Mouthing and Jumping
Thanks for all the advice with Chuck, my previous foster. He got homed, but sadly returned within a couple of days because the family decided they didn't want a dog after all (grrrr!). So now he's back in kennels :-( Wish we could have him back but he really needs a home where he can go for quiet walks without the constant risk of off lead dogs getting in his face. And we already have another foster so not possible. He pines in kennels so it's very sad :-(
Aaaaanyway, on to our new foster, Diva.
She's a beautiful German Shepherd x Husky (at the vet's guess, but I think there's collie in there too and possibly something smaller). She's very clever and has clearly been trained and loved (not obsessed with food, ok-ish with being left, pretty obedient, good with other dogs (if a bit keen)), but was found tied up outside a vet and has been in kennels for a few months.
1) Mouthing. When she's on the sofa sometimes she tries to get your attention by mouthing. It's gentle and in play, but I don't really want my trousers/t-shirt/arm nibbled. Any tips to get her to stop? I've tried giving her a toy instead, holding her mouth shut gently and getting off the sofa with mixed results, but I'm guessing I need to pick one method and be consistent, just not sure what is the best thing.
2) Recall. She has good recall inside and if you are outside with her (and even from the end of the extender), but doesn't come when she's in the garden and I need her to come inside. I give her lots of fuss and a yummy treat when she does come in but it still takes her an age, she just loves being in the garden.
3) Jumping. She jumps up on people. We're all good with ignoring her and she doesn't really do it at home much any more. But she jumps on strangers on walks, especially men who look like they might like her. Is it ok to tell them to ignore her? Most "doggy" people know what to do, but some people give her fuss while she's up there and I'm worried she'll do it to people who don't like dogs. She's not that heavy but quite tall so it could be quite alarming.
4) Barking. She barks a tiny bit at night (we leave her in the kitchen). Is it ok just to leave her? It seems to be working (last night I heard three barks in total before she shut up), but I don't want to psychologically scar her. She also barks at other dogs when she's nervous. At that point is it best to walk away or stay and reassure her?
And not a problem, but any fun games/tricks we could teach her? She knows sit, down, stay, roll (kinda), bed and gives both paws. She's learning "downstairs" (as she's not even supposed to be up there in the first place!) and could do with learning some kind of leave it/no command and possibly drop... my sister's tried leave it with a treat in fist and she's slowly getting the idea. But more fun showing off tricks would be great. Thanks!
Aaaaanyway, on to our new foster, Diva.
She's a beautiful German Shepherd x Husky (at the vet's guess, but I think there's collie in there too and possibly something smaller). She's very clever and has clearly been trained and loved (not obsessed with food, ok-ish with being left, pretty obedient, good with other dogs (if a bit keen)), but was found tied up outside a vet and has been in kennels for a few months.
1) Mouthing. When she's on the sofa sometimes she tries to get your attention by mouthing. It's gentle and in play, but I don't really want my trousers/t-shirt/arm nibbled. Any tips to get her to stop? I've tried giving her a toy instead, holding her mouth shut gently and getting off the sofa with mixed results, but I'm guessing I need to pick one method and be consistent, just not sure what is the best thing.
2) Recall. She has good recall inside and if you are outside with her (and even from the end of the extender), but doesn't come when she's in the garden and I need her to come inside. I give her lots of fuss and a yummy treat when she does come in but it still takes her an age, she just loves being in the garden.
3) Jumping. She jumps up on people. We're all good with ignoring her and she doesn't really do it at home much any more. But she jumps on strangers on walks, especially men who look like they might like her. Is it ok to tell them to ignore her? Most "doggy" people know what to do, but some people give her fuss while she's up there and I'm worried she'll do it to people who don't like dogs. She's not that heavy but quite tall so it could be quite alarming.
4) Barking. She barks a tiny bit at night (we leave her in the kitchen). Is it ok just to leave her? It seems to be working (last night I heard three barks in total before she shut up), but I don't want to psychologically scar her. She also barks at other dogs when she's nervous. At that point is it best to walk away or stay and reassure her?
And not a problem, but any fun games/tricks we could teach her? She knows sit, down, stay, roll (kinda), bed and gives both paws. She's learning "downstairs" (as she's not even supposed to be up there in the first place!) and could do with learning some kind of leave it/no command and possibly drop... my sister's tried leave it with a treat in fist and she's slowly getting the idea. But more fun showing off tricks would be great. Thanks!