How do you stop a dog leaping 2feet off the ground at you?

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Hound of the Sea

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Murphy is our 11 month old Irish Water Spaniel -I was going to post a photo but can't manage to do it, though he doesn't look too much like an IWS now having just had a rather severe trim. We live in Snowdonia overlooking the sea, surrounded by sheep and lambs at the moment (not mine). Murphy will mostly do what he is told but we can't stop him suddenly leaping up at us. We have tried putting a knee up but it is difficult getting the timing right. Any ideas?
 
Turn around. Engaging with him turns it into a big game.
Also, pre-empt it. If he looks like he is going to bounce, engages you in eye contact, he will. So be ready. Then turn around.

Is he just leaping or is he being grabby too?

Distract him also, give him something more fun to do, chuck a ball in the other direction when you see him getting ready to go.
 
Can I come and live with you?

Zak used to do this, forgets himself sometimes and does it still. He gives a signal of crouching down then jumping up, like a wee spring. A very firm no has worked as well as a hand signal (show him the palm as a 'stop' signal). At ten months, he's got this, mostly, unless horribly over excited. Praise like a complete lunatic if he stops. :D
 
Dodge?

Dodge faster?

Like CT mine (just coming up to 12 months, how the time flies! :eek:) will still launch himself at people if he gets over excited and forgets his manners, so I'm not really in a position to offer out advice :o But I still will :p Patience, timing and learning their signal for when they're about to launch is probably key. For example Loki will freeze for a split second, eyeball the victim, and 'hunch' his weight back ever so slightly and tense up. He might hold that position for 0.5 of a second, or 3-4 seconds. If you know it's a possibility (for example a really exciting meeting with human friends he doesn't see too often) you can watch for it and check it before the jump happens.

Beyond the above, as a fellow occasional sufferer, I can recommend wine (helps ease mortification), more wine (helps ease pain from the odd scratch mark) and the odd glass of wine (helps ease the despair whenever you dwell on a young dog's growing pains for too long).

So um, yes. In conclusion:

#1 Dodge
#2 Interrupt
#3 Alcohol

Sorry that's not actually helpful :( Other than the wine ofc, wine is always helpful.
 
I remember on dog borstal that they used a bottle with stones in it and would shake it sharply to stop the dog in the moment and stop it from jumping up :)
 
I love Pix's response, sounds like a great plan. Shall I bring the wine this Tuesday? (BTW Hound of the Sea (HotS) is my neighbour about half a mile down the road)

Cayla, I'll let HotS answer fully when she is next online, but from my experience Murphy isn't precious about where he does his leaping - in the house, in the garden, on a walk - makes no difference.

This isn't normal jumping up. This is all four feet off the ground, up level with my head (OK I know I'm a shorta*s but even so...) He doesn't seem to grab or mouth while he's doing it, but if he has forward momentum then he does tend to collide with your chest or, in my case, face!

I'm not sure if there is a pattern to when he does it. From memory I think it may be when he feels he is not getting sufficient attention (I seem to remember having a face full of wet dog when I have been giving my dog Dylan attention/commands & have my eye off Murphy), or if you have something he wants (toy, ball, treat etc), but he doesn't make a grab for desired object. Does that make sense? HotS, does that sound right to you?

HotS, I'm sure you'll get some good suggestions of things to try from the guys on here, but if all else fails you could always try the sport shown in the new thread titles Dockdogs! Looks like that was invented for Murphy - leaping high in the air & landing in water, Murphy's 2 best things ever!
 
He only jumps off the ground when outside, inside he will jump up but that does not involve him head butting a nose or mouth thankfully. Luckily he only leaps at people he knows well, in particular Davisn. I haven't noticed any particular trigger for him suddenly launching himself at you. But he does seem to like a lot of execise.

Anyway thanks guys for all the advice. I will practice dodging and dodging faster. Don't need too much practice on wine front. In fact indulging in some now whilst my darling Murphy is fast asleep on the sofa -aah he looks so cute when in repose! Do like the idea of a noisy tin -think that will certainly be worth a try. Will keep you posted on progress.
 
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Just trying posting photos again!
 
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What a dude! Make sure dodging doesn't turn it into a bigger game.

If it's frustration in that he isn't getting what he wants, pick the split second he becomes calm to reward him with what he wants, IE, the ball, the attention. Again, ignore or just turn around until then.
 
MissUnderstood said:
Am PMSL at Pix's answer, I can guess what she was doing last night - drinking wine perhaps Pix? :D I must remember the wine solution, manic white greyhound jumps up at me every time I am putting their leads on to go for a walk :mad:

Bless them, we wouldnt be without them would we ;)
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Ooh, ours both got very overexcited about leads appearing so they've been taught to sit quietly whilst having various restraining systems (collars, leads) fitted. It's taken a lot of patience and possibly 2 months of solid determination, but we now have excited yelp, stern word, ignoring til quiet, pups sat on their bed while evil mum fits latest system designed to stop 20kg of springer yanking all the way. (funny now my 560kg horse never pulls:rolleyes:)
 
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