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Puppy owners often find that one of the hardest behaviors to manage is their dog's inclination to jump up. For dogs it as a natural, playful greeting that is an attempt to get access to your face. It can be a rewarding place to smell and lick. Some people find it endearing, most don’t.
To stop your pup from jumping, focus on two things: prevent the behavior and teach alternative responses. The sooner you prevent opportunities, the easier it will be to train new behaviors.
Identify when and where it happens. Understanding the triggers helps you focus on prevention rather than correcting the behavior or having to ask for another behavior. When and where does your dog tends to jump. Front doors are often "hot zones" of excitement, where dogs eagerly greet family members and guests. Favorite people etc.
Until your dog learns a new, polite way to behave at doors or with fun people, your best option is to use leashes on young dogs when guests arrive or place your pup behind a gate, in a crate or back room to prevent jumping during exciting arrival times. Remember, the more your dog is allowed to jump, the longer it will take to train a different behavior.
Keep treats or kibble handy:
Store treats or kibble in convenient containers near the front door and other areas where your dog tends to jump. Try using these re-usable containers that I love (link to amazon).
Use treat scatters to redirect behavior:
Treat scatters are excellent for getting your pup’s nose to the ground. You can also explore pattern-feeding games to help redirect their energy and focus. Send your pup to search for treats in one direction and then the other. You are creating nose-to-ground behavior instead of jumping and using that excitement energy up.
Train calm greetings:
Teach your dog to remain calm when greeting people. The "Go Say Hi" method is an effective training approach for polite interactions.
Prioritize management tools:
As mentioned earlier, management is key to preventing jumping. Use barriers like gates or crates, and consider keeping a leash by your dog to use indoors to maintain control.
These photos will inspire ideas on setting up your space to prevent unwanted behaviors. Ensure everyone in the household follows the same rules.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/puppyhelp/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2209791002580850
When entering your home, stay calm and avoid engaging if your dog tries to jump. Actively disengage: look away, turn away, step back and shut the entry door and wait for your dog to sit before attempting to enter. Once you enter you can calmly walk to another part of the house until the dog calms down. Mark and reward any calm behavior, like sitting or keeping four paws on the ground.
Set up containers of treats/kibble near the door and remember to have an extra door leash that is easily accessible.
Each pattern we create can build or reduce arousal and when we go back & forth from calming patterns to energizing patterns, this can really help tire a dog that we need to use up some excess energy… 0 to 60, then 60 to 0, then 0 to 60.
We can go into the details of any of these training options during a session. When you have treats near the door, this is your visual cue to remember to grab a handful to put in your pocket to train on the walk.
Consistency is key. To fully eliminate jumping behavior, it’s crucial that everyone interacting with the dog follows the same rules consistently, not just during home arrivals. Dogs repeat behaviors that get them attention, so if they receive any form of attention while jumping, they will continue to do it. This behavior doesn’t simply fade with time; it often worsens. Consistency across all family members and visitors is essential to changing this habit. Make it clear that jumping does not lead to rewards, and be patient throughout the process.
When your dog successfully jumps on you, avoid any form of physical engagement, such as pushing, pulling, or petting, as well as laughing or yelling. These reactions can be perceived as attention, which can reinforce the behavior. Instead, look away, avoid making eye contact or bending over, as this can sometimes encourage jumping. You can try holding your palm over their eyes to prevent them from looking up at you.
Maintain calm energy and neutral body language; avoid using verbal cues until your dog consistently responds to the cues you have trained else where. Reward desirable behaviors quickly and continue rewarding as they progress. Initially, reward any time all four feet are on the floor, whether the dog is sitting, standing, or lying down.
Ensure your dog is kept away from others until they consistently exhibit polite behavior. For high-energy dogs, increase their exercise and engagement to reduce jumping. If someone wants to greet your dog while it’s in training, politely decline and explain that your pup is currently learning.
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