mouthing and over excitment

Hey I have a 22 month male staffy who's been neutered. He is really excitable and people can't come in without him jumping up and trying hang off their sleeves. he also grabs your hand and wrists quite a lot even when your clapping him which I don't understandas he is getting attention which he constantly wants! I know he's not doing it to hurt anyone but he is a strong boy and occasionally nips when clamping for your sleeve not to mention scratch any visible skin you have in the process. No one can come in without this problem and I have tried everything from treats to ignoring but when he's excited its as tho his hearing is switched off he won't listen! Ignoring works sometimes but can make it worse aswel! I though he would have grown out of this by now?

Any help would be great.

Vic

generally a good firm no and turn your back works but you must be persistent, failing this put him out of the room until he is calm.
You can also try introducing him to peoiple on lead. All of your guests must be on board with your tecniques though or you are on a hiding to nothing

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Hi thanks I have tried as very stern no but he switches his hearing off when over excited. and when I try move him or hold him like this he growls

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Please try to be persisitent with the training and all members of the household must do the same procedure. When he nips give a firm NO and turn your back on him. When he calms down give praise.

Hi

When people come round, keep him on a lead and don't let him say hello until he calms down; if he gets excited again, walk him away from the person until he calms down and repeat.

Be really consistent and he should soon learn he only gets what he wants when he's calm.

kathytake2 wrote:Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Please try to be persisitent with the training and all members of the household must do the same procedure. When he nips give a firm NO and turn your back on him. When he calms down give praise.

This is the method we use as well. Everyone in the house has to do it every time. You may also want to explain this to visitors so they know what they need to do as well.

Thanks guys

It will take some time and patience but the method does work.

Havnt seen what people have said but turning your back could be worth a shot too start with.
Hooch does this its the excitement and he needs something in his mouth so as we have our shoes near the door he tends too grab them if theres no shoes he will grab at peoples jumpers, and hes 6 this year.
Try leaving a toy near the door or when someone arrives give him the toy and praise him when he grabs that and not the visitor.
I get annoyed when hooch did it but have learnt too live with it aslong as its toy or shoes he grabbing.

Jsut too add what about using a trainning lead inddors when visitors arrive maybe?

Good luck x

Grab yourself a small plastic bottle and put some stones in the bottom. Make sure you have it with you whenever you know this behavior is a problem and whenever he tries to nip shake the bottle in his direction with a firm NO. Then turn your back and refuse to give anymore attention until the dog is calm. Usually the noise of the bottle snaps them out of the energetic snappy zone and ignoring pup until calm lets him know that what he's doing will get him no-where. Good luck. xx

I find the turning your back on him/her does work well. We do that with Pixee, and like shelly, I make sure theres a toy ready to put in her mouth when shes over excited after saying to her no, if she nips the arms etc, and she has got better.

I agree with the suggestions given - ignore if at all possible, if the dog never receives positive reinforcement for the behaviour then it will stop. Unless of course it has already been reinforced a lot in the past, in which case you might be better giving a quick correction (NOT to induce pain or discomfort - a startle reflex will work best and a stern no). The way I deal with 'serial excitement mouthers' is to keep a light house line near the door. You can just clip this on to the collar to be used to correct the moment the dog gets too giddy. It also helps if you are super chilled out when you go to the door.
On a more general note - with dogs like this I always try to avoid rewarding excitement in any area. Just big cuddles and massage when calm, then stop the affection if the dog gets excited. This calms them down across the board, walking is easier, greeting other dogs is easier, everything. As soon as the penny drops that calmness is rewarded and excitement is ignored unless initiated by you then life gets so much more chilled...
Julia

Thanks guys I have been working on it and its getting slightly better but I suppose I need to be patient. :-)

Glad to hear it's improving. Patience and consistancy are the keys.

they are stubborn and things take forever but I think you have good advice above