Stop Your Dog From Jumping With These Tips

When dogs meet, they sniff each other’s faces. They like to do the same thing when greeting us, so it’s perfectly natural for dogs to jump up on us to try to reach our faces and get our attention.

While it is still a sign of affection, it is not exactly polite, and some people don’t appreciate a jumping dog. Also, allowing your dog to jump on people can be dangerous. Someone could end up scratched and bruised. A child or frail adult can be knocked down and seriously injured. Everyone knows that a fuzzy puppy is just too cute to resist.but we forget that cute behavior in a puppy can become a real nuisance when he grows up.

If you have a jumping pupper, you will do well to know some tips that will help redirect that excitement into something more appropriate. He can still greet all his human friends with the same level of love and affection, but it does not have to include jumping up.

Do not engage or interact a dog that is jumping

When your dog starts jumping around or jumping on you when you arrive, dog trainers recommend not responding. There are three different and important types of communication and rewards which dogs look for, and these are physical, visual, and verbal. When you deny him these communication forms or rewards, it will be a sign for him that his action at that moment (his jumping) is unacceptable behavior.

The only time that you should turn your attention to your dog is when he finally stops jumping (which is usually when he sees that he is not getting the results that he wants because of it). Take caution, though: when you finally respond to your dog and shower him with too much attention, there is a risk that he will get overly excited and start jumping again.

Teach your dog how to perform a new trick or skill

When you see your dog jumping, you may feel the urge to correct that kind of behavior. However, you need to refrain from doing so. Dog trainers recommend that the better thing to do is to teach him something new instead. When the dog starts jumping, teach the dog how to ‘back up’ – a command that you can execute when the undesirable behavior begins to show. When he follows, then that is the only time that you can pet him.

Teaching a dog how to back up goes like this: get his leash and drape it in front of your dog, and then put your foot onto the leash, taking care to show some slack. Stand up straight, and then in a cheerful voice say “back up” to your dog, stepping closer to him as you do so and sliding your foot as well as the leash forward.

Also put out one hand like it is a stop sign while you move into your dog’s space and he begins to move back. This is a very useful trick because when the dog starts to jump at any time during the “back up” process, your foot stepping on the leash will prevent him from jumping as high as he wants.

Follow up on this action by saying “watch” or by giving a “sit” command, and then pet him when he performs this. The “back up” command is also very useful when you find yourself in a situation where there is a possibility that he might jump, allowing you to prevent it. You may also use praise or treats to reward your dog for following your command and demonstrating acceptable behavior.

Do not push or lean over the jumping dog

There might be the desire on your part to physically prevent a dog from jumping by leaning over or pushing him, but you are probably going to send the wrong message when you do this. Instead of communicating your disapproval for the inappropriate jumping behavior, the dog might understand it as something that you like to do because you touched him.

Touch is usually something that a dog takes as a sign of approval, and you might find him leaning against you as a result instead of stopping because he might think that you want to play or wrestle.

Stand as if you were a tree

If your dog is really the excitable kind and still continues to jump even after you have implemented these tips, the last thing you should do is to stand very straight and tall like a tree. Cross your arms, then tilt your head up to look at the sky or the ceiling, and stop moving. Keep doing that until your dog has finally stopped jumping. When he stops, make one step forward.

If your dog begins the jumping behavior again, assume the tree stance again until he stops. Keep doing this until your dog realizes that if he wants to interact with you or if he wants you to finally acknowledge him, then he should stop the jumping behavior. Over time he will get this and you will begin to see the behavior that you want.

Some dogs who get extremely excited when greeting people may find it easier to grab a toy to shake or hold, rather than sit for petting. If this sounds like your dog, keep a toy by the front door. When you come home, open the door and immediately direct your dog’s attention to the toy or throw it for him. Do the same thing for your dog when visitors come to your home.

If your dog jumps on you when you’re sitting:

If you are sitting and your dog jumps up on you, stand up. Don’t talk to your dog or push him away. Just ignore him until all four feet are on the ground.

Some dogs are easily trainable and will learn not to jump within a few days of following these tips. Other dogs may be more stubborn, and it will take a longer time before they finally understand that you do not approve of their jumping.

Remember These Basics When Greeting Your Dog

• Keep your attention and your hands away from your dog unless his front feet are on the floor.
• Immediately give your dog attention and petting the instant his front feet land on the floor.

What NOT to Do

• Do not become excited when you greet your dog. The calmer you are, the calmer your dog will be.
• Do not shout at your dog when he jumps up on you or others. Shouting will just make him more excited and cause more jumping up.
• Do not try to grab your dog or push him away. Doing that could cause more jumping up.
• Do not knee your dog in the chest, step on his back toes, grab or pinch his front toes, or otherwise cause him pain or discomfort. If you do, you’ll frighten and hurt your dog, and he still won’t have learned how to politely greet people.

Be firm but loving, and never use a harsh voice when teaching your dog.  And remember, always reward good behavior!