Hi Matt,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner computer glitch.
I just used the crate as an example because I understood your wife was not home when you left and that your dog was
jumping on you spilling coffee ect. The crate was just a beginning to calming down your mornings. The book that Michelle suggests is excellent, the author relates alot of her strategies on handling dog behavior on the way wolves act in the wild. The part about ignoring your dog when you come home is very important, I realize it is very difficult since all you want to do is greet your dog when they are running around you obviously so happy to see you, but if you ignore them until they settle down and are guiet for a few minutes then you can call them over and love them up as much as you like, and by doing this you are reinforcing the fact that you are the alpha/pack leader. Also never let your dog go through a doorway first, make him sit and wait for you to go first, another thing to reinforce your role.
By doing these little things everyday your mornings should
also calm down because you will be the boss and if you want to leave the house without your dog he will learn to accept this, just make sure you ignore him during his morning antics before you leave.

But get that book it will really help with understanding were your dog is coming from.
Good luck
Petra

Well, I got the book and started reading it. So far, a very interesting read. I am continuing with the ignoring as well as try to add more structure to the mornings and all of his time.

The ignoring behavior has had sort of a 2-sided result so far. He acts even worse when I get home (as described above), but he calms down much quicker and lies down chewing a bone while he awaits attention. Hopefully, if I keep it up the obnoxious part will go away as well.

One mistake I guess I have continued to commit was that I probably give the dog way too much attention and petting. It's hard not to give it too him, but I have decided to limit the attention I give him. I know that was in Ed's Ground Rules, but I guess I kinda dropped the ball on that part.

I made that mistake with our last dog when he was a young dog he would come up to me and butt his head in my side or under my hand ect. It got to the point of him being a real pest so I had to control my (on isn't he cute) and ignore him unless it was on my terms and it really worked, he became a real good dog, who still followed me everywhere the only difference being he did so guietly and didn't bug unless he was called to come over for some petting and affection. Good luck and it will work!!!!

Matt ,

In my opinion for any of the advice you have been given to be effective you also need a solid foundation set in obediance training with your dog . This type of training along with some of the advice you have already been given needs to be consistant also or the dog will easily revert back to it's bad bahavior .

I also recommend a good outlet for the dog's energy , long walks , swimming , fetch , etc. . Obediance training along with periods of playtime (reward for proper behavior during obed. training ) also can be fun for the dog and help him expend his pent up energy .

Good Luck.

 Quote:

The ignoring behavior has had sort of a 2-sided result so far. He acts even worse when I get home (as described above), but he calms down much quicker and lies down chewing a bone while he awaits attention. Hopefully, if I keep it up the obnoxious part will go away as well.

Matt,
Sounds good for sure!!!

Now that he calms down quickly, you can use it to your advantage.

Continue to ignore the obnoxious part, and when he calms down and goes to lay down, stay calm yourself, approach him, say "gooooood dog" (or whatever you can say in a calm fashion), and give him long soft pats. Basically, reinforce his *calm* behavior with your attention, but don't make it too enthusiastic as to trigger his crazier side. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

You'll have this problem licked in no time!
T

 Quote:

....I also recommend a good outlet for the dog's energy , long walks , swimming , fetch , etc. . Obediance training along with periods of playtime (reward for proper behavior during obed. training ) also can be fun for the dog and help him expend his pent up energy ....

You have received great suggestions here, and (IMO) if you add solid structured exercise every day, MUCH unwanted behavior will disappear.

The walk is a big pet-training exercise and pack-structure reinforcement, and exercise exercise exercise is your dog's good friend.

If plenty of structured exercise is added to the pet's training, the training will be easier, and excited behavior will cool down......and the dog will be happier and healthier.

You have made great progress!

Good Luck.

Thanks for the advice.

He has no shortage of exercise. We go hiking in the mountians, swimming in the ocean, lake and rivers and long sessions of fetch, and long walks - he gets an hour long walk/play in the park every morning or a hike in the mountains. At night, he gets the same or similar and a couple times a day he chases the hose for 20 minutes or so.

I have been working him daily in obedience per Ed's videos since day one. so, he has a solid background and he does well when we are doing obedience exercises. I need to start (already started) applying the obedience stuff more regularly in non-training situations.

I haven't been able to move very successfully into the extreme distration phases. He still needs a lot of work though. Also, I am sure I give him way too much attention though - couldn't resist.

Wow, you are doing so great! Based on this, I'll bet the advice about lessening the excited attention and making the leave-taking very calm and casual will end up working great.

QUOTE: I haven't been able to move very successfully into the extreme distration phases. He still needs a lot of work END

Well, unless I am unique in the dog-training world, that IS where the more difficult part starts! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> But the bigger the challenges, the greater the satisfaction (to both of you).

Besides doing the obedience in non-training situations (as in, all the time), it works great for me to keep training sessions themselves short and fun and frequent rather than long and possibly tiring to one or both of you.

Hi Connie! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Matt - I don't have any great advice, I just wanted to sympathize and tell you I feel your pain, buddy.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> I'm having the same issue with my 6.5 month old.

And I have the same situation you have with your wife. Its nothing to watch the bf leave, but if I go, its straight panic. Unfortunately, my dog couldnt be less interested in peanut butter. Im going to get some cream cheese soon and try that instead.

She loves these tendon things I get from the pet store, and will run off to her bed to eat them - if I leave when she cant see me, she doesnt seem to bark. Just runs back to the door and sits there. I know because I hear her drop the chew thing as Im 1/2 way down the steps.

I dont like to leave her alone with them, i dont want her choking, so Ive stopped that.

But if I leave and she SEES me go.. forget about it. You can hear her outside.. and I live in a large apartment building.. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

But Im going to try some of these suggestions on her and hopefully they will work. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />