Dog Jumping: Why They Jump & How to Train Them Not To

How to Train a Dog Not to Jump on People

Are you wondering how to train a dog not to jump? Luckily, there are many methods for teaching your pet to keep all four paws on the ground.

To identify what type of training you dog needs, you'll first need to consider the context in which your dog jumps. Are they jumping on the couch or other furniture, or on guests who come to your home? Are they trying to hurdle the fence in your yard? Once you determine exactly what you want to stop, you can put methods in place to curb the habit. It's easier to train your dog to do something rather than not to do something.

For example, if your dog jumps on people:

• Start by training your dog to sit, lay and stay, and then reward your dog with treats when they're following your orders and staying calmly.
• Regularly practice this positive reinforcement so that your dog will get the attention they're seeking in a positive manner.
• If your dog does jump, turn your body away from them to discourage the behavior. By showing any attention to the jumping, you're reinforcing the behavior.
• Avoid yelling if your dog jumps up, as this may reinforce the behavior.
• Consider leashing your dog; confining them to a different area of the home, either behind a door or a baby gate or crating them when people will be coming over.
• As your dog progresses with their training, invite a friend or family member over. Have them ring the doorbell as you make your dog sit and wait. When you open the door, have them continue to wait as you let your guest inside. Then, reward your dog for their good behavior. With continued training, your pet will begin to understand that jumping on people won't be allowed.

To manage jumping on furniture or other belongings, you'll want to follow similar training methods, and remove anything your pet may be jumping for. For example, if you have treats on the table, and your pet is jumping toward the treat jar, consider hiding the container in a closet while you work on the behavior. The dog gates mentioned above can help keep your pet in one area of the home so that they aren't jumping on the bed while you're downstairs doing the dishes or cleaning up around the house.

Remember, jumping is a behavior that can change with some training. If you're having trouble, consider working with a behavior specialist. Some dog trainers are willing to come to your home and train your pet on their own turf. Otherwise, your pup can join a class with other dogs and get the added benefit of socialization.