very excited

Posted by djhawkins4320
Feb 6, 2010
My husband and I resuced a terrier mix female dog about 4 years ago.
I don't know her background, but she is a very lovable happy dog.
My problem is that she is too excited when someone comes over, especially Grandma, and Grandpa.
I can get her to sit when they come in the door, but the minute I release her, she jumps up on them, and will not calm down. She is always in motion. She can not sit still for any length on time. We make her get down from where we are sitting, but she is right back up the second her feet hit the floor.
I watch "It's Me or the Dog" and I am starting to have people physically get up and turn away from her whenever she jumps up. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
I know she is just excited to see everyone, but some people don't want her up in their face all the time.
Posted by kjd
Feb 6, 2010
Congratulations on your rescue, djhawkins4320!

I like to watch Victoria Stillwell too. Do you release her while she is still excited? You should keep her sitting, or, preferably, lying down, until she is calm. I think you feel you have a tiger by the tail -- she is just waiting for you to release her tail so she can attack! (In a friendly way, of course.) Try keeping her in place until she calms down. Another suggestion from Victoria would be to keep her behind a baby gate. Once she has calmed down, have the visitor get up and move around, without paying attention to her. When she is calm, behind the gate, the visitor would approach quietly (turning away if there is any excitement) and then toss her a treat with a "Good girl!}, immediately continuing their movement around the room. [Hey, djhawkins, I am taking this directly from a show I saw, so I might not have it 100% right.]

I don't know if you ever noticed, but Cesar Milan always prefaces his show with a "Do not do without professional advice," while Victoria doesn't. I think the difference is, Victoria's advice is not dangerous, Cesar's can be.

Good luck and tell us if Victoria's 2nd-hand advice helps,
kjd