Training A Dog To Jump

If you're like most dog owners, you've dealt with the jumping issue. The fact is, the solution to problem jumping is so simple and so easy that most people don't think it'll work. But before I tell you how to get your dog to stop jumping, here's another fact: If you're like most dog owners, you are inadvertently training your puppy to jump!

Here's how: Whenever he jumps on you, you are turning to your pup, or talking to him, or yelling at him, or worst of all you're actually petting him whenever he jumps on you. This is most likely true if he's under 5 months of age because he's so cute you can't help it.

If your dog is jumping up, and you don't think you're giving him attention for jumping up, believe me: Denial ain't just a river. Set up a videotape recorder for a few days to record you and your family with the pup. You'll see.

The Training Rule

The cardinal rule in dog training is this: Any behavior will increase with reinforcement, and any behavior will decrease without reinforcement. So the way to stop your puppy from jumping is to simply ignore him when he does. Turn away, fold your arms and stand still while he jumps. When he gives up and is back on all fours, quickly get down to his level and give him attention until he jumps up again. And when he jumps, quickly stand up again and turn away until he stops jumping.

Repeat the sequence several times until he stops jumping. In this exercise you are reinforcing the desired behavior (not jumping) and ignoring the undesired behavior (jumping). Practice this every time he jumps up, particularly when you are coming through the front door or entry door and when you are outside or somewhere in public.

Jumping on Your Family, Friends, & Kids

Again, the reason your dog jumps on family and friends is the human reaction he gets. So when they visit, be firm. They'll tell you "oh, it's ok, I love dogs", but do not let them talk you into letting your pup jump on them!

If necessary - and it usually is - leave a note with these jumping instructions outside your entry door. Speak sternly to them if they can't comply with your rules. Tell them this is not about them or what's OK with them - it's about the next elderly person who visits and what's OK with them.

It's the reinforcement that's causing the jumping. Kill the reinforcement, and you kill the jumping.

Tell your children to "be a tree" and have them practice standing still, arms folded and turned away from the dog. It can also be helpful if the child can face a wall while he's "being a tree" for stability and to stop the pup from jumping into his face.

Jumping Exercise 1

This exercise will stop your dog from jumping when someone approaches him (ex., when you come home from work).

Put your puppy on a 4-6 foot leash, and tie the end securely to a doorknob . Put some dog food in your pocket and move about 15 feet away from the pup. Walk slowly but enthusiastically toward the puppy as if to greet him, saying "Hi, Rover, how're you doing buddy?" etc.

As soon as he jumps, stop walking and take a step backward away from the pup. When he stops jumping, start to walk toward him again in the same manner, moving backward one step the instant he starts to jump. Continue this method of approach until you can touch the pup without him jumping up. Praise and feed from that position, moving back again if he jumps up in excitement.

Important: Practice in a wide variety of locations inside and outside your house. Dogs are bad generalizers. If you don't practice outside, he won't stop jumping outside.

Jumping Exercise 2

This exercise will train your pup not to jump on people who approach you while you walk him. You'll need another human to help you, and it's good to practice this exercise with several different adults and children so that your pup will begin to generalize it to the whole population.

Put your dog on leash as you do when going for a walk or to the vet. Have your helper approach from about 15 feet away, slowly but greeting the dog in the manner described above. When the dog starts to jump, your helper stops and takes the penalty step backward. (It's a penalty because your dog really wants to meet this person.) Your helper waits for your dog to stop jumping, and then proceeds.

When your helper gets all the way to your pup, you praise and feed him. This teaches him how to nicely greet people on walks, and to pay attention to you rather than them.

Note: Although many pups will voluntarily sit as they learn this, you should not give the Sit command in these exercises, nor should you require it for praise and food. If he sits, fine, go ahead and reinforce. But if he simply stays on all fours without jumping, you should reinforce that. The point is to teach him to not jump. Sit will come later, and you could easily dilute the power of the word Sit by repeating it ineffectively in a jumping scenario.

Key Features Of Dog Training And Behaviour

I have a Beautiful Collie Dog, but she was only beautiful to look at. No matter what toys I bought her or how many times a day I took her for a walk, she still thought it was her job to make myself or my guests lives a nightmare, Barking, Jumping etc.

I thought she was just an out of control Naughty Dog & I was starting to have second thoughts as I had a Baby on the way. I then decided to take Drastic Action and searched the Internet for an easy to follow, Dog Training Programme.

Heres Some Key Features..

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In just a few weeks My Dog was Totally Transformed, not just beautiful to look at anymore but beautiful to be with too. Now my Baby Daughter is here and my dog won't leave her side. My house is so much less stressful and I can come home to a very excited family pet instead of worrying what Damage my dog had done while I had been out. I found the Training Programmes very easy to use and I even enjoyed spending quality time with my Dog instead of shouting at her most of the time.

Dogs are Mans Best Friends and with a little help can be the best companion you could have. It feels so much better when you actually understand your pet.

If you've got a Dog that could benefit from a Little Training, And a Spare 30 minutes, why not take a look at my Dog Training Reviews, I don't think you will be Disappointed.