Many dog owners are faced with the common problem of their dogs jumping. When your dog is a puppy, people think that it is adorable when they jump, making bad behavior a common occurrence without realizing it. Eventually, you won’t be able to control the behavior because it becomes so normal to the dog as they age, and they could hurt someone else in the process.
It is crucial that you begin training your dog as soon as it arrives in the home. Although training is frequently simpler with puppies, it may be accomplished with a dog no matter the age if you are determined and persevering. Again, the trick is to begin the training process as soon as your dog comes home and this will not only reinforce your position as master but also aid in keeping negative behavior from developing into a habit.
Step #1 – Create an Off Command
An off command is the absolute first thing you will want to consider and create. If your dog jumps on anyone, including you, use this command immediately. It can be any word of your choosing, as long as it is short, to the point and easy for you to remember. At every instance of the dog jumping on you, forcefully use the off command. You ought to advise all who enter your home to use this specific command should the dog jump on them and the dog should quickly associate that jumping is not allowed.
Step #2 – Teaching Sit
Sit is a basic obedience command that most dogs will learn, and is very useful when you are teaching a dog not to jump. Use your sit command as soon as your dog comes up to you. Your dog will never jump up if they are aware and follow this command because they will be sitting before the thought even occurs to them.
Step #3 – Get on the same level
When acknowledging your dog, bend down to be on its level. Your dog will be glad that you are acknowledging it, and this will also circumvent the jumping as you will be on its level. In other words, bending over to meet your dog does away with the need for jumping in the first place. Use the off command once you stand up, only if your dog still jumps up onto you to gain more of your attention, so that they know that you don’t approve of their jumping behavior.
Step #4 – Giving Your Dog a Time Out
Should you have difficulty with your dog responding to either the off or the sit command, going into a time out period may be necessary. If your dog insists on jumping on you and ignores your commands, put him in his crate or kennel in a time out. The dog really only wants your attention, so a time out is very effective in negating the bad behavior by having the dog associate the constraint with the denial of your attention.
Observing these steps with consistency should result in your dog’s learning quickly that jumping is not allowed. Now, certain dogs will make the association more quickly than others. The trick is to maintain consistency in your commands and not be discouraged if the dog does not appear to listen. If you find that your dog is particularly stubborn and he continues to resist the lesson and continue jumping, then you should probably seek the services of a professional dog trainer who can help you determine exactly where the breakdown is in your training methods.