THERE are three things in that dogs find very rewarding from their owners. They are when you look at your dog, talk to your dog, or touch your dog. These rewards should be used for correct behaviour and not for unwanted behaviour.
If your dog or puppy is jumping up on people just ignore the behaviour, fold your arms and turn your head and back. This must be done as soon as you anticipate your dog is about to jump up on you. Once the dog has already jumped up it is a bit late, try to be ready next time. If you are sitting down when the dog jumps up on you, just stand up, say nothing, fold your arms and turn your head and back on the dog.
You must NOT look at your dog, touch your dog (including pushing him down), or talk to your dog (including saying NO). If you look at your dog, push him down or say No or shout at him, the behaviour is rewarded by the attention you have given him and he will most likely increase the jumping up behaviour. Even a negative reward (such as saying NO) can be seen by your dog as a positive reward as he is getting the attention he wants. Therefore he is training you to reward him with attention for his unwanted behaviour.
For you to be successful in stopping or preventing your dog jumping up on people, you must be consistent. This is not something that will change overnight - it takes time, consistency and everyone your dog meets must do the same. You may have to be strong in telling people not to pet your dog for jumping up on them. It is your dog and you need to protect both your dog, and the people your dog meets, from unwanted behaviour.
If your dog is getting a reward from time to time from people touching, looking at, or speaking to your dog when he jumps up on them, the unwanted behaviour will increase and become harder to get rid of. You must decide to make sure everyone your dog meets will not reinforce the unwanted behaviour. The training must be consistent so the dog gets to know that jumping up on people is NEVER rewarding and the behaviour will eventually stop.
Once your dog is behaving correctly and not jumping up on people you can then reward your dog with petting and praise. Keep all petting slow and gentle so as not to wind the dog up to jump up again. Dogs are wound up and stressed by fast movements so keep petting and any moving around your dog slow. Watch your dog’s body language and learn from him or her.
Recommended reading: Don’t Shoot the Dog – by Karen Pryor www.qanuk.com
