Calming Down

[Eleanor]

My 2 1/2 year old doodle is a good girl in every way except when someone comes over.  She gets so excited when the bell rings and someone comes in she'll start jumping all over them and running around the house and will pee a little if they pet her. I usually have to put her in her cage and I do not want to do that.  Even when in her cage if  someone goes over to the cage to say hello, she'll pee from excitement.  I was hopeful that this would calm down with age. I especially have to put her in the cage each time my grandkids come over for a visit because she will jump on them and scare them or knock them down.  She is almost 70 lbs.  It's so hard to break her out of this habit because I can not control her when someone comes in and I have no choice but to put her away because people are afraid.

When my grandkids spend the night she spends most her time in her cozy cage or being shuffled from one area of the house to another depending on where the kids are.  It's crazy. 

I was thinking of trying to work with a trainer?  Not sure yet.    Any suggestions.  

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Nancy - unfortunately with Sedona, in addition to the excitement pee she also had problems with urine leakage, starting before she was 2. I think it was that even more than the sprinkling that the vet attributed to the early spay.

Hopefully, with your grand-poodle you remember not to wear your good shoes when you visit!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

HAHAHA  I do try to make sure she isn't on a carpet - mine or theirs - and keep my feet out of the way.  :-}   I don't know when the cut off age really is for stopping this, but I hope she hasn't reached it yet.  When our first Springer was a puppy, she did this BUT lay down on her back so peed all over herself.  She totally outgrew it, luckily!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

One other thing that I think is important is "owning the door".  When my guys heard a knock or the dreaded doorbell they feel it's their job to run as fast as they can to see who is there, barking as they go to let me know there is a visitor.  There was a time when Murphy (70 lbs) would actually jump on the door, which certainly didn't make our visitors feel really welcome.  I have worked with them to know that I own that door and they can't go up to it without my permission.  Murphy now goes to the stairs which are about 10 feet from the door and waits until I release him whenever he hears someone at the door...he still barks but I'm okay with that.  The door has become "off limits" to them unless I actually tell them it's okay.  So even when we are going out for a walk they have to back up at the door and wait until I tell them it's okay to come out.  If I'm going to have several visitors at once I gate them in another room until everyone arrives and is seated....that eliminates all of the excitement of the arrival.  I then let them out but if I see that they get back into an excited state they go back in the room.  They pretty much know this now and so they are much calmer with company.  I also would highly recommend working with a trainer.  I think it strengthens your bond with your dog and training always helps them to see you as their leader which makes redirecting them from unwanted behaviors so much easier.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You have done such a wonderful job with training and keeping the training up, Jane.  You continue to be my hero.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh thanks so much, Nancy.  There actually was no choice with Murph.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Jane, there were other sad choices others might have made, but to you there was only one, and because of your love, determination, and dedication you ended up with an awesome dog who loves you to distraction and I am sure very grateful. Again, you are my hero ---- and Murphy and Guinness' hero too.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Amen. 

[BG and Gavin]

Love!!