When a dog jumps on guests, it can be very annoying. When a dog jumps on children it can be terrifying. Rarely will you come across anyone who thinks your dog's jumping is cute. Instinctively, a puppy will jump on his mother for attention. You reinforce this by picking up a puppy when he jumps on you. It takes training, some of it directed towards you, some towards the dog.
Things You'll Need
- Leash
Instructions
Make sure everyone in the household is on the same page when it comes to modifying this behavior. If one person in your house continues to allow the behavior, it will not work.
Give the command "off" when your dog jumps on you. Do not yell or frighten the dog. Just be firm. If the dog does not get down, you can take his paws and place them on the ground. There is no need to be rough with the dog, just firm. Do this every time your dog jumps up.
Praise your dog and give him a lot of affection when he does a good job. Giving him treats or his favorite toy will help to reinforce the behavior you want, that is, getting down.
Place your dog on a leash when you are expecting children or adult guests. When the guests arrive, do not allow your dog to jump. Place your dog in the sit position before you open the door. If he gets wild and starts to jump, you can give him a short pull and put him back into the sit position. Tell your guests not to acknowledge your dog until he is sitting calmly and not jumping. Once the dog is sitting calmly, have the child or the adult guest pet the dog. If the dog begins to get wild again, the guest should turn and walk away. This should be repeated every time you have a guest. It is helpful if you have someone who is willing to help you work with the dog repeatedly.