Butch,

Dogs are really sensitive to stimulation, and the crate is a very effective tool. The key is to not use the crate only when the dog is in trouble. All of my dogs are very comfortable in their crates and so they calm in a hurry. Once they have calmed down that tends to carry over to the new people that are around.

I rarely have to use corrections for this type of situation, the reason is because I "cure" this problem before it happens. If correction is required I would start it at about the same that you use correction in obedience. I start using correction for my pups at around 4-5 months of age. Very mild corrections done on a flat (non-correction collar). Corrections increase with age as is required. I can't think of a time that I have used a correction for over excitment meeting people, I use obedience commands and correct for breaking the obedience. That way the correction isn't associated with the person, but with the obedience.

Richard,
I now understand much better. Thanks! I also use the crate as a haven for the dogs when they get excited. I agree that introducing pups too as much different stimuli as possible at an early age makes training so much less troublesome.

I have always used verbal corrections only on young pups. Then using physical corrections only after the dog has reached 8 to 9 months of age and understands the command.

Luckly both my dogs are very people friendly, it took a lot of time and effort to obtain this, Well woth every minute.

I'm working at present with a 8-9 month old GSD female, has been raised in the yard of a friend since 3 months old. This has become a challange since I had no hand in the handling of this dogs as a pup. Something new that I'm doing is using Ed's tapes throughout the training process. The techniques used are a little different then those I've used before. After watching the Basic Obidience tape a few times I think this is the way to train a young dog. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I will be coming to the board with a few questions as trainig progress's.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Indeed thank you all for your help... that makes it crystal clear... I have been reading up and trying to learn about this stuff, but I get confused as you can see to what is called what! Operent Conditioning... this is just what I am reading about now...thanks again for clearing up my mistakes here...

Gee don't I feel stupid? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Build a kennel. Crate train. Follow Richards advice and direct the interaction between your dog and your young kids. Your overall goal when you share your house with the dog AND you have little brats is to keep the dog calm in the house. Don't monkey around in the house too much.

Your dog sounds pretty good to me. A few takedowns are to be expected. At least he isn't seeking the kids out and pushing them around. I do correct the dogs for not being careful with a deep, mean sounding, "hey" or "no". And often when they are being too wild I will crate them or put them in the kennel. That along with an overall training program will produce a pretty good dog. They usually get the picture pretty fast.

Am I the only one who read during OB The child is present? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Shouldn't this pup be worked without the child adding to the training problems we encounter?

VanCamp,Do you work your dogs with the children present?

I understand using them as distractions.
Need help with this one.

You are right that children are great to use as distractions. I use my kids for that all the time. In the early phases of obedience it needs to be you and the dog, no distractions. It is two seperate issues. The jumping scenario involves the child and utilizing the obedience taught during training sessions(without the child present) to re-direct the negative jumping into positive obedience.

What the hell did I just say? Why can't I explain shit like Richard does! I make myself dizzy sometimes. :rolleyes:

Chuck,
I guess my question is to Scott.
Are you training your GSD with child present?
Or you using child as a distraction? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I have a feeling I always look at a different angle... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

What difference does it make if he is using the child as a distraction, if the dog is off leash, if the child is running by, if he is working in OB? Since when is a young dog allowed to 'rough up' a four year old child?

Now depending on the dog, and its defense level...here is what I would do...

First we have to understand why is the dog jumping on the child? We were told it is excited to see the child. Wants to play...if I read correctly...just over zealous.

The dog also jumps on other people as well. So give it exactly what it wants. The dog jumps up, grab its paws and give it all kinds of attention...be goofy about it. After the dog gets it fill it will try to jump down. NO!!! The dog is on your time now. Continue to hold the paws. Hold until you see a sign of stress. Whining, yelping, growling are not signs of stress. When you see the stress immediatley say off and let go. Try to get the dog to jump back up. Most won't...some hard headed will try again. Repeat if necessary. If you have to do it three times you didn't do it long enough the first two. I have never met a dog I couldn't get to stop by using this method. Now, remeber this is a young dog, not a full of piss and vinegar adult.

The key is you have to give the dog the attention. It gets what it wanted and finds out it didn't like the results. If it jumps on someone else...bridge the gap with a nononononononononononononononononononono all the way till you get to them and then pick them up and hold them.

Exactly my point in the sense that whether you use distractions in obedience and how you stop the dog from jumping on a kid are two seperate issues. I really don't think we are far apart in our overall take on this. You are describing how you would correct the problem and I am just adding the re-directing the behavior using obedience. I think Butch was refering to obedience sessions.

answer to David Lilly, Afra v. Pirol.