How to Train Dogs Not to Jump
Dog Obedience Training to Keep Puppies From Jumping for Attention
Aug 28, 2009
Early dog obedience training is crucial. It’s cute when a puppy jumps up and clings to his owners' legs, but when that dog gets bigger, he could accidentally knock a child over with that same playful action. Dogs can’t be expected to distinguish between people who enjoy rough housing and small children or elderly visitors who could be easily injured.
Dog Obedience Training 101, Why Dogs Jump
To train dogs not to jump, pet owners need to understand what motivates the behavior. Jumping isn’t bad in itself. A dog jumps up to show he’s excited to see someone. Basically, he wants attention.
If a pet owner scratches his dog's ears or pets his back in response to an enthusiastic, two-legged greeting, he’s reinforcing jumping. But even if a pet owner says “No!” or pushes the dog away, he’s still supplying a form of attention motivating enough to keep the dog’s front paws off the ground.
How to Train Dogs Not to Jump
Dog obedience training to eliminate jumping starts as a pet owner shows his dog that it’s possible to get lots of rewarding attention with all four paws on the floor. Furthermore, he needs to make abundantly clear that jumping won’t get him anywhere.
A pet owner will need to make an extra effort to acknowledge his dog when his behavior is calm. When the dog jumps up, the pet owner will need to simply turn away without any eye contact or reprimand.
Dog Obedience Training Sessions That Eliminate Jumping
If pet owners are working on their own to train dogs not to jump, they can walk into their front doors repeatedly with a bunch of bite-sized chewy treats in their pockets. If dogs jump up , pet owners should turn around and walk right back out. If the dog stays on the floor though, the owner can pet him and offer a treat.
During dog obedience training, pet owners will need to remain calm as they reward their dogs' good behavior. Getting the dog excited is likely to trigger jumping.
A variation to this dog obedience training exercise involves setting up a baby gate to block a dog inside one room of the house. A pet owner can approach the gate to test what his dog’s reaction will be. If the puppy leaps onto the gate, the owner should turn and walk away before trying again in a few seconds. If the dog remains calm, the owner can reward him with low-key praise and a chewy treat.
Dog Obedience Training to Stop Dogs From Jumping on Guests
Once the ppuppy can reliably keep himself from jumping during dog obedience training sessions with his owner, he’ll have to generalize the behavior to visitors and friends. When someone comes over, a pet owner will want to make sure his dog is calm before bringing him out to say hello. A crate may be the best place for the dog to hang out if he’s too excited.
Walking the dog out on a leash gives an owner a little more leverage. Hopefully, owners will be able to keep the lead short enough to prevent jumping during introductions. If the dog remains calm, pet owners can offer quiet praise.
It’s important for pet owners to remember that jumping up isn’t the act of a bad-natured dog, just one that’s excited to play. Training to eliminate this behavior will take patience and consistency.
Pet owners may also be interested in related articles covering how to train dogs not to bite, how to train dogs to eliminate destructive chewing, and dog obedience training including sit, stay, and down.
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