Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue

I need help with ideas to reinforce better manners when strangers come to house. Bea has always greeted by jumping, I was told that this habit would be next to impossible to break, since she was over 6 when I adopted her--a Katrina rescue. Otis is about 80 lbs. has been very good til recently when he decided to change his behavior to match Miss Bea's. 80 lbs. of jump when visitors come is over the top. Thanks to higher powers that they do not do this jumping on my 84 yo mother when she stayed with me recently. She insisted on walking them and says they are "perfect" grand-dogs. Why jumping on me and other friends and not frailer Mom? How to control this better. Should I stage lots of "visitors" and keep on lead and have a training session 3-4 days per week?

So far, I have tried putting both on lead and then rewarding when they stay put. However, the learning seems to fade as soon as someone new comes. Another glitch is at times, I am outside when people come and dogs are off lead.

My creativity is lagging and new training ideas would be ever so welcome.

You can teach old dogs new tricks. When Bea or Otis jumps on you it is to gain your attention and are rewarded by getting attention, even if it is a scolding. When they look like they are ready to jump on them, quickly turn your back to them and ignore them. Tell them to sit and when they do, turn back and reward them with lots of attention. It takes a few times, but they will very quickly get the message. It is amazing how well they understand the body language.

- Maryellen Miller
MABCR Volunteer

Absolutely, older dogs can be taught!

I got Suka not long ago, aged seven, and in a very short time, she's come to understand what I want from her. When she went to jump up, I initially put my hands behind my back and turned away from her - The "hands behind my back" was to remind ME not to push her away - the hand contact from that was a reward to her! Within days, she started to recall her manners as soon as my hands *started* to move behind my back - I didn't intend for this to happen that way, but the command for Suka to get off/not jump up has become just that; to put my hands behind my back! No verbal command necessary, I just start the motion, and she sits right down!

The trick to training an older dog, as I've learned (with plenty of help!) to use on Suka, is to be consistent, to catch them in the act that you want to modify or encourage, and to let the dog make the right choices - If you correct a behavior, the dog will try something else. When they hit the behavior you want, reward it! If you see a behavior you want to encourage, label it and reward it: "Good sit!" "Good down!" and so on. Suka and I have quite a way to go together yet, but she's already learned enough that she fits right into the household, and even my not-terribly- dog-friendly wife has fallen in love with her and her good behavior.

Now, in no way, shape, or form am I a skilled trainer, but I do have an older dog, and I can see that she *can* be trained! I would expect that yours can be, too. Patience, and practice, practice, practice!

- Laird Cummings
MABCR Volunteer