This…except with a mud puddle underneath :)
Welcome to March! March waffles between two dog seasons: the snowy season (preferred by most) and the dreaded muddy season (where those of us without a mud room seriously rethink our life choices.
YAAAAS!!!!!!!! This picture of a dog racing through the mud makes me cheer!
The two biggest issues in muddy season are dogs who jump up on people and dogs who run away from us before their paws have been wiped. We’re going to focus on the first one this week and tackle the runaways next week.
You’re lookin’ at ‘em right now, aren’t you? The six pairs of pants in your closet that used to be for work, all downgraded by your pooch. Too bad paw prints and brown stripes are so last season.
What? You didn’t want paw prints on your pants? Weird.
It’s worse when it’s not your pants, but the pants of an unsuspecting woman on her way to work, too busy checking her phone to notice your cute puppy until BOOP (puppy feet arrive on her left leg just above the knee.) Or BOOPITY-BOOP-BOOP (from the very excited Golden Retriever’s paws), or the BEEPITY-BEEP-BEEEEEEEEEP (from the Bichon Frisé paws.) Most people are very forgiving with puppies when they jump up. Most will even pet them, rewarding them for their fancy brown artwork. This throws your world off-kilter, because now your puppy thinks that jumping on people gets them LOVE and cuddles. This sets your puppy up for failure later on, because the SAME people who thought it was cute that your puppy jumped up on them, will give you THAT LOOK six months later when your puppy is no longer tiny.
Never fear! We’re going to nip this in the bud. Here’s TWO things that will clear up the communication between you and your puppy making your relationship SOAR while keeping four-on-the-floor!
Am I doin’ it?
LANGUAGE! This is BEYOND important. When faced with a puppy who is jumping on them, almost every new client of mine pushes their puppy gently back into four-on-the-floor position and says DOWN. It sounds like “Down. Down. Sorry! Down. Ugh! I don’t know why she isn’t getting it. Sorry! Down! Get down!”
Here’s the trick I teach them: Use “DOWN” for lie down and “OFF” for get-those-muddy-feet-back-on-the-floor.
When you use clear communication with your dog, you get faster results!
2. GUEST MANAGEMENT: This applies to ANYONE who wants to pet your puppy, whether they have been invited into your home or they are strangers on the street.
STRANGER: “Awwwwww!!!! Can I pet your puppy???”
YOU: “Sure! My puppy is in training. Could you please wait until she is calm and has all four feet on the ground before you pet her?Thanks!”
STRANGER: “I don’t mind if she jumps on me at all. I have seventeen huskies at home and they all jump on me every single day and I love it. So do my kids.” <Note: This is what we’re workin’ with people. This is based on a true story, in which the person asking to pet Magic had her itty-bitty toddler in an itty-bitty stroller and only one husky at home. You get the idea.>
YOU: “I have aging parents and when my dog is full grown, she will weight 125 pounds. I have to be very careful what she learns so that when she’s an adult, she doesn’t knock anyone over.” Smile.
STRANGER: Lightbulb moment. Crouches down and pets your dog who is sitting politely.
YOU: “Thank you so much for helping us out today. I really appreciate you taking the time to help teach her nice manners.”
STRANGER: “No. Thank you!! She’s so fuzzy!!!!!”
No one’s feelings need to be hurt. Remember: You are your puppy’s guardian. It’s your job to help them navigate the human world. Speak up.
Be consistent when training your puppy or new rescue dog.
Pro Tip: The EASIEST way to teach your puppy to keep four-on-the-floor is to praise them every time they get it correct and to NEVER allow anyone to reward them for jumping up on people. EVER.
Happy Training, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa
Photo by: Ron Fung (cover photo of dog jumping,) Nathalie SPEHNER (muddy dog in water,) Aubrey Rose Odom (muddy jeans,) Rhiannon Elliott (black dog with his foot on a pantleg,) Luke Jones (dog wearing a harness and sitting,) Overture Creations (lab X sitting,) Daniel Lincoln (petting dog under its chin.)