How To Stop A Dog From Jumping: A Complete Guide To Polite Paws
While it might seem harmless, excessive jumping can be problematic for both dogs and the people around them. If you’re a dog owner with an overly excitable dog, this guide is for you — we’ll talk about the reasons behind this unwanted behaviour and its negative impacts, before moving on to how to stop a dog from jumping up. By the end of training, your dog will be greeting people more politely!
Understanding the behaviour: why do dogs jump up at people?
Before learning how to stop a dog from jumping up at people, other dogs, cars and things that excite them, know that there are plenty of reasons why they do it. Jumping up is an instinctive behaviour that, believe it or not, establishes social hierarchy within the dog packs in the wild.
And, when learning how to stop a dog from jumping up, owners need to curb their excitement or redirect their attention. Seeing someone they love or anticipating a treat is often a reason dogs hop on their hind legs. Seeking attention or being bored is another. If jumping results in the desired attention, whether it’s petting or a treat, our furry friends learn that this behaviour gets them what they want.
Negatives of jumping: why you should learn how to stop a dog from jumping up
For dogs, constant jumping can result in physical strain, especially if they are a smaller breed or an older dog. From a human perspective, jumping can be intimidating and even dangerous. Large or strong dogs, such as labrador retrievers or bulldogs, can inadvertently knock people over. One push and they can cause injuries or, at the very least, create an uncomfortable or traumatic experience. Additionally, not everyone appreciates a muddy paw print on their clothes!
Training foundations: how to stop a dog from jumping up
Training a dog to stop jumping up requires patience, consistency and the right tools. Here’s our step-by-step guide to help you navigate this training process:
What you’ll need:
- Treats for reinforcing positive behaviour in your dog
- A leash for controlling their movements
- A training collar and a clicker for communicating correct behaviour
How to stop a dog from jumping up:
1. Establish consistent rules
Clearly define rules regarding jumping. Let all of the household members know you don’t like it when your dog does it. Inconsistency in enforcing these rules can lead to confusion for your dog and hinder the training progress.
2. Teach an alternative behaviour
Introduce an alternative behaviour for your dog to exhibit instead of jumping, such as sitting. Use treats and positive reinforcement to reward and reinforce the desired behaviour. That way, you can gradually replace the impulse to jump with a more appropriate action. If a friend visits your home and your dog is about to jump, command them to sit instead.
3. Use the “off” command
Teach your dog the “off” command to tell them that jumping is not allowed and they have to get off something or someone. You can also utilise a training collar to tell them to stop getting something. Use the collar with command consistently when your dog attempts to jump. Then, reward them if they follow the command. Over time, they will associate “off” with the command to not jump.
4. Ignore them when they jump
How to stop a dog from jumping? Ignore them when they do it! Though it may sound counterintuitive, it can communicate to your dog that jumping does not actually get them a treat or a belly rub. Encourage them to seek alternative and more acceptable forms of interaction.
5. Reinforce good behaviour
Reward your dog immediately when they greet without jumping. Positive reinforcement helps them associate their calm behaviour with rewards and encourages them to repeat the action instead of jumping.
6. Practise with various distractions
Gradually expose your dog to different scenarios and people to practise the no-jump behaviour in various contexts. When people walk up to your dog in the park, for instance, give them the “sit” or “off” command. This helps solidify their training regardless of the environment and the stimuli present.
7. Be patient and consistent
Learning how to stop a dog from jumping up takes time — results may not be immediate. Be patient and consistent in your approach, as dogs respond well to routine and repetition!
Stop your dog from jumping with training collars from DogMaster Trainers
Learn how to stop your dog from jumping up with a training collar from DogMaster Trainers! Our training collars deliver a mild vibration around your dog’s neck and is perfect for obedience training. Order today and enjoy fast shipping all over Australia and New Zealand. And if you need any advice on training tools, call us at 0800 364 627 today!