|
| Author |
Messages |
|
coop
Wilmington, OH
Posts:17
 |
| 11/21/2011 10:50 AM |
|
Hello,
Am new to forums so please excuse any blunders on my part. Our 6 month old GSP is jumping up on the bedroom/bathroom doors when closed and scratching the heck out of them around the lever handles while he tries to open(which he can do). How can I get him to stop?
Thanks so much,
coop
|
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:4476
|
| 11/21/2011 11:51 AM |
|
Hi and welcome.
Don't ya just love the really smart ones!
Only way to stop it is to stop him BEFORE he does it - I mean right as the thought comes to his head. Is he doing it when he is alone?
Then you have no choice but to crate.
|
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
coop
Wilmington, OH
Posts:17
|
| 11/21/2011 12:24 PM |
|
| No, when we're at home. If one of us goes into the bathroom or bedroom and closes the door, he'll be there shortly trying to get in! (We do crate when we're not home.) Last night I tried to stop him before he jumped on bedroom door, but by the time I got there and he saw me coming, he stopped. And thanks so much for responding. |
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:4476
|
| 11/21/2011 12:32 PM |
|
That's the only way to do it.
They need to be taught manners.
Set him up, but correct the unwanted behavior - it's not enough for him to stop on his own.
A heads-up: counter surfing is coming soon.
JOY! |
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7925
|
| 11/21/2011 3:45 PM |
|
| My youngest tried that at the back door, so when she jumped on the door I opened the door right into her and knocked her back with the door. Same methodology as slamming the door on the crate to prevent them charging out of the crate only in reverse. It took some reps, but it got the point across. Now she will stand on her back feet and look in, but she doesn't touch the door. Of course, if your door opens in instead of out, this won't work for you. |
|
Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
|
|
coop
Wilmington, OH
Posts:17
|
| 11/21/2011 3:46 PM |
|
We're already dealing with the counter surfing -using the "off" command,then treat as soon as paws hit floor. This is working pretty well. I just put cardboard on bedroom door to set him up and will follow him closely. What type of correction to stop unwanted behavior do you suggest?
Thnx,
coop |
|
|
|
|
coop
Wilmington, OH
Posts:17
|
| 11/22/2011 5:23 AM |
|
Texas Belle
Unfortunately, all our doors open in, although that's a great idea. I'll also remember the tip about the crate door. So far he's not charging out so maybe that won't happen? |
|
|
|
|
pixie bee
MH
Posts:4476
|
| 11/22/2011 6:17 AM |
|
The best is to catch them and NO!,sometimes they do it anyway - I love this b/c it tells me what they really think of authority (little stinkers)- at that point I add a SIT or DOWN.
Once they are in the act, not much matters. Nothing to be learned - except I was slacking off.
For me,obedience works wonders. This is a good age to begin teaching solid obedience - enforcing a command.
Treating is good for teaching but I find they don't take commands seriously. |
|
"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
|
|
|
tgatto
Lake in the Hills, IL
MH
Posts:420
|
| 11/22/2011 10:01 AM |
|
| Or worse... they learn to mis-behave to get a treat... The dogs I have had were like that. Sadie is like that now. The squirt bottle works (water). Catch them in the act, and just a little squirt... Of course, this works well for jumping up on people, and counters. Don't know what to tell you about the doors, except to set them up. |
|
It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd |
|
|
Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7925
|
| 11/22/2011 10:29 AM |
|
tgatto - Had to laugh at the squirt bottle. That does not work with my dogs, they like the water too much. Especially my youngest, she loves to get her face right in the hard spray from the spray nozzle on the hose. For me, most of the time positive reinforcement works very well. However, I would caution that your dogs have to know you are top dog or they will test you (and they will sometimes test you anyway). I am, also, a firm believer when they try testing you you need to let them know you are not happy. I like to use a loud voice and make a big production when I want to make a point. Usually works well, especially since I only use it when I am really wanting to make a point.
I had to do that night before last when my boy thought it was a real game to grab my yarn skein from an afghan I am crocheting. The first time he ran with it, he brought it back and even though it was a gnarled knot I couldn't fuss at him because he did bring it back. However, the second time I caught him in the act and made a huge production of showing him how mad I was about it. He stayed in the other room for about 2 hours, and I left him there so he could think about it. He has not attempted to touch the yarn again.
The real challenge in training is figuring out what works for a particular situation and dog. It is often different from dog to dog. So, I always try to put myself in the dogs position and figure out what they enjoy about what they are doing and then come up with a way to make it less enjoyable or rewarding. Sometimes it takes a while to come up with a solution, but there always is a solution.
So back to the original question, you say he is jumping on the doors to get to you, so does he get the door open every time? or do you open the door to correct him? In both scenarios, he is getting what he wants and it probably won't matter much to him that you are mad when you open the door as he still gets his reward which is you. So, I know your doors open in, but I think if your timing is good you could still use the closed door routine. So what I would do is as soon as he starts to scratch I would quickly open the door just a few inches and slam it back and use a correction work like Uh uh. I don't like to use No because it gets a bit overused and looses meaning in the process. You will probably have to do this multiple times in a session to get the meaning. Also the second you close the door and he does not immediately scratch you also need to reward that behavior. The key here is he will think I got my person to open the door, but immediately there is a bad thing that happens with the door slamming and you showing displeasure, so that doesn't work so well. Then when you reward his good behavior (and you will have to gradually extend the time before reward) he will start figuring out that the good behavior actually gets him what he wants. If he slips up in the process, then you are going too fast, back up and slow down. I would also crate him any time you really have to go in bedroom/bathroom when you will not be able to work the training. You do not want to undo the training which will happen if he gets the reward of you without the consequences.
Hope this makes sense and will be curious to see if it works for you. |
|
Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
|
|
tgatto
Lake in the Hills, IL
MH
Posts:420
|
| 11/22/2011 3:55 PM |
|
Posted By Texas Belle on 11/22/2011 10:29 AM
tgatto - Had to laugh at the squirt bottle. That does not work with my dogs, they like the water too much. Especially my youngest, she loves to get her face right in the hard spray from the spray nozzle on the hose.
Yeah, guess I should have qualified that statement! Both Sadie and Sophie loved the water as well, but for whatever reason did not like getting squirted, or splashed. Sadie looks at me like, "What'd you do that for?!?!". I then tell her to sit, and give her a pet, and a cookie (if they happen to be around). Guess the point is to find some negative reinforcement to make the dog feel "uncomfortable" about the bad behavior while they are in the act (i.e., squirt, "NO!", close door on them, etc...). THEN positively reinforce the desired behavior (treat, petting, "GOOD DOG!", etc...). What method works best for your dog, is the method you want to use! |
|
It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd |
|
|
coop
Wilmington, OH
Posts:17
|
| 11/22/2011 4:26 PM |
|
| We want to thank y'all for all the advice and suggestions. And we are discovering that you do have to find what works best for your dog. It's amazing how different they all are. These suggestions will help us greatly and it will be a big test this weekend when company arrives. Also have big problem with him jumping on people, so will try squirt bottle for that,too. |
|
|
|
|
Splat
Illinois (Northern)
MH
Posts:3155
|
| 11/22/2011 5:28 PM |
|
also with the jumping don't let anyone pet them unless the dog is in a sit...
it is funny though the closed doors...don't you know you aren't allowed to close the doors even the bathroom door, LOL! Mine love to be with me (Velcro dogs) luckily mine only cry when I do occasionally close the door...I enjoyed hearing the ways to correct the jumping/scratching on the door... |
|
 |
|
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
|
|
ActiveForums 3.7
|
You must be logged in to use this module.
|