[Rue2]

We've had Celeste almost 1 month now (she was a shelter dog). She's ~ 10-11 months old now. I have her in regular obed. classes and she's doing remarkably well. Sit, stay, stand, leave it - very going very well. Still pulls a bit while heeling, but will heel on a loose lead more often. Just learned 'down' last night...she did it in class, won't have a problem with that either...very clever girl!

But...one of the 'bad habits' she came with was 'over-exuberance'. I've got her to stop throwing herself at us (all 68 lbs. of her...*oof*... :shock: :lol: ), but what I'm having a harder time with is getting her to stop grabbing at us when she gets excited - she'll grab at our shirts, pants, jackets...and entire limbs...

She's fairly 'gentle' about it (all things considered), no aggression - just wants to play...but she's still too rough...'No!' No bite!' and 'Drop it' don't have much effect. When we go out to play I've managed to divert most of this behaviour with a ball or tug toy...and I can get her to let go with a food reward (I make her sit first). I've also grabbed her nose and pinched her lip to make her let go (lots of praise and huggys when she does).

But it still hasn't quite clicked in that this is unacceptable.

Any advice? Just keep doing what I'm doing? Or is there a trick I'm unaware of? I've done obed. with every dog I've had...but this mouthing is a new issue for me (usually I teach them very early - but Celeste is older and came with the issue). I've had enough bruises...and holes in my t-shirts... :twisted:

 

[i love remy]

Have you tried just getting up and walking away from her without saying a word? I do this with my dogs when they're getting over-stimulated. It gives them a minute to calm themselves, and it also lets them know that as soon as they get too rowdy, their fun time ends! I'm communicating to them "Screw you guys...I don't put up with this!" without any harsh or unnecssary corrections. A couple of minutes of isolation from me usually calms them right down.

 

[Rue2]

No...she does this when we're up and about, it's not a problem if I'm not moving...I have tried ignoring it as well, but she takes that for 'yes! It's okay to grab me' ...

I've noticed she also gets all excited and more likely to grab at me when we're doing an 'about turn' in obed...

 

[gazar]

Sounds like time for the old water squirter. Have a water squirter in your hand
and just walk around. As she grabs you squirt her on top of the head and say NO very firmly
and then turn and walk away from her. This may take a few times but should not take a long
time. Don't squirt her mouth as they sometimes think this is play. Good luck.

 

[Rue2]

That might work! LOL...thanks...I'll see if any of the kids have any left that aren't broken...

 

[angie7349]

A firm No immediatly followed by sitting in the boring old dark bathroom.

 

[Rue2]

Yes, we could try that too if she does it in while we're in the house - thanks!...