How to Stop A Dog From Jumping

Jumping behavior starts very early in a dogs life, as puppies they jump to get their mother attention. It is only natural that your puppy will jump to get your attention too. However it is important to stop your dog jumping on people before this becomes a habit.

This a behavior that should be discouraged as soon as possible, even a small enthusiastic jumping dog can injure little children and older people.

Some people mistake jumping for attacking so it is also possible to end up with legal complications and not just muddy clothes and torn stockings. While it is nice to be greeted lovingly by our pet, don’t let them jump on you, your family or visitors.

How to stop a dog from jumping

There are a number of different ways to stop your dog jumping, however the key to any method you choose is constancy and practice. Teach all the members of your family to use the same body language and commands, so as not to confuse your dog. Remind the whole family that they need to be consistent and stop your dog jumping, using which ever method you choose every time.

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Then practice, practice, practice.. Start with you and your family, have someone come in the front door practice good behavior with your dog or puppy, then leave by the back door to return again through the front door, repeating the exercise. Do this daily for a short period until good manners become consistent and you stop your jumping dog.

Teach your friends and visitors how to stop a dog from jumping on them, using your command and how to reward your dog for their good behavior. It is generally best for the visitors to reward the dog with affection and attention.

Choose your command word carefully, some people use the command “down”  or the recommended command  “off”. The “down” command is generally used to indicate that you want your dog to lie down and it would be confusing to use the same command when you want the dog to stop jumping. If however you have chosen to use the command  “drop” when teaching your dog to lie down then you could use the “down” command to stop jumping dog. The important thing is that you use different commands  for different behavior in a consistent way.

Fixing the problem

There are a number of training methods that will stop your dog jumping, you should choose a method that fits with your training philosophy and suits your dog. For instance some dogs think that the holding paws method is just a fun game. The holding the dogs paws method is designed to make the dog feel off balance and uncomfortable. If your dog enjoys this game you will need use a different method.

The Ignore Method

This a very popular effective method and there are some variations to this method. Basically when your dogs paws leave the ground you quickly turn your back on the dog and ignore them usually with your arms crossed.

If the dog paws at your back and legs ignore it, do not look at the dog directly. If they circle around in front of you and jump again, quickly turn again ignoring the jumping dog.

Continue until the dog chooses a better behavior standing still, sitting or moving away. Immediately acknowledge the good behavior with your attention and praise or click and reward.

If the attention causes the jumping to begin again immediately withdraw your attention. Repeat this cycle until the dog is calm and no longer jumping

The Sit Method

This is used in combination with the ignore method above or one of the other methods, you will need to have taught your dog the sit command separately . When you return home or when ever your dog goes to jump firmly give the “sit” command.

If this prevents the dog jumping, reward him or her with praise and attention or click and treat. If the dog still jumps use the ignore method or one of the other methods before proceeding to the next step.

Once you have successfully stopped jumping dog repeat the sit command if necessary and reward the dog when he sits.

The Stop method

When the dog starts to jump use your open hand against the dog face/nose to gently but firmly push them back down towards the ground, while in a firm voice using the command of your choice usually “down” or “off”. A dogs nose is sensitive and they don’t like like this response.

Another variation of this is to use both hands to remove the dogs front paws from your leg moving the dog backward and unbalancing them slightly before putting their paws on the ground again using the command word.

You will need consistently use your command in a firm voice and push the dog down or put him paws down, then reward the dog for staying down with praise and attention.

The Leash method

Have you dog or puppy on a leash attached to a regular collar. Then get a some else to approach the dog. When the dog jumps, immediately give a firm “down” or “off” command and using the leash to guide the dog off and to the side. Dot not pull straight back or yank the dog off its feet.

Settle the dog and have it sit, when the dog is sitting have the person approach again. If the dog jumps gain repeat the command and lead the dog away. The person can only greet and praise the dog if they remain sitting.

Again consistency is the key, the dog is only allowed to greet the visitor or family member if it remains sitting.

Finally the best way to how to stop a dog from jumping is to gently teach your dog to keep his feet on the floor, be consistent don’t allow the dog to jump on anyone. Don’t allow anyone to let the dog jump on them and then reward the jumping dog for this bad behavior.

Save your attention, cuddles and rewards for only good behavior be consistent and you will  stop your dog jumping.

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