Thoughts about collars...

[Sarah Bennett]

So, my large, young boy (10.5 months, 80+lbs) is VERY energetic and LOVES to be around people.  When I have guests over, or take him places or take him to doggie daycamp, he gets SO SO SO excited.  Pulling, jumping, jumping up on people...it's almost like he never gets out of the house (which is SO not true...he's out of the house on the low end, once a week, but often more than that.  He also get's visitors often too...).  He's not mean aggressive, but he's aggressive to be your friend, play and get some love.  It is kind of out of control.  When he is home, he's really pretty laid back as long as he gets his play time (though he does occasionally get his puppy spaz time and does this crazy run around the house).  

Anyway, twice in the past week people have suggested I try to use a prong collar on him to help with the "I love people" aggression (seriously, he won't mean to hurt you, but he might knock you down to lick you...).  So, I bought one yesterday...  I have not tried it and honestly, I don't know how I feel about even owning it...  What are your thoughts about using prong collars?  I'm not gonna lie...it looks scary.  I'd appreciate thoughts.  Thanks. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have written many times about prong collars. I adore mine and although we might do without them by now I feel like they give me insurance against the dogs bounding after anything. I got mine specially made at leashesbydesign.com so they have easy on/off closures.Shannon who makes them is very helpful. I think they are the easiest, most humane way to manage dogs without hurting them.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

IMO the collar is only a tool....it's the training that goes with it that teaches your dog how you want them to behave.  Have you started any obedience work yet?  With a dog this large I think it would avoid all kinds of issues as he gets older.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes it is only a toll but there is nothing wrong with tools that make life easier IMHO. I think training is wonderful too but I don't think it needs to be either or. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really do think that they go together in most cases....I tried the tool without the proper training and the result was a disaster.  I guess with the right dog that might not be the case (clearly it was a non-issue with your sweet Doodles), but most trainers would tell you not to just put on a corrective collar without first teaching the dog your expectations.  No one answer for this one...but I so worry about the people who think they can just use a harness or a choke or a prong collar without ever even teaching their dogs what they are expecting and their problems will be solved. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I do understand Jane. Luca was in training at the time we got his collar. But my expectations on walks are very low. Come with me, generally follow my pace and don't lunge. I have never had the doodles heeling but I didn't care to. I do take my dogs all over and in stores etc. It is very different with reactive dogs. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree. The dog must learn which behaviors are expected and which behaviors are not permitted, or you can end up with a dog who is out of control, and no type of collar or other tool is going to help in many every day situations. Working with the dog in training, building a bond, learning how to communicate with him, these are the things that are going to make living with the dog tolerable and enjoyable. The tools help you get there, but eventually, you want to stop having to issue a collar correction every time anyone walks into your home. Training is what does that. I want to be able to issue a command and have it obeyed, indoors or out, without having to put something on the dog. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

My younger one is a jumper as well and gets super excited when people come over. Here is what I do: before the guests arrive, I put him on a leash so he can't run to the other people and jump at them as they enter the door. I have a bag of treats on my belt and a clicker. As people start coming in, we stay away in the other room (while he can still see them), and I click and treat for him being focused on me. I get rid of the leash after he calmed down some and then he can go greet the visitors.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Jarka, I do a similar thing which is to take them out of the situation. I send both of them to their crates. When the doorbell goes they get very excited and I say 'go to your crates' and they race into the crates. I race after them and close the doors. Then I  race back to answer the door. When the person is in the house and all is quiet I let them out one at a time. They are calm and never jump, just say hello and then settle nicely. If I didn't do that they would be loonies. I prefer to find my own solutions to problems because I don't have the necessary patience to train them any other way and I wouldn't know the first thing about prong collars nor does anyone here that I know train how to use them.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Never before Meg have we used a prong collar and thought we did not want one.  Our trainer put one on her and presto!, different dog on leash.  Here is the thing, you must make it fit  properly AND you should know how to use it properly.  Talk to someone that knows these things.  We actually got one for Polly as we brought her home, I put her and Meg on a coupler with one leash and believe it or not Meg became the teacher for Polly walking properly, it has been quite easy.

I repeat though, get ahold of someone that knows the correct fit and use.

