Jumping is a common and often irritating behavior problem for dog owners. While it might seem endearing in a puppy, an 80-pound dog leaping on guests can quickly become unmanageable and even pose a risk, especially to children. Fortunately, this behavior is not difficult to correct. Understanding why dogs jump is the first step to stopping it, and this guide will provide you with effective strategies to train your dog to greet appropriately.
Understanding Why Dogs Jump
Dogs naturally jump as a form of greeting, mirroring how they interact with other dogs. When greeting each other after an absence, dogs often rise up on their front legs, pawing and bumping excitedly. Your dog’s jumping when you arrive home is an expression of their overwhelming joy and excitement at your return. They see you as the source of all good things – toys, treats, love, and fun. This intense excitement can lead to them greeting you in the only way they know how.
To curb this behavior, it’s crucial to manage the emotional charge of these greeting events. Avoid high-pitched voices, loud talking, or an overly excited tone that could trigger an overreaction in your dog. Equally important is to refrain from physical contact or reprimands when your dog jumps. Shouting “No!” or pushing them away can inadvertently be perceived as part of the game, rewarding the jumping behavior with attention, even if it’s negative. For many dogs, any form of physical or emotional contact is reinforcing.
The “Four on the Floor” Rule
The key to stopping dog jumping lies in teaching your dog that calm behavior on the ground is what earns rewards. When you arrive home, ignore your dog completely until they have all four paws on the ground and are exhibiting calm behavior. Only then should you offer praise and physical affection. This teaches your dog that settling down and remaining on the ground is the way to achieve their goal of greeting you and receiving attention. Dogs are intelligent and will repeat behaviors that are rewarding.
Training an Incompatible Behavior: The Sit Command
A highly effective method to stop dog jumping is to train an alternative behavior that is incompatible with jumping. The sit command is ideal for this. When your dog is in a situation where they are likely to jump, ask them to sit instead. This is impossible to do simultaneously. Teaching your dog to sit for greetings is particularly useful for interactions on walks. If your dog’s jumping behavior originated in puppyhood with positive attention from strangers, retraining strangers can help.
How to Train Humans to Help Stop Dog Jumping
You can enlist the help of others to reinforce good behavior. When people ask to pet your dog, suggest they ask your dog to sit first. You can even provide them with treats or kibble to give your dog as a reward for sitting. This not only helps your dog learn that sitting leads to positive interactions and rewards but also gives people the satisfaction of participating in the training process. This technique can also be applied when guests visit your home. Keep your dog on a leash during greetings and ask visitors to request a sit before offering attention.
Managing the Jumping Behavior Consistently
Household inconsistency can confuse a dog regarding jumping behavior. If one family member allows jumping while another discourages it, the dog will struggle to understand the rules. To address this, you can place the jumping behavior on a command, such as “Up!” accompanied by a physical cue like patting your chest. The dog should only be allowed to jump when given this specific command and must stop immediately when told “Enough!” or “Okay!” If your dog has difficulty disengaging, ask for a sit. This approach helps your dog learn that jumping is only acceptable under specific, commanded circumstances.
Five Steps to Stop Dog Jumping
- Manage Arrivals: Minimize excitement when you arrive home. Avoid sudden movements and loud noises. Ignore your dog until they are calm.
- Enforce “Four on the Floor”: Do not give your dog attention, even negative attention like pushing them off, until they are calm and have all four paws on the ground.
- Teach an Alternative Behavior: Consistently ask your dog to sit for all greetings and interactions with people. Reward calm sitting behavior.
- Involve Guests: When guests visit, keep your dog leashed and ask your guests to request a sit before petting your dog, using treats as rewards.
- Command the Jump: If you sometimes want to allow your dog to jump, put this behavior on a specific command like “Up!” and teach them to stop on cue with words like “Enough!”
By implementing these strategies consistently, you can transform your enthusiastic jumper into a calm, well-behaved companion.
References:
- Zoom Room. (n.d.). Positive Reinforcement Dog Training. Retrieved from https://zoomroom.com/positive-dog-training/
