Frustrated with your dog jumping on everyone? If so, you’re not alone! This is a common challenge new dog owners face. However, it’s vital to teach our furry friends how to greet people without jumping.
Dogs jump to express excitement or seek attention. This behavior can be overwhelming or even unsafe, especially if there are children or elderly individuals involved.
As a therapy dog trainer, I want to share with you effective methods on how to train a dog not to jump on people.
5 Tips To Train Your Dog Not To Jump On People
1. Consistency is Key
Start by ensuring everyone in the household is on the same page. Consistency is crucial when training your dog. If one person allows the dog to jump while others do not, it will confuse your dog and make training more difficult.
2. Teach Your Dog the ‘Sit’ Command
The ‘sit’ command is incredibly useful in managing jumping behavior. Before opening the front door or when you anticipate your dog might jump, ask them to sit. Reward them for obeying this command, and only then greet them or allow others to do so. This teaches the dog that sitting leads to positive attention, not jumping.
3. Turn Away from Jumping Behavior
When your dog attempts to jump up on people, turn away from them and ignore the behavior. Dogs crave attention, and by not giving it when they jump, they will learn that this behavior doesn’t get them what they want.
4. Praise for Keeping Paws on the Ground
Whenever your dog greets someone without jumping, make sure to give them plenty of praise and treats. This positive reinforcement helps your dog understand that keeping their paws on the ground is the right way to behave.
5. Practice with Controlled Situations
Regularly practice greetings in a controlled environment. Have a friend or family member approach the front door or meet you while walking your dog. Each time your dog, use the sit command and reward them for not jumping. The more you practice, the quicker your dog will learn.
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