I need some advice urgently please

[pussycat]

I walk a Golden Retriever for a disabled lady daily. She is a lovely dog, she is 18 months old. I go into the ladies house and put the dogs lead on, I only do this once she has sat down. Sometimes the owner wants to talk to me and the minute she starts talking the dog has a head fit, she not only jumps all over me but grabs me with her front paws, I have scratches with bruises. I have tried turning my back and ignoring her but she just gets me from behind and really hurts. I have tried a bottle with stones in to shake, this worked for a little while but she got use to it. If I try to stop her jumping then she thinks I am playing and I really am not. This is a difficult one as other carers go into the home through the day for the lady and some of them let her jump up. I really need some advice on what I can do as I am now 4 months preganant so can not allow her to dothis to me anymore but do not want to stop walking her. Please Any advice will be gretaly appreciated.

[glaiza]

Hi.

Dog jumping can indeed be annoying, especially if she isn't your own dog and you may feel that its out of your jurisdiction. What you can do first is to communicate with the owned that you want to do something about the dog's jumping - tell her that it bruises and scratches you and that you getting concerned - more so now that you are pregnant. I'm sure the owner will understand.

What you do next is to make sure the dog knows that jumping is wrong. Say 'No' and get her off you. Be firm with your tone. You can also start saying 'no' the first time that you see her when you come in to walk her. Don't push her away too hard nor should you hurt her - that just doesnt accomplish anything.

Also, it may be great help if you can talk to the other carers in the house about not letting the dog jump on them - I'm sure that most of them don't like it either.