Re: [pyrnet] The Paw

["Tracy" <espinay@bigpond.com>]

<< I've been saying "get down", but it's not  very effective.  Ombre knows
she isn't supposed to jump on me, but she reminds me of a little kid
stomping in a puddle of water: she knows she'll be scolded, but just can't
resist the fun of it. >>

At lot of the reason she keeps doing it is because even though she is
scolded, the interaction she gets (hands on her while you push her away and
talking/looking at her while you do it etc) is still enough reinforcement
that she gets something out of jumping up on you.  Also, if you occasionally
allow her to do it (such as when you are in your old clothes and dont mind
the dog jumping up for a smooch), this 'random reward', continues to
strengthen the behaviour.  Remember that random rewards are actually the
fastest way to 'set' a behaviour to keep it happening (think of a poker
machine).

If you want her to stop jumping up, I suggest instead of telling her what
not to do, give her something else to do instead.  For example, teach her
that to get attention and pats she needs to sit.  After all, she cant jump
up and sit at the same time! <g>.

For a while, make her sit  every time you want to pat/cuddle her.  Make it
rewarding for her to sit.  When she looks like she is coming towards you to
jump up (usually you can get some idea when they are preparing to do it),
ask her to sit and praise/pat/reward her for doing it.  If you are a bit
slow and she is already on her way up in a jump, instead of letting her get
al the way up and pushing her off, turn away, dont make eye contact, dont
touch her with your hands, dont talk to her and quickly move away from her.
This way she gets no reward from the action.  Once she is 4 paws on the
ground again (as you have walked out from under her 'hug') turn to face her,
happily ask her to sit, and then when she does, give her the attention she
wants.

HTH

Tracy Bassett
Murrumbateman, Australia
espinay@bigpond.com



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