When dogs meet, they greet each other face-to-face, but this can become a problem when your companion greets people the same away. Though it comes naturally to our pets, jumping up on people can leave them with scratches and bruises and poses a serious threat to children and frail adults. Fortunately, with some training, you can change your pet’s high-flying behavior.
While most people know they shouldn’t encourage dogs to jump, this knowledge seems to go the window when a cute puppy is involved. While it’s harmless for a young pup, jumping up on people can create problems later in life when dogs are fully grown. While it’s best to train your pet not to jump from an early age, even adult dogs can learn to keep their feet on the floor.
The first step to stopping your pet from jumping is to remove any opportunities to do so. If you know you’re having guests over for dinner, try crating your dog, putting him in a separate room, or readying him on a leash before they arrive. If your pet jumps on you at the door, go back out immediately and try again until he corrects the behavior. This way, Fido has no chance to jump on people while he’s still learning the ropes. Next, teach your dog to stop jumping during greetings by taking away the thing he wants most: attention. By ignoring your pet when he jumps on you, he will soon learn that the best way to earn your affection is keeping all four feet on the ground. Do not push your dog away or engage him at all, but instead, fold your arms across your chest or walk away. Delay your greeting until your pet is calm, with all paws the ground, and then lavish him with attention and praise.
To help with training, keep your greetings low-key. Showering your pet with too much affection will only rile him up and contribute to the problem. If your dog jumps on you or your guests when you come in the door, go back out immediately and try again. With repetition, he will understand the only way to get attention is to stay grounded. You can also try teaching your dog an alternative behavior, such as sitting, to stop him from jumping. Consistency is key when teaching a pet not to jump, so be sure everyone in your household follows the rules. With some practice, you should have a well-mannered pet to greet you every day.
