If you have ever owned a dog, one time or another you have probably dealt with this problem. Your dog is so happy to see you that he jumps up on you getting his muddy paws all over your new suit or dress. Or even worse, during his excitement he jumps on a smaller child and knocks them down or scratches the child's face, arms or legs.
Well guess what? Its all your fault.
You see, when your dog was just a little pup, you would be so excited to see that little guy that he would come to you in his cute puppy way and jump on your ankle (or barely reach your knee cap at this point) and you of course would bend over and pet him or even pick him up.
Your puppy has just learned a great lesson, jumping up is a good thing, it's a great way to get positive affection. Your dog doesn't understand the difference between a small, cute little puppy and in a matter of a few months he is now a larger adult dog with the mass and power to be able to take down a small adult human. All he knows is "jumping gets me love."
Is jumping ever acceptable?
You have to make it perfectly clear that jumping is unacceptable. Although owners of small breed dogs or "toy" dog breeds may expect their dog to jump, (this is totally up to you) but jumping on an unsuspecting guest could get things off on the wrong foot. That is why, if you do allow your dog to jump, you should at least work the command "off" into it's training.
For larger breed dog owners, training your dog commands such as "No Jump" and "off" should be mandatory. If not for the social aspect, at least for the safety of little ones in the house or that come to visit. Remember, a large dogs paws can easily be heavy enough to gouge your skin though your cloths, and it's one thing to put up with bruises, cuts and scrapes from your own dog, could you imagine if your dog did this to someone else, maybe a child. Yes, it is best that you either never teach your dog to jump or get this habit under control quickly.
Why does dog jumping happen?
The number one reason dogs jump is most likely out of pure excitement after a long separation (returning home from work) or during playtime when adrenaline is running high.
The number two reason dogs jump is a bit more complicated and serous. It has to do with dominance. Dogs social order comes from a pack mentality and the only way to move up the ranks in a pack is to show physical superiority over the lesser animal. Dogs often demonstrate their superiority over other dogs by mounting or jumping on the lesser dogs back or shoulders.
You can identify the reason for your dogs jumping by taking note of the circumstances surrounding the event. If he only jumps when extremely excited, such as playtime or upon your return home from work, then he is only showing how much he missed you.
On the other hand, if he jumps in a variety of situations, you could be dealing with more of a dominance issue and symptoms of a more complicated problem of communication and attitude. The longer this type of behavior is allowed to happen the harder it will be to regain control of the jumping issues. At this point and time I would highly suggest that you study alpha-dog techniques (tip: you can find more great information on dealing with a dominate dog over at Ez Dog Training At Home, you can find the link for this web site at the bottom of this page)
How to Stop Dog Jumping Fast
Staying with your training routine day in and day out is the only way you will be able to beak this habit of your dogs jumping. Taking a day off and not fallowing though with your training can undermine weeks worth of work, so stick to your plan.
Dog trainers world wide agree that the most effective way to curb unwanted behavior (jumping) in your dog is also the the easiest, and that is to simply ignore the bad or unwanted behavior and reward the wanted or good behavior. There is no need to yell or over correct. Negative attention is still attention and that is what your dog seeks when jumps on you.
Here is the best way to stop dog jumping.
When your dog jumps on you or is about to jump on you, turn your back to him and ignore this behavior. As soon as he has all four paws on the ground praise him. If he goes to jump again turn your back, cross your arms and face away.
This technique works really well because dogs actually study and understand body language more so than the spoken word.
Again, as soon as he has all four paws back on the ground praise him lavishly. Don't worry that you may be confusing him, dogs have a very short "training memory" and they can only comprehend the reaction you give to his behavior at that moment.
Dogs inherently want to please you and it want take long for him to figure out that four on the floor pleases you. - 32366
Well guess what? Its all your fault.
You see, when your dog was just a little pup, you would be so excited to see that little guy that he would come to you in his cute puppy way and jump on your ankle (or barely reach your knee cap at this point) and you of course would bend over and pet him or even pick him up.
Your puppy has just learned a great lesson, jumping up is a good thing, it's a great way to get positive affection. Your dog doesn't understand the difference between a small, cute little puppy and in a matter of a few months he is now a larger adult dog with the mass and power to be able to take down a small adult human. All he knows is "jumping gets me love."
Is jumping ever acceptable?
You have to make it perfectly clear that jumping is unacceptable. Although owners of small breed dogs or "toy" dog breeds may expect their dog to jump, (this is totally up to you) but jumping on an unsuspecting guest could get things off on the wrong foot. That is why, if you do allow your dog to jump, you should at least work the command "off" into it's training.
For larger breed dog owners, training your dog commands such as "No Jump" and "off" should be mandatory. If not for the social aspect, at least for the safety of little ones in the house or that come to visit. Remember, a large dogs paws can easily be heavy enough to gouge your skin though your cloths, and it's one thing to put up with bruises, cuts and scrapes from your own dog, could you imagine if your dog did this to someone else, maybe a child. Yes, it is best that you either never teach your dog to jump or get this habit under control quickly.
Why does dog jumping happen?
The number one reason dogs jump is most likely out of pure excitement after a long separation (returning home from work) or during playtime when adrenaline is running high.
The number two reason dogs jump is a bit more complicated and serous. It has to do with dominance. Dogs social order comes from a pack mentality and the only way to move up the ranks in a pack is to show physical superiority over the lesser animal. Dogs often demonstrate their superiority over other dogs by mounting or jumping on the lesser dogs back or shoulders.
You can identify the reason for your dogs jumping by taking note of the circumstances surrounding the event. If he only jumps when extremely excited, such as playtime or upon your return home from work, then he is only showing how much he missed you.
On the other hand, if he jumps in a variety of situations, you could be dealing with more of a dominance issue and symptoms of a more complicated problem of communication and attitude. The longer this type of behavior is allowed to happen the harder it will be to regain control of the jumping issues. At this point and time I would highly suggest that you study alpha-dog techniques (tip: you can find more great information on dealing with a dominate dog over at Ez Dog Training At Home, you can find the link for this web site at the bottom of this page)
How to Stop Dog Jumping Fast
Staying with your training routine day in and day out is the only way you will be able to beak this habit of your dogs jumping. Taking a day off and not fallowing though with your training can undermine weeks worth of work, so stick to your plan.
Dog trainers world wide agree that the most effective way to curb unwanted behavior (jumping) in your dog is also the the easiest, and that is to simply ignore the bad or unwanted behavior and reward the wanted or good behavior. There is no need to yell or over correct. Negative attention is still attention and that is what your dog seeks when jumps on you.
Here is the best way to stop dog jumping.
When your dog jumps on you or is about to jump on you, turn your back to him and ignore this behavior. As soon as he has all four paws on the ground praise him. If he goes to jump again turn your back, cross your arms and face away.
This technique works really well because dogs actually study and understand body language more so than the spoken word.
Again, as soon as he has all four paws back on the ground praise him lavishly. Don't worry that you may be confusing him, dogs have a very short "training memory" and they can only comprehend the reaction you give to his behavior at that moment.
Dogs inherently want to please you and it want take long for him to figure out that four on the floor pleases you. - 32366
About the Author:
Suggested reading: For more helpful articles on unwanted dog behavior such as stop dog barking as well as dog training tips like leash train your dog in minutes check out Matt's web site at www.ezdogtrainingathome.com
