(see video below)
Jumping for Joy
“meet & greet without lifting your feet”
Typically dogs will jump up on you to get closer, or to get your attention. So, if you push the dog away and say “no” or “get down” you are very likely reinforcing the behavior you want to stop, Realizing that the dog see’s this as attention (i.e. you’re talking to him), it’s working quite well. You may even find yourself leaning over him to scold him, or sometimes even pushing him away. Jackpot! You looked at him, yelled at him, got closer to him, put your hands on him, etc.
I will typically turn my back on a dog that’s going to jump on me and take a step away at the same time. This will keep the dog from hanging on to the back of my legs--since he will likely fall to the floor! Once the dog is down with “four-on-the-floor,” I quickly turn back to face him with a smile, light praise or somehow let him know that it’s a good thing. If he jumps again, repeat this over again until he gets it. And he will. Do not use treats or effusive praise for this. You are not rewarding his jumping up and falling down, you are just trying to capture him in the right position and let him know it. This serves to clearly demonstrate to the dog that “when you jump on me, I go away, and when you are on the floor, I come back.” As usual, there is really no need for words. Your actions will scream!! For those who are inclined to use physical punishment for this behavior, think about this. Your dog is trying to get closer to you, to your face, because he’s happy to see you. Is kneeing him in the chest, stepping on his paws, or pinching his toes, a fair response to his affection?
You can also ask your dog for a “sit” as you approach him before he gets a chance to jump on you. Or even a “down” if he knows it. These are incompatible behaviors to jumping, since you cannot jump and sit at the same time.
If you’re frustrated with trying to stop unwanted behavior, there is a better way. Please ask me about this. Send me a text or an email or call me at Handle with Care Dog Training 805-328-8030.
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