Dogs may jump for various reasons, such as seeking attention, feeling excited, or out of confusion when encountering a person.
If your dog leaps on you as if they have springs in their feet, humans are typically at fault. This behavior is often not only allowed but also encouraged by us. While we understand that jumping should not be encouraged, resisting the cuteness of a fluffy puppy can be challenging. It is easy to forget that charming puppy behavior can turn into a nuisance as they mature.
Permitting your dog to jump on people can also pose risks. The outcome can include scratches and bruises for you, or worse, the potential for a child or frail adult to be accidentally knocked down and seriously hurt.
Resolving a behavioral issue like jumping necessitates a combination of situation management and dog training.
Management:
- Control the scenario to prevent your dog from jumping by using management techniques until they are trained not to jump.
- For instance, if your dog tends to jump on visitors, you could employ the following strategies before the guest arrives:
- Place your dog in their crate.
- Keep them in another room.
- Leash your dog and command them to sit as the guest enters. Reward good behavior to discourage jumping until they learn appropriate conduct.
Training:
- Train your dog that jumping will not earn them attention. Only offer affection when all four paws are on the ground.
- Teach your dog an activity that is incompatible with jumping, such as sitting. They cannot sit and jump simultaneously. Lack of sitting results in no attention.
- Consistent application of these rules is crucial. Every family member should always adhere to the training regimen, ensuring a no-jumping policy consistently.
- Consider utilizing the DOGGIE DON’T Device, a PORTABLE, AUDIBLE tool designed to correct unwanted behaviors like BARKING, JUMPING UP, and LEASH AGGRESSION. This device uses an AUDIBLE cue to interrupt behavior patterns. The distinctive CRACKLING SOUND it emits grabs your dog’s attention. Over time, you should be able to rely on verbal commands without the need for the device. Consistent use is key to reshaping behaviors.
