JUMPING is one of the most common complaints I hear from new canine guardians. Jumping can be very dangerous if not toned down or eliminated. This behaviour is usually related to a greeting, but whether the greeting is directed at you or only visitors, it is annoying. Dogs like to get right in your face to greet you. Watch a dog greet another dog and you will understand more clearly. All we need to do is teach our dog that it is not acceptable to jump on us and give them an alternative. Sounds easy, right?
An annoying jumping behaviour can be very difficult to get rid of. Depending on the level of excitement your dog gets itself into, the amount of times your dog has been rewarded for jumping, and what you are doing to try to stop it. One of my dogs is a very excitable guy, and it takes every bit of self-control for him not to jump.
If you have been pushing your dog off or away from you, it can become a game. If you do the old knee in the chest, your dog can become upset and jump even more to appease your anger. And, if anyone pets your dog when they jump, they have been rewarding the behaviour.
Starting
The first rule is four on the floor. This means that no matter how excited, wiggly, or barking, you are going to reward your dog if they can keep four feet on the floor. Reward is in the form of treats for this, if you overly praise them they will be back to jumping again. When you deliver treats for this, you will drop them onto the floor so that the treat is not coming from up above. The dog learns quickly that the treats are on the floor, best to stay down there.
- Reward your dog the first second he/she is on the floor. For at least a week, you will ignore (no looking, touching, or talking) your dog's jumping. That is if you do not have a great dane! If you have a large and strong dog, you will walk away when the jumping starts.
- When your dog gets off of you, drop cheerios or small treats onto the floor.
- After the first week and your dog is starting to get the idea, you will add the word "off".
- When those front feet just start to leave the ground, you say "OFF" in a firm voice. Praise them calmly if they get those feet back on the ground. Then start the treat dropping.
- Use your voice to deter the jumping, try not to touch your dog.
- Once your dog is doing well at the four on the floor rule, extend the time between treats until they are getting one treat for not jumping. The time between treats will be extended only if the dog is keeping all four feet on the floor. The time it takes to wean off the treats will greatly depend on the degree of jumper you are working with. Do not set an unobtainable goal.
Petting a jumper
Greeting a jumper can be difficult, but if you get down to their level, it is much easier. Have your dog sit before anyone pets him. No sit, no pet. If they get out of the sit, petting stops and the person walks away.
Boundary
Setting a boundary for when visitors arrive is a very good idea. If you have a clear front entrance boundary, like a floor texture or height change, use that. Your dog learns that they are not allowed to pass a certain point until released. This gives them time to calm. Reward your dog by throwing treats into their safe zone.
Place
If you have a very excitable jumper, start with a boundary and then work on a place. Teach your dog to go to a certain place and "down stay" until released when you have a visitor arrive at your door. This helps to calm the dog because they don't get to greet as soon as the person walks into the door. They see the person, have time to adjust to this person being in the house and then can greet when released.
Help your dog by not giving a huge overly affection greeting when you come home. Walk in the door and past them like you forgot you had a dog. Tell visitors not to pet or talk to the dog until they calm. These things will help to cut down on excitement. - Sherri Regalbuto
