He sounds like a lovely (and lucky!) dog. When he jumps, turn around and ignore him. Do not respond any other way. We train dogs to sit when they meet people or want to get petted with positive reinforcement (treats and affirmations!).

Adoptable: Not aggressive towards people, children or other animals. It is difficult to test that or change that if they already are. Not food or toy guarding (resource-guarding). It is really good to teach him basic commands, like sit, down, stay and leash walking.

The best way to stop the habit of jumping is to teach him basic obedience. The link below describes how to use the sit/stay to break the jumping habit.

Most other techniques are short-term and short-lived.......and the dog continues the habit.

Google for more info on basic obedience if you've never taught it. Also be prepared to use a collar and leash during training.

Here is a link that might be useful: jumping

First of all, I checked the other thread. Thanks for taking in this sweetie and trying to find him a great home. Have you tried any lab rescues yet for help?

Sadly, those older puppies have a much harder time getting adopted. So, the more obedience training you can give him the better. Then he can be listed with all the things he can do, rather than those he can't!

The way to break the jumping up is to fold your arms turn your back and ignore him until all four paws are on the ground. Anything else will reinforce it. We like clicker training here reinforced by treats. If he is smart, he'll pick up any number of things.
How is he on a leash? Is he food protective? Can he sit on command? How is his recall? All good things to work on.

But honestly, and I know I sound cynical, the major deal breaker for many people willing to adopt those older (not so fluffy) animals will be "is he housebroken?" I know you say he is outdoors now because of the cats and other dogs, but the housebreaking thing is a real biggy. Any way at all that you can get him indoors without risk to the other pets so that you can work on it?

Good luck. And thanks again for taking him in. I wish I could take him, but my inn is full.

Hi, thanks for the good suggestions.

The lab rescue in our state will only accept purebreds and he is not - but he sure acts just like any lab I've known and looks like one (the vet said he had something else in his genetics, not sure what - his legs are a little short).

I never would have thought of ignoring as a non-jump training tool - thanks. And also the link is helpful, thanks annz. He isn't resource guarding. Not aggressive. He's a real sweetie and tag-wagger. And I'm not a dog person although when our collie was dumped a few years ago I became sort of one. I don't think he has been taught any basic commands at all so we will have to teach him.

Our other dog that was dumped a few years ago already had been trained so we haven't dealt w/that. We have been cat persons in the past, so we are deficient in knowing how to train dogs.

I'll ask the rescue people that we are working w/about the housebreaking part and see if they can come up with something. 2 big dogs in the house would just be impossible and once we let him in, wouldn't it be seen as punishment to make him stay out again? He is staying in an outdoor dog house which is custom built (husband made it for the first dog until we added onto the house) and insulated in a fenced in area).
The only other thing I can think of is an outdoor enclosed porch we could lock him in at night - would that count as housebreaking?

One other suggestion........enroll him in an obedience class. It will allow you and him to learn the new skills together.
Also, a pup that young needs to burn off lots of energy so either take him on long walks/runs or play a game of frisbee or 'retrieve the ball'.

Most of the jumping problem is probably built-up energy. Before working on obedience do something that uses up all that excess energy.........it'll allow him to concentrate better! ;)

I prefer to adopt older dogs because I don't have the time or energy to deal with housebreaking a puppy.

If I met your dog, I would not adopt him for the following reasons:

1. I don't know if he gets along with other pets. You have other pets and there must be a reason this dog is outside while your kids are inside. I assume that it is because you do not trust him with your kids. If you don't trust him with your kids, I sure as heck am not going to trust him with mine.

2. I am over housebreaking adult dogs. All my dogs were rescued as adults, one was an outdoor dog all her life (6-8 years) and she was VERY difficult to housetrain. If I wanted to deal with housebreaking a dog, I'd get an 8 week old puppy.

3. He may be destructive in the house. My Tatyana was nicely housebroken by her foster mom, and got along great with her other Husky friends, their cats, and even their children. But she didn't get along with being left alone, and destroyed several rugs and 2 pieces of furniture. I want to know the dog has at least some manners in a house.

If all those other conditions were met, I wouldn't mind the jumping thing. That's easy to train. But not in addition to housebreaking, possibly not getting along with other dogs, and possibly being destructive. I know you think the dog would be fine in the house but there's no proof of that. I don't have a fenced yard so if he wasn't fine in the house I'd be screwed.

That's just my own situation. Obviously if someone wanted an outdoor dog, he'd be fine, especially if they didn't have kids or other pets.

The dogs that get adopted the fastest are the ones that don't have any issues and that appeal to the greatest number of people. There are several things about this dog that eliminate potential adopters from wanting him. The more you can correct, the better chance he has on being adopted.

What makes a pet adoptable??? Oh this one is easy - Needing to be adopted.

I saw your other topic and I'm so happy to hear you're helping the little guy out. :) It's true there are a ton of lab mixes out there, but some are a lot easier to place than others. He's a young dog which is a huge plus.

Things that help considerably in placing dogs fast:
- house-broken
- some basic obedience or at least good manners
- interested in people and approachable
- socialized and friendly disposition

Even being able to say "walks nicely on leash" or "loves playing fetch" will be helpful, if you don't have time to perfect basic obedience.

If housebreaking is just not an option, then compile as much information as you can about him to provide a rescue or potential adopter. A detailed and honest picture of his personality will help considerably.

People will know what issues they are dealing with or not.

Common concerns examples: How does he deal with _____ ?
- cats
- other dogs
- kids
- other animals
- loud noises
- new places
- busy household
- being left alone
- crates
- car rides
- traffic
- fences (aka is he an escape artist?)
- etc

If you can give him some one-on-one time inside, just to see how he reacts and to add to the list above.