This isn’t necessarily a bad thing! Jumping is normal dog behavior but can be a little rude, especially if your pup accidentally knocks someone down with their glee. It can be easy to accidentally reinforce jumping behavior. You’re just as excited to give your pup all the attention they crave that you may find yourself praising them when they jump up. Try not to beat yourself up about it if you’re dog has started jumping up on people. This behavior can easily be untaught with the right training techniques.
By moving away or walking past your dog, your body language says, “I’m not giving you attention. ” Think of it as acting like a tree. Don’t move. Don’t speak. Try the “turn your back” technique if you find ignoring your furry friend to be a bit tough. All you have to do is turn around when they try to jump up. [3] X Research source When your dog calms down and places all paws on the floor, bend over and acknowledge them with plenty of cuddles.
“I can’t wait for you to meet Rex! But if he jumps up on you, please don’t acknowledge it. We’re working on that. ” “Are you okay with dogs? Charlie’s big, and I’m warning you, he jumps. Just stand still and turn around. I’m training him, and the first step is ignoring the jumping. ” “Jet is going to love you! He’s been jumping lately, and we’re still training, so please don’t pet or talk to him if he does jump on you. ”
Use commands like “sit” and “stay” when using the lead trick. Keep a distance between you and the stranger with your pup pulled closely at your side. Lessening the slack on the lead means your pup can’t jump too high. Dogs read body language, so stay calm when introducing your pup to new people.
Hold a treat out in front of your pup’s nose, just out of reach. Raise the treat towards your pup’s head, causing them to sit. Say “yes” when your pup’s bottom hits the ground and give them the treat.
You can also keep your pup in their crate if your guests are only visiting for a short while. If you don’t have a separate room or crate, you can set up a dog or baby gate in a hallway to give your pup their own space. Explain to your guests that you’re training your dog, and if they want to meet them, they can’t acknowledge any jumping-up behavior.
Once your pup knows the commands, ask them to lie down before getting anything. This will help them recognize that “down” should be their default behavior.
Start by teaching “sit,” moving on to “stay” once mastered. Only reward when your pup is completely still and doesn’t move. Increase the distance you move away after commanding “sit” over time. Train “sit” and “stay” by a front door to encourage friendly greetings.
Keep some treats near the door to reward good behavior when greeting you or a stranger. Bend over right away when greeting your dog, so they don’t have a chance to jump up.
Talk to your veterinarian about your pup’s anxiety and stress levels. They’ll be able to recommend the right doggie backpack for your dog and provide personalized care.
Reward your pup immediately after they do something good, so they can associate the action with the reward. Only reward your pup when they’re standing or sitting on all paws. Try to keep others from giving your pup treats as this can distract and derail your training. [14] X Research source
“I’m so sorry about that! We’re currently working on not jumping up on people. ” “So sorry! If he jumps again, could you not move? I’m actually training him to stop jumping. ” “Sorry about that! I’d love to chat, but we’re working on not jumping on people, and walking away is one of the techniques. ”
