When a dog starts jumping on its owner or forcefully pulling to go outside due to overwhelming emotions, it can create discomfort for both the owner and those around. It is important to know how to interact with the pet correctly to avoid exacerbating the situation.
Distract the Dog with Food
In moments of overexcitement, you can calm your dog by offering it a treat. The best options are treats like food in a Kong, frozen treats, or long-lasting chews from a pet store. This will help distract the pet for a while and calm it down. If the dog is overexcited outside, you can hide pieces of treats in different places: in the bark of a tree or on the nearest bench.
Do Not Reinforce Excitability
Your reaction may unintentionally encourage the dog. For example, if it is eager to go for a walk and cannot resist by the door, allowing it to go outside in that state may reinforce this behavior. It is important to wait until the pet calms down, stands by the door, and waits for a command from the owner before going for a walk.
Speak to the Dog in a Calm Voice
The pace and tone of your speech affect the dog's behavior. When you enthusiastically praise the pet, it may jump with joy. Speaking calmly, slowly, and smoothly will help it calm down. In moments of overexcitement, start speaking to the pet very slowly and monotonously, stretching out words and avoiding raising your voice and intonation shifts.
Repeat Commands
If your dog knows certain commands well, try repeating them in moments of overexcitement to distract the animal. Say a command, such as “Sit!”, wait for the pet to respond and follow the request, and then praise it. It is important to choose commands that promote calm responses, such as “Lie down!”, “Stay!”, “Bunny!”.
All the methods listed will help during moments of overexcitement, but they will not correct the dog's behavior in the future. For that, it is necessary to understand the causes of overexcitement, work with the pet only in a calm state, and approach this issue regularly and systematically.
