Jumping over us is one of the habits that many dogs tend to develop. Although it may seem cute to many dog owners, it can quickly become a hassle, especially if your dog is of the larger breed.
A dog jumping at you to greet you can cause injury, especially for children and elderly people. So, it is essential to train your dog to stop jumping over us. Here are some dog training techniques to help you deal with this issue.
1. Ignore the Behavior
One of the easiest ways to stop the jumping behavior is to ignore it. When you come home, and your dog jumps on you, do not make any eye contact, do not talk, and do not touch the dog. This will help prevent reinforcing the behavior.
Turn your back, walk away, and only pay attention to your dog when he is calm. It may take a few tries, but with consistent training, your dog will eventually understand that jumping over us will not get him any attention.
2. The Sit Command
Teaching your dog the sit command can help control his jumping over us. Train your dog to sit when you come near them. When your dog starts to jump, command your dog to sit, and reward him with praise and treats when he follows the command.
Repeat this training for a few days, and your dog will understand that sitting instead of jumping will get him the praise and treats.
3. Train Your Dog to Wait
This training requires some practice, but once your dog masters it, you will be able to control the jumping behavior. Place your hand on your dog’s chest when he starts to jump over you and tell him to wait.
When he is calm, you can give him the release command. Repeat this exercise for a few days until your dog understands the wait command.
4. Use a Short Leash
Using a short leash can also help control your dog’s jumping behavior. When your dog starts to jump over you, pull the leash back, command your dog to sit, and reward him with treats and praise when he follows the command.
Repeat the training until your dog understands that jumping over us is not an acceptable behavior.
5. Provide Another Way to Greet
If your dog loves to jump over you when you come home, you can provide an alternative way to greet him. Teach your dog to give you a high five or a fist bump instead of jumping.
It may take a few tries, but once your dog knows what you expect from him, he will be happy to comply with the new greeting style.
6. Avoid Encouraging the Jumping Behavior
One of the reasons why dogs jump over us is because we encourage the behavior. When we bend down to pet our dogs when they jump, we are reinforcing the behavior.
So, avoid encouraging the behavior by standing tall and not engaging your dog when he jumps over you. Make sure that your family and friends also know about this rule not to reinforce the behavior.
7. Provide Enough Exercise and Stimulation
Bored dogs tend to express their energy in different ways they find suitable, such as jumping or biting. Make sure that your dog gets enough exercise and stimulation every day.
Take him for walks, play fetch with him, and let him play with toys that keep him mentally and physically stimulated.
8. Consistency is Key
Consistency is the key to success in dog training. Make sure that the whole household and the people who interact with the dog know the rules and follow them.
If you do not want your dog to jump over you, make sure that no one in the house encourages the behavior. With consistent training, your dog will learn what is acceptable and what is not.
9. Professional Help
If you have tried all these training techniques, and your dog still jumps over you, it may be time to seek professional help. Hiring a professional dog trainer who knows how to deal with this issue can save you time and frustration.
10. Conclusion
Jumping over us is one of the habits that many dogs develop, but with a little patience and training, you can teach your dog to stop the behavior.
Consistency is essential in dog training, so make sure everyone in the household knows the rules and follows them. Teach your dog the sit command, train him to wait, and use a short leash to control the behavior. Provide your dog with enough exercise and stimulation, and seek professional help if needed.
Remember, training your dog should be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your furry friend.