Three Practical Approaches to Curb Your Dog's Jumping Habit

Understanding and Addressing Jumping Behavior

When a dog leaps onto people, it's a frequent issue that can lead some owners to shun their pets and relegate them to the yard, where they might dig, bark too much, or attempt to get over the fence. Still, this behavior can be managed without banishing a friendly dog.

Reasons Behind Dogs Jumping on People

Since humans stand upright, dogs must leap to greet us face-to-face. That's the simple explanation. Your dog is merely being amiable, aiming to greet you, bid farewell, or share excitement about a new toy.

Ouch!

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Training Your Dog to Stop Jumping

Regardless of the training method you pick, consistency is crucial. If you permit her to jump on you Saturday morning in old jeans, she'll assume it's fine Monday morning when you're dressed for a key meeting. Dogs lack a calendar or iPhone to distinguish weekends from workdays. Don't allow jumping only when you're in the mood.

1. Instruct Her to Sit: If this command hasn't been taught, it's essential. It's a fundamental obedience cue for every puppy. Whenever your dog begins to jump, command her to sit, then stoop down and offer praise. If you're unwilling to bend and scratch her ears while telling her she's a good dog, skip it altogether. Your dog will only respond reliably when she senses your genuine care!
2. Direct Her to Fetch: If your dog seems about to jump and is too excited to obey a sit command, toss an object and tell her to fetch. This helps expend extra energy, and upon return, she should sit when instructed.
3. Avert Your Back: This might take 10 seconds or up to five minutes. Every dog is unique, and if she's highly excited, she might keep jumping. Simply outlast her.

Note: This approach isn't ideal for children or seniors. If your dog is large and could knock someone over, emphasize the "sit" command to help her settle.

Some dogs jump up when they want attention.

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Additional Strategies to Prevent Jumping

Here's a list of alternatives that can be as effective as teaching sit, redirecting, or ignoring. Bear in mind that even though many of these are suggested in training manuals and claimed to guarantee a perfect companion, from a behavioral perspective, they might induce fear and aggression in your dog.

These techniques could keep your clothes tidy but often harm the bond you're building. You might also wind up hiring a costly behaviorist or facing a lawsuit if your dog bites a neighbor carrying something like a fly swatter. So always be mindful of how you influence your dog's actions.

1. Pop a plastic bag as your dog prepares to jump, which startles her. (Items such as the Pet Corrector are effective too).
2. Spray your dog's face with a squirt bottle when she's about to jump. I've heard this doesn't work for Labrador Retrievers because they enjoy water and may jump more!
3. Use your knee to obstruct your dog's jump by raising it diagonally across your body. This is preferable to using hands. Never knee your dog directly—it can frighten her and potentially cause injury.

Some dogs really enjoy jumping up.

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Avoid Sending Conflicting Messages

My dog appears to have this down perfectly. In fact, I'm certain she grasps the idea, except with an elderly German neighbor who visits occasionally. He says he's bothered by my dog jumping on him, but then scratches her ears when her paws are on his chest and lets her lick his face.

He's sending mixed signals. DO NOT do this to your dog.

Jumping is natural behavior and shouldn't lead to punishment. If you prefer a dog that doesn't jump, these training methods can help, but they won't be effective instantly. Even a well-trained dog might slip up. Don't punish her for it. Just bend down and let her lick your face.

Dog saliva comes off with soap and water.

This is great, when you have to ask the dog to jump up!

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This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Questions & Answers

Question: I've consistently worked to train my dog for five years, but my dog still jumps. Now what?

Answer: If you have taught your dog to sit on command, and you never greet her when she jumps UNTIL she sits, the next step would be to take her to a professional trainer or an animal behaviorist. If you do not know who to contact in your area, ask your vet, and he can refer you to someone locally.