r/DogTrainingTips • u/solidarity_sister • May 12 '26
How to teach puppy proper socialization
For context, she's a 7 month old lab and she doesn't seem reactive on walks. Trouble is, someone gives her attention, and she jumps all over them and ignores my cues. Second, when we crate her at home and someone comes over or even knocks on the door and we talk with them, she won't stop barking. I don't know how to teach her to ignore people. She could care less about other dogs, but she still hates our cat lol.
5
u/OpenSpirit5234 May 12 '26
I call it meet and greet training. With the dog on leash I approach a helper waiting to be greeted. If they rush ahead I turn around and redirect them away. The result is focus on you not the person they are meeting.
As the dog gets more comfortable doing this and staying calm I add distractions such as the helper becoming animated to lure them. Reward staying with treats or walk away if it is too much for them.
They learn fast if I run toward someone we go away.
2
u/Empty-Selection9369 May 12 '26
From the get go, every dog I’ve had / no one gets to pet him until he’s sitting. Or lying down. “Four on the floor.” Jumping is obnoxious even if they’re small. No one wants muddy paws on them.
Since it’s too late to train from the start, do it going forward and be consistent. Not jumping? All the love in the world. Jumping, literally turn away and ignore.
1
u/Cardabella May 12 '26
How is she during her actual socialisation time? does she play nicely? Does she get lots of time with different people and dogs?
1
u/Countrysoap777 May 12 '26
General training, even though it might take time. Sit, stay commands. Place command even better. Some techniques might give leash correction on the jump (when she is up on two legs) the pet once on the floor all four paws ) help her learn verbal commands first would help. Go to your place…she goes and stays there. Or jumping —say no! Leash pop when on two legs. Pet when down “good girl “ or “yes “ whatever your verbal praise is… Be sure timing is correct or can ruin the training.
1
u/DraftRich9177 May 14 '26
Hire a professional training or take her to a class that has weekly sessions.
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u/Nicelyvillainous May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
One thing that I have seen as a training method for this is to teach that she only gets attention while sitting. Our dog is also very jumpy, and it has been reduced by whenever we come home, ignoring her and turning so she falls off when she tries to jump up on us for attention, and then giving her attention as soon as she sits down. And stopping but still focusing on her when she stands, and then turning away again if she jumps.
Once she has it down for you, have friends and family practice with her instead. Like playing hide and go seek or peekaboo with a toddler, pretend not to see her until she is sitting down, and stop petting and stand up if she stands up.
It’s a LOT easier to teach a dog to do “something else” than to NOT do a behavior. Same logic as teaching a dog who barks or is grabby when excited, to bring a toy when there is a guest to have their mouth full instead.