At A Glance
Dogs can quickly become over-excited when they see their favorite humans. If you want to solve your dog jump problems, it’s best to train your dog to sit on demand.
Give your command firmly and reward it handsomely when it does what you want.
Last Updated on: May 26, 2022
Regardless of their level of training, dogs can exhibit behaviors that are difficult to curb, such as persistent jumping and loud vocalizing. As a dog owner, you must try your best to instill good behavior at all times.
Dogs will jump on people for all sorts of reasons. They may jump in excitement when you get back home after a long day at work. Some dogs jump simply because they want attention or treats.
Jumping behavior can be difficult to control, which is where training techniques can come into play. In this article, we’ll walk you through what you need to know when training your dog not to jump on you or other people.
There are many reasons why your dog might try jumping on you. Dogs are naturally social animals and want to interact with people in any way they can.
When a dog jumps on you, it is likely its way of saying hello to you or getting your attention for playtime. Your dog knows you will acknowledge it when it jumps on you; it will likely interpret a positive or negative response as some type of reward.
It’s very easy for a dog to mistake jumping on you as play. And if you keep letting it get away with this type of behavior, it will continue doing the same thing.
Bored dogs may resort to jumping when they don’t get the physical and mental stimulation they need every day. Jumping on you at inopportune moments may be your dog’s preferred energy outlet.
One of the most important elements of obedience training is paying attention to your dog’s physical cues. It’s easy to tell when a dog is about to jump on you, and when you notice this cue, you must immediately stop it in its tracks.
If your dog has developed a habit of jumping on you during certain occasions (when you get home, when it’s time to eat, or go out for a walk), you need to develop a positive association with staying on the ground instead.
You can use several methods to stop your dog from jumping on people. Remember that you must be consistent. Otherwise, your dog may become confused and not understand what you’re trying to command it to do.
Nothing beats coming home to a happy and loving dog after a long day at work or school. But when you’re tired, the last thing you want is to get smothered by your furry friend the moment you walk through the door.
A happy greeting paired with excited jumps is perfectly normal, and it just means your dog missed you. But you must curb this behavior and teach it to stay down at all times.
First, enter your home calmly and tone down your greeting. If your dog tries to jump on you when you enter the door, give it a firm command, such as “down!” and put your hand on its head. Once your dog sits down and stops jumping, give it a treat.
Do this repeatedly until your dog associates treats with staying still when you walk through the door. Remember that training a dog requires a lot of repetition and patience on your part. Fortunately, the effort will be worth it once you instill better behavior in your pet!
Once you’ve taught your dog to stop jumping on you, it’s time to expand the circle to other members of your household and your neighbors. When the other person enters the door, and your dog begins to jump, stand directly in front of it and give it a firm “down!” As soon as your dog follows your command, praise it lavishly and give it a treat.
You can extend this training to potential strangers that approach your dog on the street. Ask another person to start walking toward your dog from a distance, keeping their steps slow. If your dog begins to jump, put yourself in the middle and say “down!” while keeping your hand on its head.
Once your dog settles down, the other person may continue to approach. Repeat the “down!” command and keep your hand firmly on your dog’s head. If it stays still, reward it with a treat.
If your dog exhibits jumping behavior when it’s excited, the same training principles apply. Command your dog with a strong “down!” and reward it when it obeys.
You can also employ avoidance techniques. When your dog begins to jump, turn your back and cross your arms. Do not respond to your dog’s actions in any way. If your dog runs around and jumps some more, just turn around again. Keep doing this until your dog calms down.
Another way to curb jumping behavior is to remove the trigger. Make sure your dog is well exercised, so it expends all of its energy.
It’s best to curb jumping behavior as early as possible. In general, puppies are much easier to train than older dogs, and you can implement simple obedience techniques.
If mealtime is a jumping trigger for your dog, you can begin to instill better behavior by placing its food on the ground. Keep a firm hand on the top of its head and give a strong “down” or “sit” before it goes for the food.
Repeat this every time your dog eats. Soon, it will learn that it will get its food only when all four paws stay on the ground.
If you have an especially hyper dog that’s difficult to command, your first step must be avoidance. Turn your back each time your dog jumps and don’t respond to its actions. Cross your arms and turn your face away. Wait for your dog to calm down and give it a reward.
You can also try walking away entirely. If your dog starts jumping again when you walk into the room, turn around and go back out. Keep repeating until your dog learns to stay still to get your attention.
By following this dog jump training guide, you’ll be able to keep your dog’s paws on the ground at all times. Going forward, remember to keep your dog busy with plenty of exercise and training, so it doesn’t need to expend energy elsewhere.
If you have any questions about this behavior or how you can stop it from happening, please feel free to leave a comment below
Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
