Jumpy barking at customers

[cattleking]

I have an Australian cattle dog, 7 months old. I own a repair shop and he terrorizes the customers. Not mean, but overly friendly. Jumpy and if he's held back he'll bark at them. Even if I close the door to the shop and keep him out of the office, he'll bark the entire time and we cannot have a conversation. It's so bad I may have to sell my half of the shop to my partner who cannot take it anymore. I've tried everything I have read, it nothing phases him one bit. Need Help!

[eyeluvdogs]

Hi there,

Thank you for your post. How great that you can take your dog to work with you! However, I am sure it gets very frustrating when he will not stop jumping on your clients, or barking when he does not get his own way.

Firstly, you should make sure that you are the boss by reading and using the Alpha techniques. In doing this, you will hopefully find that your dog is more likely to listen to you when you issue commands.

Next, you might have to try some training sessions. If possible get some helpers to visit you at your place of work. Whenever your dog jumps up at them, get them to lift a knee up. If he stops jumping, praise and treat him.

Practice putting your dog in a down-stay. Make him stay for at least 5 minutes. If he breaks the down-stay, bring him back to the down-stay until he gets the idea that he needs to listen to you. Try to have daily obedience lessons with him.

Try taking your dog for a brisk walk or run before your work day starts. Hopefully if he is tired, he will have less energy to jump all over your clients.

You could also try the time out method, however if he barks loudly and consistently while you are trying to talk to your clients, this one might not work so well.

All the best!

[cattleking]

Thanks for the advice! Using the knee has been tried since he was 3months, doesnt seem to phase him a bit. Somewhere along the way I feel like my Alpa status was lost. I never let him get away with anything, nor do I ever let him win a game against me. I think I will go to a trainer, some outside help may throw a new perspective on it. I do need to teach him the down stay. He can sit and stay, but will endlessly bark as if telling me "hey I don't want this". Thanks for your input, I'll try some of the advice.