Bringing a new puppy home is an exciting time, filled with anticipation for a happy, well-behaved companion. A top priority for any new puppy owner is proper socialization, closely followed by establishing good manners. The goal is to have a dog that is not only friendly and confident around new people and experiences but also refrains from jumping up. It’s a common challenge to balance the critical window for early socialization with the development of good behavior, but it is achievable with the right approach. The fundamental principle in dog training is that dogs learn best what they are taught first. We want to avoid correcting a puppy during socialization for fear of creating negative associations with new people or specific characteristics. This is where the concept of “one event learning” comes into play, where a single negative experience can lead to fear. Fortunately, with careful planning and consistent effort, you can cultivate both a well-socialized and well-mannered dog by focusing on two key strategies: preventing bad habits from forming and teaching desirable alternative behaviors.
Preventing Bad Habits
A crucial aspect of early puppyhood is the opportunity to prevent undesirable behaviors before they become ingrained. When your puppy is greeting people, keeping them in your arms can be an effective way to stop them from developing the habit of jumping up. Dogs are motivated by rewards, and if a puppy learns that jumping up leads to the reward of human attention and close contact, they will continue this behavior. Holding your puppy allows them to interact positively with new people without the need to jump. For larger breeds that may be too heavy to lift consistently, encourage visitors to get down to the puppy’s level to greet them. The overarching aim is to stop bad habits at their inception rather than attempting to correct them later. By implementing preventative measures, you can nip problematic behaviors in the bud.
Teaching an Alternative Behavior
This strategy is truly the cornerstone of successful dog training. By teaching your dog an alternative behavior, such as sitting, that is incompatible with jumping, you can resolve a significant portion of the problem. If your young dog learns to consistently sit for attention, they will be unable to jump up. Imagine the satisfaction of having your dog sit politely for greetings instead of jumping. The question then becomes: how do we effectively convey this message to your dog?
Teaching Your Dog to Sit
The process begins with using highly motivating rewards to teach your dog that sitting is a very positive action. It’s easy to underestimate the importance of a solid “sit” command, assuming dogs will naturally understand it. However, overlooking this fundamental cue can create a significant gap in your training, leading to a dog that only partially understands or reliably executes the command. To your dog, “sit” should mean precisely that: to sit and remain in position until released, irrespective of any distractions. It is worthwhile to invest ample time in teaching a stable and enduring “sit.” Gradually introduce distractions and reward your dog with their favorite treats when they make good choices.
Teaching Your Dog to Say Hello While Sitting
Once your dog reliably holds a sit position, you can begin integrating the greeting aspect into their training. Start with simple steps, such as having a person approach or stand near your dog while you reward them for maintaining their sit. Always utilize your dog’s most prized rewards during this process. As the greeting becomes more stimulating, gradually increase the difficulty while maintaining a high reward value. Progress from a person simply being present, to them speaking to the dog, and then to them touching the dog.
Generalizing Your Training Across Different Environments
After your dog has mastered sitting for greetings in a controlled setting, it’s important to generalize this behavior to various locations and situations. The front door of a home is often a high-excitement area for puppies when the doorbell rings. Training in this specific scenario is invaluable for helping your dog understand the expected behavior. Initially, set up practice sessions with other household members or people your dog already knows and isn’t overly excited to see. Begin by having the person stand in the doorway with the door closed. Progress to an open door, then have them ring the bell with the door open. Finally, go through the entire routine of a closed door, bell rings, and the door opening. Teaching your dog in a controlled, set-up situation will foster success and reinforce the desired behavior. Be proactive and prepare for real-life scenarios rather than waiting for a guest to arrive. The sign shown in the accompanying image is an excellent example of proactive planning for a puppy in training, demonstrating fantastic foresight.
Ultimately, the core principle remains: dogs engage in behaviors that are rewarding to them. By strategically setting up situations to your advantage, your dog will learn to exhibit both excellent social skills and good manners. Happy training!
Shannon Viljasoo joined the McCann team in 1999. She is the Director of Online Training and Content for McCann Professional Dog Trainers and enjoys writing about dogs and dog training for the McCann blog. She currently shares her life with two Tollers and is passionate about helping people build the best possible relationship with their canine companions.
