Dog Jumping - Train Your Dog to Not Jump
You go to a friend's house, dressed nicely and eager to go out for a day together. You walk into the house, and your friend's dog jumps up on you and gets dirt and mud all over your outfit. Dogs that jump do not do so simply because it is a natural instinct; they do so because their owner never taught them not to jump up.
It is true that dogs, especially puppies, get excited when there is a new visitor, but it is an owner's responsibility to ensure that their guests are safe from their dog. To begin training, start by training your dog not to jump up on you. When you are feeding him or whenever you have food, make sure that he doesn't jump. If he does, nudge him down with your knee but do not give any vocal cues. The more you ignore him, the less he will want to jump up on you.
If he starts to jump up on someone else, especially a child, he will be in need of correction. A simple "no" from across the room may not work, especially if the dog has a habit of jumping. If he jumps up, make sure you get to him and give him a correction, tapping him on the side of the neck gently and giving a firm "no". If you can, enlist a friend to help you train by having them come into the house a number of times. When your dog sits and stays calmly, give him praise and give him a treat. The object is to teach your dog that he will only get the attention he is seeking when he is calm and submissive.
Get more dog training information at Sit Stay Fetch.
