One of the most common behavior issues we see with young puppies is their propensity to jump on people! They’re just so excited! They want to hug you, and kiss you, and get that treat in your hand. The only problem is that when they get big it won’t be cute, and it might actually cause some injuries. So how do you make it stop??
Many people have been taught to just push the dog back down with their hands or to knee them in the chest. Unfortunately a lot of dogs see this as play, or a form of the attention they were seeking, and they keep doing it. Other people react with some sort of punishment, such as a tap on the nose, or I’ve even seen a shock collar used when they’ve reached the frustration level. Unfortunately, punishments can backfire. Nose tapping can make a dog head-shy, which makes it difficult later for owners or a vet to examine the dog’s face, or to get unwanted things out of their mouth. Shock collars in general will increase a dog’s anxiety and in some cases can lead to aggression.
So what can you do? The first step is to remove your attention when the dog jumps up. Tuck your arms close to your body and step back or turn away from your dog. Ask him to sit. Reward the very second his bottom hits the ground! You can give praise/petting, or a treat. Be sure the treat comes down to his nose level right away! If you hold it above his head he WILL jump to get it! If he jumps back up out of excitement or to get his treat before you’ve gotten it to his mouth, pull the treat and your attention away again until he sits again. You must be quick with the rewards to get your point across! If everyone is on board with this at home your dog will catch on quickly.
What happens when they’re doing great sitting to greet family members, but start their old jumping habits when friends come over? (Especially the dog-loving friends that say they don’t mind the jumping!) Initially you might put the dog in another room until everyone is in the house and settled, then let the dog out to greet everyone in a more low-key atmosphere. If your friend is willing to help you train, walk them through the steps above, and provide some treats for them to give as rewards. If you do this consistently he should learn to avoid jumping up on everyone.
