Eliminating Inappropriate Jumping Behavior

Eliminating Inappropriate Jumping Behavior

Is your dog constantly jumping on people, leaving muddy paw prints and making greetings overwhelming? Don't worry, with a little patience and consistency, you can teach your furry friend to greet others politely. Here are some effective training tips to help you train your dog not to jump on people:

Set clear boundaries

Establishing clear boundaries is crucial when training your dog. Teach your dog that jumping on people is unacceptable behavior. Consistently reinforce this boundary by never allowing your dog to jump on you or anyone else. Be firm, yet gentle, and use a consistent cue such as "Off."

Avoid encouraging jumping behavior

Dogs often jump on people seeking attention. To curb this behavior you must avoid eye contact, verbal interaction, or physical touch when your dog jumps. These behaviors often inadvertently encourage the jumping behavior. Instead, give your dog the negative marker word, “eh eh” letting him know his behavior is not appropriate and give the “sit” cue which lets him know the behavior that will get him the attention he seeks. If that does not work, which it often doesn’t initially, place your arms to your chest and look away, signaling disinterest. Only provide attention and rewards the minute your dog has all four paws on the ground.

Utilize positive reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool in training dogs. Reward your dog with praise, treats, or toys when they keep all four paws on the ground during greetings. Create a positive association by using a specific cue, such as "Sit," and provide the positive marker word, “yes” followed by rewards in response to your dog following those cue.

Practice controlled greetings

Invite family members or friends to help you with controlled greetings. On-leash, have your dog sit or stay while the person approaches. If your dog tries to jump, have the person step back or turn around, signaling that the approach only occurs when your dog remains calm. Mark appropriate calm behavior with the”yes” marker word and reward the dog when he successfully maintains his position and greets others without jumping.

Provide alternative behaviors

Offering alternative behaviors can redirect your dog's jumping impulse. Teach your dog cues like "Sit" or "Shake" to replace jumping. Practice these cues consistently and request them during greetings. By offering an alternative behavior, you give your dog an outlet for their excitement while discouraging jumping.

Ensure Your Dog is Properly Exercised

If you have a dog that tends to jump excessively, incorporating appropriate exercise techniques can also greatly improve their behavior. As responsible dog owners, it is our duty to provide our furry friends with the balance of attention, exercise, and training they require. By incorporating regular exercise along with consistent positive reinforcement, we can significantly reduce jumping behaviors and help our beloved companions become well-rounded, obedient pets.

Step Forward

When your dog jumps on you, do you back up? Rather than backing up, take a step forward. This will cause your dog to take a step back which he may not like to do. The lack of balance can be unsettling to him rather than getting him the reward he was seeking.

Consistency is key

Consistency is crucial when training your dog not to jump on people. Enlist the help of everyone in your household and instruct visitors to follow the same rules. Reinforce the lessons learned during training sessions by applying them consistently in real-life situations.

Eliminating jumping behavior rarely happens overnight, so have patience, be consistent, and stay positive!