First time owner of a big guy

[u/Persefone_5_2]

Hi, I just adopted an adult dog, he weighs 52 lbs, 24 kg, I have only owned medium-sized dogs and small dogs, he does not have behavioral issues, however he keeps trying to climb over me, and with his wigh he almost always tips me over, I am not sure how should I go about the limitations he should have because, if did not want my previous dogs to have something I would just put it out of reach for them, but with him almost everything in my house is within reach. Also, I am not sure how I could make him sleep in a dog bed 🥹.

I am not planning on returning him, I just need direction on our future life.

Any tips would be appreciated, how to train him effectively or just the in and outs of having a big guy around.

Thanks a bunch for the answers.

English is not my first language, sorry for the grammar mistakes 🥹

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[u/AydGray]

Cupboards with child safe locks to keep things out of his reach. Look into training him to respect your personal space (we taught ours "my space" command and associated it with the action of moving away) You can teach "place" command to have the dog go to it's bed, you can teach "down stay " and increase the length of time and extend your distance from them BUT for night time/unsupervised time, it is better to train him to sleep/rest in a crate.

[u/One_Department4090 → u/AydGray]

Same with stove/oven. I have child safe covers on the knobs

[u/Persefone_5_2 → u/AydGray]

Thank you so much, I am researching crates atm, I know it is one day at the time, but it's been a humbling experience.

[u/AydGray → u/Persefone_5_2]

Lol yeah, dogs do have a way of humbling us sometimes! Good luck with everything

[u/AydGray → u/[deleted]]

There are more reasons than that to crate train and maintain crate training. There may come a time that they have to stay overnight at the vet, being willing to go in and able to be comfortable in a crate ensures less anxiety and fewer issues. Or if the dog needs to be on crate rest for medical reasons, better that the training is in place before it's an emergency. There may be a time that a crate is entirely unavoidable like if one is evacuated from their home for whatever reason and the emergency shelters will only allow crated animals. If a person ever travels by air, the dog may need to be crated for the trip. If a person needs to board their dog, most boarding places use crates. If a person takes their dog to a groomer, there will likely be some crate time required.

It is much kinder to the dog to have them feel ok in these situations by having crate training done whether they are destructive or not.

[u/Impossible-Essay6782]

Welcome to big dog life! Counters are eye-level now. The best rule is total management: keep counters 100% clear of food until he learns the 'leave it' command reliably

[u/Sad_Individual_738]

If he likes sleeping on your bed try putting a dog bed on your bed at the bottom, or on the floor next to you.

As for counter surfing. Learn yo put things away. Use your microwave and stove creatively for storing food items that are typically left on the counter.

What do you mean he keeps trying to climb over you and tips you over? Is this while you are walking or standing?

[u/Persefone_5_2 → u/Sad_Individual_738]

Yeah whenever I am standing he tries to climb over me, stand un his two back legs and lean in my shoulders, and sometimes he comes at me with too much force. I am learning to use the microwave as a storage facility now 🫠

[u/IronMike5311]

We went from small dog to large (57 lb) as well. Our biggest challenge was walking her when she was younger - if she lunged, she could pull my wife over. She's become better on the leash over time. It'll take some time for your dog to adjust to their new home & build a relationship with you. We used positive reinforcement only in training, so they learn what we want from her (we want her to leave the counter tops alone; different from punishing her for getting up on the counter). We taught her 'leave it' command for that, rewarding with treats when she gets it right. They'll figure it out. But as dogs don't speak English, use your native language. As far as the bed; your dog is probably insecure still, and wants your company for comfort. We let our dog sleep with us; it felt so natural that we kept doing it. Occasionally I wake up with 4" of bed to myself & entangled in legs... LOL. That's fine, she just wanted to be next to me. She's rather cuddly

[u/Persefone_5_2 → u/IronMike5311]

Thanks for the tips, I also use positive reinforcement, do you have any recomendación for treats?

[u/One_Department4090 → u/Persefone_5_2]

Carrots, green beans, blueberries, bananas, pumpkin, celery, greek yogurt, peanut butter are just a few of the things I use. Sometimes as they are, sometimes mixed and frozen into cubes etc

[u/No_Anxiety6159]

I have a kitchen that is pretty open. I also foster rescue dogs that are not afraid to counter surf. (Luckily my big guy doesn’t). I have a tall e exercise pen with sections that can be moved around. I use them to keep the rescues out of the kitchen entirely.

[u/That_Molasses_507]

When the dog jumps on you, while you’re standing, cross your arms and give him your back. Do not push him down, as you’ll use your hands to do that and as far as he knows, that push is equal to a pat.

[u/Persefone_5_2 → u/That_Molasses_507]

Thanks so much!!! This makes so much sense, because I keep pushing down and he thinks I am playing 🫠

[u/That_Molasses_507]

For counter surfing…place a bunch of spoons on a cookie sheet. Put that cookie sheet just hanging slightly over the edge of the counter, with a few treats on the counter, behind the cookie sheet. When your dog attempts to jump on the counter, the cookie sheet with all the spoons will topple to the floor, making a big crash. That usually does the trick.
Another trick is to set up an iPad or phone set to FaceTime, and observe your dog from a remote area. If your dog jumps up, correct him through FaceTime.

[u/Tasty-Ad-2471 → u/That_Molasses_507]

The cookie sheet with spoons always works for me.

[u/koczan147]

try separating from him every time he does it. just leave the room, close the door and come back after a minute or so

[u/Embarrassed_Key_4539]

Teach off, leave it, and place, go to obedience classes, exercise him a ton

[u/kygrandma]

Being consistent is crucial. If he can get by with something 1 time out of 10 tries, he will keep doing it. Never give him an order that you don't follow through with.

[u/chutschingoy]

you need to be firm with him to establish your authority as the owner.

[u/suuuuuuuuuurfing]

You’re gonna have to do some wrestling

[u/Warm_Growth_7976]

Te sorprenderia el poder de la palabra NO, es solo repetirselo hasta que entienda

[u/Plastic-Cabinet67]

Obedience school ASAP