Owning an out-of-control dog is frustrating, embarrassing and potentially dangerous. Large dogs that jump up can knock a person down, and toenails often leave scratches. Prevention is the best approach; avoid putting the dog in situations where he is likely to lose control. If he does get out of control, address the problem as quickly and efficiently as you can and resolve to prevent the same thing from happening in the future.
Things You'll Need
- Small treats
- Crate or pet gate
- Leash and collar
Instructions
Ignore the dog if possible. Attention--even ̶0;bad̶1; attention such as scolding--reinforces whatever behavior is occurring at the time. Ignoring undesired behavior teaches the dog that he will not receive the attention he is seeking by behaving that way.
Talk quietly and move slowly. The dog will pick up on your body language, so act in a confident and calm manner. Avoid extravagant gestures or yelling, as these can excite the dog even more.
Give the dog calming signals. Yawning, looking at the dog sideways, and approaching in a wide semi-circle present nonverbal cues that can help dogs relax.
Redirect the dog to a more desirable behavior. A dog that is jumping up on you cannot continue to do so if she is sitting. A dog running in circles cannot run when he is lying down.
Reward the dog heavily for calm behavior. Even if the dog is calm for a half-second, if you can praise him or give him a treat during that time you will reinforce the calm behavior.
Give the dog a timeout. Sometimes a dog is so over-stimulated that the only option is to remove him from the situation. Put him in a crate or a dog-safe room for a few minutes, or take him to a different area that has little stimulation until he calms down.
Work on self-control exercises. Train the dog when she̵7;s relaxed and slightly hungry. Exercises such as ̶0;leave it,̶1; ̶0;go to your place̶1; and ̶0;settle̶1; can help a dog learn to keep her behavior in check.