How to Train a Dog to Stop Jumping

So I was just browsing the net today trying to see what people are concerned about when it comes to their dogs and noticed that a ton of people want to know how to train a dog to stop jumping. Here is what people were exactly writing all over the net:

How to stop a dog from jumping?
How do you stop my dog from jumping?
How to keep a dog from jumping?

Okay, so I think you get the point! While many people are flattered when they receive an enthusiastic greeting from their dog, too much enthusiasm that results in your dog jumping on you can be a bit too much. As an owner you may be able to put up with it, even if it annoys you, but what about friends and family that may come and visit? Will they like your dog to jump all over them? And what about if they have young children in the house? These are just some of the reason why you may want to learn how to train a dog to stop jumping.

There are two ways to help keep a dog from jumping on people. One is known as the ignore method while the other is a plain prevention (or stop) method. I’ll start with the ignore method.

How to Train a Dog to Stop Jumping

The Ignore Method

This method is rather simple yet effective. When your dog begins to jump, just turn your back to the dog. When the dog’s back paws are on your back ignore your dog completely. If your dog stops and tries to come to the front to jump again, do the same thing; simply turn your back to your dog while he is jumping.

In the early stages of this method, your dog will eventually stop and may be even sit or stand still. She may even just begin to leave. As soon as your dog one of these behaviors you should immediately give your full attention to your dog and praise him and even give him a treat.

In some instances, especially in the beginning of the stop your dog from jumping routine, your dog may begin jumping again once you give her some attention again. If this does happen then you should again begin to ignore your dog and turn your back when necessary.

The reason this method of dog training is so effective is because you are not giving your dog any attention (even negative) when he starts jumping on you. By ignoring your dog, you are teaching him that jumping on you does not get him any kind of attention.

How to Train a Dog to Stop Jumping

The Stop Method

The Stop Method is also another dog training technique that will help keep a dog from jumping on you. Every time your dog begins to jump on you, gently push your hand downward against their face towards the ground. Be repeatedly doing this your dog will eventually stop jumping as they will not be happy with your reaction. I understand that many people will not prefer this method and to be honest I don’t use it either. I prefer the Ignore Method when I was training my Boxer dog not to jump up on me.

How to Train a Dog to Stop Jumping

The Sit Method

The Sit Method is another way you can train your dog not to jump. If you haven’t already done so please visit my post on how to train a dog to sit. Please keep in mind that for you to be able to keep your dog from jumping using this Sit Method, your dog must have mastered the “sit”. If they haven’t then this technique probably won’t be effective.

The idea here is to stop your dog from jumping before he even does so. What you are really doing is replacing a behavior (in this case jumping), with another desired behavior (sitting). When you think that your dog is about to jump up on you, when you come home for example, give your dog the “sit” command. It is important that you do this before your dog even begins to jump or it won’t be effective.

If your dog does site then give her lots of praise so she know that sitting when you come home will get her lots of praise and attention If you give your dog the sit command but she ignores you and starts to jump, then simply revert to one of the other methods like the Ignore Method.

So are just a few of the more popular methods that will help you keep a dog from jumping. I personally recommend the Ignore method as I find it to be the most effective. If you follow the methods above you will see that learning how to train a dog to stop jumping is rather easier than it sounds.

Berto