Although not all cases are the same, we have a few tips on how to keep your dog from jumping.
Interact on Your Terms
Don’t allow your dog to entice you by jumping at you. When paws leave the ground, your response should be to immediately shut off all attention to your dog. You are a mannequin until we have “4 on the floor”. Without that attention or reward, you withdraw the motivation to jump. Even something as simple as pulling your dog while in the air can be interpreted as a fun game for your pup.
When your pup is on the ground, he gets all of the love and attention that he seeks. Don’t focus on just how to react when your dog is not acting well; make sure that you praise him when he does what you’re searching for. However, if he decides to jump whilst you are loving him, you return to mannequin mode immediately.
If you want to occasionally let your dog jump up on you to get some love, that’s absolutely fine! Just make sure you use a command like “Up” to invite him to jump and use “Off” when it’s time for him to return to the floor.
Use the “Off” command
Practice is perfect! Working with a friend or family member with your dog on a leash is a must. The other greets the dog and holds the leash. If he chooses to jump on the greeter without invitation the greeter goes into mannequin mode and the leash holder provides an appropriate leash correction timed with the word ‘No’ and then the sending of the command ‘Off’. When 4 paws return to the ground, the greeter instantly turns the attention back on. It won’t take long before your pet understands that staying on the ground keeps the greeter interested, so I will keep my butt on the ground just like that!
Instruct your dog and socialize them
A tired dog is a calm dog and a calm dog is much less likely to be desperate for attention. Burning energy is a good start to addressing the vast majority of behavior problems, and jumping is no different. That energy will prepare your dog for success.
In the same vein, exposing your puppy to the world will reduce the novelty of that guest entering your home. If your dog is exposed to the fascinating world and receives the opportunity to meet people, greet dogs and experience the chaos of life, that person you meet or invite to your house is far less interesting.
“The button”
Many times we like to suggest the button. Imagine that you have a button on your chest that says: “Time Out, Please!” Whenever your dog jumps on you, he pushes this button that you interpret as he asks, May I go to my crate? As soon as he hits the button, you respond in a very positive fashion: OK, good job and quickly bring him to his crate or his place. Make sure not to make this a punishment because we do not want a negative connection with the cage or the place. He goes to his room or his house for just a minute or two, and then he gets released and we try again. After a few repetitions, many dogs begin to understand the cause and effect but the timing of everything is crucial. The moment he pressed the button, you tell him “Ok” and begin to move towards his crate or place.
Be Consistent – Be Consistent
Consistency is absolutely key to maintaining stability Whichever route you choose, be 100% sure to stay consistent Many clients accidentally use the “down” instead of “off” at the moment which can cause confusion about two commands! Keep calm and consistency and you’ll have all the success you want. Remember, it is a compliment that he is jumping, we just need to redirect this positive energy!
