Jumping. On counters, on people, on other dogs, you name it. Jumping can be a very difficult thing to get your dog to stop doing.
We’ll cover more on counter-surfing in a later video in this Dog Training POV Series, but right now we will talk about greeting behaviors and jumping. In the video, Trevor will cover topics like:
- Why dogs jump
- When to work on this behavior
- What you can do about jumping
- How to get your dog to stop jumping during greetings
- A game you can play to get your dog to stop jumping
So without further ado, let’s get started!
DOG TRAINING POV SERIES: DOG JUMPING
Want to see more videos like this? Please click here.
DOG JUMPING OVERVIEW
WHY DO DOGS JUMP?
Wondering why dogs jump on you? Well, dogs can jump for a variety of reasons. It’s a way of getting attention from us, and it is a way to get attention and play with other dogs.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT DOG JUMPING?
If possible, it is good to work on this behavior while your dog is a puppy (especially larger breeds of dogs), so they don’t jump up and knock someone over as they get older. But you can work on this with older dogs as well!
One thing you can do to increase the chances of them not jumping on you, is increase the sit behavior. Teach your dog to sit while greeting you, and have them sit when you pet them during a greeting.
Related Reading: Teach a Dog to Greet Visitors Politely
DOOR GREETING BEHAVIORS
Whether it’s you or a friend/family member coming through the door, here are some tips and games to try to get your dog to stop jumping.
1. DRIVE-BY SITS
When you walk by your puppy, instead of just walking by, stop and approach your dog. Ask them to sit, then give them a treat. Then repeat the next time you walk by them.
BONUS TIP: Work on this game near the front door. When your dog starts to learn, that when they sit they get reinforcements, it can make them more likely to sit than to jump up on you.
2. REINFORCE YOUR DOG WHEN THEY DON’T JUMP UP ON YOU
Encourage and praise your dog anytime you catch them in the act of sitting instead of jumping. It’s so important to reinforce the behavior that you want to see. So this is key!
For more on door greeting behavior, check out this article on Teaching Your Dog to Greet People Politely
If your dog jumps up on the counter… and maybe steals a treat or two (or full meal 😬) the next video is for you! Make sure to follow along on YouTube, to watch every week.
Have any other questions/comments about dog jumping? Let us know in the comments!
Additional Learning: How to Stop a Dog from Running Out the Front Door
