Hyper Greeting at Door

Question
My 8 month old mini-Schnauzer (re-homed with us for 1 month; first owner says she was too aggressive?) has two personalities. Most of the time she is calm and listens. But, whenever I return home from an outing she becomes a wild Banshee. She jumps, mouths, paws, whines etc. I ignore her, I turn my back to her, I say no. I try to get her into sit. Nothing works. She is wild and uncontrollable. I go outside and she continues the same behavior. When she doesn't get attention from me she turns on our 10 year-old blind mini who is patiently tolerant, but I hate to see him being bull dozed. Any ideas?

Second question. Same puppy. She walks beautifully until she sees a person coming in opposite direction. Then she stops like a statue and I have to drag her to move her. She won't walk again until the person passes. At home, she is timid if other people come in, but ok with other dogs. Any ideas on this one too? Thanks a lot.

Answer
Marcia, she is still a puppy, and you've only had her a month. Whenever you come home, ignore her completely. If you need to, put your older dog in another room behind a baby gate until she calms down, so that she doesn't jump all over him. He will only be patient and tolerant for so long, if you don't take charge and 'protect' him from her puppy rudeness. ;^)

When I say ignore her, I mean it. Do not look at her, talk to her, or try to touch her. Do not offer her a treat, do not try to put a leash on her. NOTHING. Wait until she has completely given up on you, and gone off and layed down. THEN, you can go over to her or softly call her to you (making her sit when she gets to you) for some gentle, low key petting. Just a few strokes, though; you don't want to amp her up again! The first few times it will take much longer for her to chill out, but if you are consistent, she will soon begin to figure out that she does not get any attention by acting like a fool, and the duration of her hyperness will diminish.



Do not drag her if she stops while on a walk. Instead, give quick 'jerks' on the leash and when she looks at you and/or starts to take a step forward, praise her and encourage her to come along. When she starts towards you, stop the leash pops, but if she stops again, start popping the leash again until she comes forward. Bring treats with you to give her when she catches up to you, and use them to distract her as the other person passes, if you need to