How to stop your jumping up at you and visitors

How to Stop Your Dog Jumping Up?

My dogs insists on jumping up at people, both myself and guests at the house. How can I stop this behavior?

Dogs will jump up, it's almost a natural behavior. Many people will think that a small puppy jumping up is adorable! But when that puppy is now a fully grown dog, or the person being jumped at is wearing their best dinner suit, the cuteness wears off.
The best way to teach a dog to stop something is not to let him do it in the first place. So, if you do not want puppy to jump as an adult, do not let him do it as a baby. The problem is, most peoples natural reaction to being jumped at is to reach out and give the dog attention. This enforces the dogs jumping habit and will encourage them to do it even more as they will associate it with getting your attention.
However, as well as being an undesirable action under some circumstances, a jumping dogs can be dangerous. A fully grown German Shepherd or Irish Wolfhound can weigh a significant amount and could knock an adult off their feet. Some people may mistake jumping for an attack and you could be in legal hot water. And as mentioned earlier, a jumping dog can muddy clothes and tear stockings. Jumping is not a good habit. Finally, allowing puppies to jump can injure their growing joints.

Your dog is jumping on you, how can I stop this action?

When puppy or dog starts to jump on you, freeze and give them NO attention at all. Reaching out to them just gives them what they crave, attention. Some dogs don't care if the attention they get is positive, such as stroking them, or negative, such as trying to push them away. They just want attention of any sort. So when a dog jumps up at you give no attention at all for this action. When the dog jumps, turn to the side (so that the dog has a smaller target) and do not make eye contact, touch or say anything. React like the dog is invisible. When the dog relents and all four feet are on the ground, wait a moment to see if they remain off and then calmly say “good.” (An excited tone will rev the dog up; you want him calm so you remain calm). If he repeats the action and he starts to jump again, immediately freeze and turn off to the dog as you did before, then say "good" when all feet are on the ground. They need to learn that if they want attention, they have to keep all four feet on the floor. You can reinforce the desired behavior with a small treat when his feet are on the floor and they are acting as you want them to. Gradually increase the amount of time his feet remain off you before you “notice” him.

Another way to discourage the jumping behavior is to walk forward towards the dog as the jump begins. Do not go backwards as this is a retreat and can encourage a jump. If you take a step forward the dog cannot get balanced, and this will force them put their feet on the ground. The dog will not be allowed to gain purchase on your body. As with turning to avoid their jump, when all four feet are on the ground, the dog gets gentle praise and calm attention. With smaller dogs or puppies, instead of walking forwards toward the dog, just slide a leg forward. Walking towards the dog could end up with a smaller dog under your foot. Or with any size dog, lean towards the jump so the dog cannot balance.

Soon the dog will learn that proper manners and not jumping up increase the chance of them getting attention. The dog is learning self-discipline in order to get what is desired (attention).

Your dog is jumping on others, how can I help to stop this?

This depends on a few things but you can get a friend to help. Put your puppy or dog on lead and collar. Have your friend approach the dog. When the dog jumps, immediately give a firm “Off!” And guide puppy/dog off and to the side. Do not pull straight back, it could actually encourage them to jump. Do not yank the dog off his feet either as you could hurt him. Once the dog is off, walk the dog away a few feet or more. Calmly settle and have them sit down. When they are sitting, have the friend approach again. Should they repeat their action and start to jump, repeat “Off” and guide away. There can be no greeting or attention if the dog is not sitting.

All family members and friends must enforce off. If only a couple of people or friends enforces “off,” but the rest allow the dog to jump at them, the dog will be confused and think jumping is OK or just get really stressed about it. Insist all friends and members of the family wait until the dog is sitting before they greet him. Explain that you are trying to teach the dog good manners when people say “hi.” Most people will appreciate this!

And remember, the longer undesired behaviors go on, the longer it will take to stop them. So if you have allowed your pet to jump on people for ages, this behavior will not be stopped overnight so you will need to have patience while you change the behavior of the dog.

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