[K and Racey]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of prong collars. I know every dog is different, and sometimes as a last resort, it's the only way to go, so this is nothing against those who have them. (I also realize how fortunate I am that my dog was extremely trainable and I didn't have to go to that measure). My issue with using a prong collar is that dogs are SMART-especially doodles. He will know when he has that prong collar on and will learn that he doesn't have to mind as well when it isn't on. The other thing is depending on how smart your dog is, they will reach around and bite the leash so you can't pull on them with the prong collar.

That being said....

The first thing I would try is taking him out to Lowes or Home Depot almost daily. I know you said you take him out a lot, which I am sure is true, but the only way to break him of the bad habit is to put him in a situation where you know he is going to exercise those bad manners and correct him. BEFORE you go to the store, you need to wear him out. Take him into the backyard and throw the frisbee for half an hour, or whatever method it is you use to get him calmed down a bit. Racey was a million times easier to train as a puppy when she had already got out that puppy energy.

When you are in Lowes/Home Depot, you will likely get asked by store employees if they can pet your dog. Say yes, but that he has to be sitting for them to pet him. You have to be in charge and say this right away. The employees in the stores here are really good about it.  Even after the first week you will be amazed at his progress I am sure.

When he tries to jump on people, are you consistent in applying the same word that means he can't jump on people? For example, we use "Racey Off." We don't use "down" or "no" We say her name first to get her attention so she knows we are talking to her, and are consistent with the word off. I think using down or no could be confusing to her bc I know at doggy day care they tell the dogs to lay down and I just don't think No is specific enough. 

My next question would be, do you let him jump on you? If so, this could be part of the problem. He's learned this is an acceptable way to greet people. Ask at doggy day care if they let him jump up and ask them to correct the behavior as well.

I think the other posters have given good advice on how to handle the jumping at home.

If you've tried multiple training tools to stop the jumping and a prong collar is your last resort, then I agree with Judy Keith Please make sure it is properly fit. And please make sure you know how to use it properly. A prong collar is meant to be a tool and will only be as good as the user of it.

[Sarah Bennett]

I do try to take him out... unfortunately, I live out in the country and the closest store (such as home depot, etc) is about 20 miles away.  When I take him places (usually to friends and relatives homes), I keep him leashed, I bring a pocket full of treats and he stays with me the whole time.  On Thanksgiving, I played hard with him at home and brushed him before taking him.  He was wound up the entire time (there were admittedly lots of people and two other dogs who did not have to be leashed there).  We even went on a 4 mile walk (which since it's been cold we don't walk too much because I'm a wuss) and he did not calm down until we went home (we were there probably from 12 noon until 7 pm).  He was on constant "hyper mode" the whole time.  

I have been working with my nieces with him.  I give them a bag full of treats before they come in, and they are working on telling him to sit before he can be petted.  The issue is after that.  He just get's so excited and can't seem to contain his energy.  If I know someone is coming over, I try to spend a good 30-60 minutes playing with him (it's cold and snowing outside right now so not too much time outside) playing fetch with him up and down the stairs, throwing a frisbee across the house (I know... that's bad :) ), hiding things to have him find them, practicing commands, brushing him, gosh, anything that I can find to wear him out... but it seems that no matter how tired he was the second before the knock on the door the prospect of people gets him going!    

He has this "sit" when people are there that I was just describing to a friend as, "I wanna be good, I wanna be good, I wanna be good... I CAN'T BE GOOD!!!!"   

At home, just the two of us, he's really quite good.  I do not let him jump on me and while there is sometimes jumping in our play, if he touches me, I'm done playing and walk away.  He enjoys seeing me when I get home, but is not overly excited.  He has a lot of energy with just the two of us, but I can usually "get rid of it" through play, commands and grooming.  When another person comes onto the scene, he just cannot control himself.  I feel bad bringing other people onto the scene because of this.  I still try, but it is overwhelming.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It really sounds like your dog needs a lot more hard exercise than he is getting. A large young sporting breed dog has the highest exercise requirements of any type of dog there is. Playing indoors is not nearly going to cover it unless you have a home the size of a football field, lol. Even daily leash walking is usually not enough for a young standard doodle. Do you have a fenced yard where he can run? If not, is there a place you can take him where he can run off leash at least once a week?

I also agree with Jane that collars are only tools. You need to start a formal training program, mostly to teach you how to teach him.