Help with Red Setter

ElizaK

Hi,

I have an 8 month old irish red setter who's full of energy and excitement.
But be has a bad habit of getting very excited around people, jumping up on them and licking them. This licking then proceeds to biting.

He has knocked the children over when he jumps up on them so its getting to be a bit of a problem. He's growing so fast and getting so strong that I'm afraid he'll seriously hurt someone soon.

Also, he is beginning to bite. Especially ankles or feet.

I've been putting him on his leash when other people are around, to stop him from jumping on them. Is there a better way to train him? Is this a phrase that puppies go through, will he grow out of it?

This is my first dog so I am a bit inexperienced. Any tips?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Eliza

Cherry Blossom

Have you taken the dog to basic obedience and socialisation classes?

ElizaK

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

Have you taken the dog to basic obedience and socialisation classes?

I got a private training class from a reputable dog trainer but this is only a recent thing that he has started to do.

bluecherry74

Hi Eliza,

I have an 8 month old English Setter and they can be a bit on the lively side all right :-) I'm going through the same problems as you, but with lots of consistency and patience we're getting there.

With the biting, I followed advice I read here on boards.ie - when he bites, let out a loud yelp and immediately, but slowly, withdraw your hand or foot and ignore him for 10 to 20 seconds. (I say slowly because if you jerk away quickly he'll most likely think it's a game). If he bites again, put him in a "time out" in a utility room or downstairs bathroom for around a minute. It'll take some time but eventually he will figure out that biting hurts and that no one will play with him when he does it.

The jumping up on people can be a bit tough to put a stop to, but consistency is key here. What I've done is only pet my pup when he's sitting. If he's jumping about he gets ignored - I just turn my back or if I'm sitting on the sofa I lean sideways away from him and tell him to sit. As soon as he sits, he gets praise and affection. It's taking a while, but it's definitely working! Now he'll often run up to me and sit without being told.

Would it be possible for you to bring your dog along to a group training/socialization class? The more time he spends meeting new people and new dogs, the less excited he'll get. Or if there's a park nearby where other people walk their dogs you could try taking him there.

Hopefully this will help a bit!

Fiona

ElizaK

I've tried doing that - yelping, ignoring and consequently putting him outside for about 10 mins. It makes no difference. I've been doing this for about 2 months now. I think he likes outside - maybe that's where I'm going wrong. On about the third time, he will come inside and stop doing it. But its like he doesn't learn. He'll do the same thing again the following day.

Regarding the jumping - when he jumps on me, I turn my back on him. But it makes no difference. He'll just jump on my back. But then sometimes I will give in and end up giving him lots of attention - he just melts my heart. So I am part of the problem here. I'll try be better and more consistent with it.

Not really possible at the moment for socialization classes. But I will try to have him interact with others from now on. Other than walks, he hasn't had much interaction with others so I'll make this a priority.

Thanks Fiona, this is great advice. I appreciate it.

Eliza

tk123

My friends setter is a jumper. I trained him not to jump on me by turning my back and folding my arms until he sat down - then he got a treat. That said.. he still jumps on random people because his mammy and daddy haven't trained him out of it and like him jumping on them?! So you need to be a bit tougher lol!!

ElizaK

tk123,

Thanks, I'll try that. I know the feeling - but am reaassured that he doesn't jump on you now! I'll take that advice. Maybe carry a treat in my car for when I get home and getting out of my car.

It is the best feeling in the world though, to have my little puppy feel so happy to see you. So I can see why your friends love him jumping up!

Thanks again.

marley123

Would definately recommend some socialisation classes or even doggy daycare as in the right facility you should see the benefit of him interacting with other dogs etc... the jumping needs to be knocked in the head - turn your back & ignore him as even if you are giving out to him for doing it its still attention regardless of the fact it is negative attention.. If the Pup is excited on peoples arrival suggest you either use a babygate between rooms & he is allowed in when he calms down or else keep him on a lead until he settles slightly.

ElizaK wrote: »

Hi,

I have an 8 month old irish red setter who's full of energy and excitement.
But be has a bad habit of getting very excited around people, jumping up on them and licking them. This licking then proceeds to biting.

He has knocked the children over when he jumps up on them so its getting to be a bit of a problem. He's growing so fast and getting so strong that I'm afraid he'll seriously hurt someone soon.

Also, he is beginning to bite. Especially ankles or feet.

I've been putting him on his leash when other people are around, to stop him from jumping on them. Is there a better way to train him? Is this a phrase that puppies go through, will he grow out of it?

This is my first dog so I am a bit inexperienced. Any tips?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Eliza

ElizaK

Thanks Marley, it sounds like the classes would be for the best. While its not possible for us to attend them right now, I will try to attend some over the next few weeks.

Thanks for all your suggestions, I appreciate your help.

falabo

may I just say that attending classes is a good idea but you would have to be 100% commited i.e. paying for a set of 6 classes and attedning 3 or 4 is no good

On top of this you will have to practice at home in between weekly sessions. try and make yourself available and make nothing come in between this training, it's onyl for 6 or 8 weeks.

you WILL get results if you are consistant.

650Ginge

Dealing with Red Setter excitement is hard work. Patience and self discipline are the key. Red setters responds very negatively to aggression, they are very easily frightened. They are also dipsy, not to be confused with stupid because they are not stupid.

You need to get the dogs attention and maintain it but not for long as they quickly lose interest. Get there attention, discipline and move on. Then repeat repeat repeat.

Make sure they get loads of exercise, preferably of lead in a safe place. They really need it.

borderlinemeath

I live with two of the lunatics:D:D

Our first was far more of a jumper than the second, and even turning our back to her made her think it was a game. We had to keep putting her out of the room and eventually it got the message home. Now if she jumps she gets told to get onto her bed so she knows she should get down.

Our second however is a nipper. When he gets excited he starts mouthing my hands but a yelp usually does the trick. (really loud and doglike, and he looks up suprised). If he keeps persisting I grab one of his toys to distract him and it stops it.