I was reading The Theory of correction and the part about what is pack behavior. I come to this part and it go me thinking.

Quote "1- When a dog jumps up and/or humps your leg, that’s a pack behavior."

I understand the humping part, but I think the jumps up part is talking about when the dog jumps up and put it feet on your chest - or does this mean that when it is laying down and you walk by it jumps up on its feet?

One of my female GSD tries often to jump up on me - which I correct for due to the fact that I don't like this behavior as it gets my clothing dirty and so forth. I never thought of this as pack behavior since I though she just wanted attention. This female is very loving and very easy going - definitely not what you would think of as her a pack leader.

If it is talking about jumping up on it feet from a laying position, then I can see how this is pack behavior.

Can Mr Frawley or someone clarify this for me.

Thanks,

Stacy,


It is the jumping up on you part, not the jumping up from a laying position. Dogs that tend to jump on you don't respect who they are jumping on, though in sport work the dog is supposed to feel comfortable enough to jump on a person. I had a malinois that was taught not to jump up on people, when he was being retrained for police work this was one of the things that needed to be untrained (or trained, whichever way you look at it). Dogs that nudge for attention are showing dominant behavior to some extent. To stop a dog from jumping on you, the easiest thing to do is put your hand in front of their head and say no, most dogs don't want to bang their head into anything. I know of other people who would put there knee up when a dog jumps up at them, not the nicest of ways but it works for some. Sometimes if you ignore the dog entirely (turn your back to them)it will not jump up on you.

Kimberly

Kimberly is correct. I'll also suggest an e collar as being an effective tool in stopping jumping...provided the dog is not a young pup and the dog already KNOWS jumping up is no-no but is being mule-headed about obeying your "OFF" command. I had great success using the e collar, first at home, then with friends and co-workers.

I don't know if the experienced trainers here would agree with this but it DID work and it didn't negatively affect the way my dog meets and interacts with people.

Is this jumping up always a sign of a lack of respect or pack drive as it applies to challenging the pack leader. It just doesn't seem that way with this Shepherd, she seem to be only seeking attention. I will give some more thought to this matter - it could be that I have just never thought of it in this way.
Thanks for the comments.

I'm guessing it would depend on the dog what was motivating the jump. In a dominant dog a jump up could/would be a challenge to the person's rank or leadership...perhaps followed by a knock down and a bite or fight. With a dog like yours (and mine) it seems more like a "so happy to see you" affectionate response.

Whatever the motivation behind the jump I consider it disrespectful behavior... period...and not something to encourage or allow. In my very limited experience with my dog I've seen how allowing one disrespectful behavior so quickly opens the door to other unwanted, disrespectful behaviors. A person could easily end up with one big problem if they aren't paying attention to all the small stuff.

That is a very good point. I do think it is a "so happy to see you" affectionate response." But, I can see how this can lead to other behavior problems also. For instance, I was walking to the puppy hutch the other day (just had 11 pups) and she knocked the bowl out of my hand. I did not think much about it at the time - except I was pissed - that this and the jumping were related. I think this is going to be one of those things that is a failure on my part when it comes to enforcing my roll as pack leader. Like I said, I just have never thought of it that way, the jumping up as a challenge I mean. It also must seem very confusing to my other dogs, watching me allow her to do this when I do not allow them to do it. I can also see how it could give a bad imprint on the puppies as they learn pack rank from the mother also (this is the mother I am talking about doing the jumping up).
Thanks Sara, for the info. AS always your advise or suggestion is always appreciated. And anyone else that would like to comment as well will be appreciated.

If the dog is jumping up on you without your permission then it is a lack of respect. The pack leader controls the lives of the pack. Sarah is right and hit on the key to this when she said ...provided the dog is not a young pup and the dog already KNOWS jumping up is no-no. This means you have to have good communication with the dog. Being consistent with the word you use will make a lot of difference. In other words don't say "no" this time and then next time say "knock it off". Your dog will pick up on the tone of your voice also. Catching the dog in the intention faze is always better also. If you can help it don't wait until the dog has made a decision and or acted on it.

The jumping and humping is pack behavior because the dog does not respect you or other humans as the pack leader. If that happened in the pack the pack leader would correct the unwanted behavior. Start by reading Ed's articles on Ground work. When a dog approaches you and jumps on you, or pushes their head under your hand to be pet they do want attention but, they are actually telling you what to do. And if you give in and don't correct this behavior they think they are the pack leader. You should be the one telling them when they get attention.

+1 to John’s comments… Too many dog owners allow their dogs to inadvertently dominate them through “attention getting”. The dog that will nudge you to pet him… The dog that will rest his head on your leg… The dog who bullies you to play with them… Sure it’s cute but it undermines your position as pack leader to the dog.

You want attention? You want to play? You want a treat or toy? You want to eat? Then do something for me...the pack leader.

 Quote: ptlm. matthew grubb

The dog who bullies you to play with them… Sure it’s cute but it undermines your position as pack leader to the dog.

Does this include the dog bringing a toy and setting it on your lap? If so, what would be the propper response to this? Just ingnoring it all together, slowly placing the toy/item on the ground and saying "No!" I know I just went a little off the toppic of jumping, sorry.

-Rob