Stop jumping

It's very quiet around here. Presley and Diesel went to their Daddy's house yesterday for a few days.

When Steve came over to pick up the girls, Scott and I tried a little experiment. We tried to let Steve get in the door without the girls jumping all over him. We are having family over for Christmas and I'd like the greetings to be a little more civil, but we've been very lazy in this area of training. It's quite unpleasant for most people when they visit us because they get jumped on and pushed around by two big, overly enthusiastic dogs. Steve is the perfect person to help train the girls because they probably jump all over him the most.

When Steve came in, we kept the girls on their leashes and kept their attention with treats. Bristol stayed in her crate. It's too hard to train three dogs at once, especially when we don't know exactly what we're doing.

Presley and Diesel actually did very well. Of course, they were so happy to see their Daddy but we remained calm and assertive (just like the "dog whisperer" Cesar Millan suggests). Steve was able to get in the door, through the living room and into the kitchen without being attacked. Granted, the attacks are with hugs and kisses, but not everyone appreciates this type of affection.

Bristol seems a little lonely without her big sisters. Since day one, she has been Diesel's shadow around the house and in the yard. During naps, she likes to cuddle up to Presley. It's so cute how quickly she has bonded with them, but I'm not sure they feel exactly the same way about her. Sometimes she can be a bit too much.

Diesel likes to play tug-of-war and chase with Bristol, but she doesn't like it when Bristol jumps all over her. I think Presley likes to watch them and sometimes jump in for a little tugging or chasing of her own, but she doesn't like it when Bristol jumps all over her either. Hmmm, I sense a pattern.