Does your dog jump up at you and even bite or nip you or your visitors?
Although jumping is a natural behaviour for a dog it can be annoying, embarrassing or even at times downright dangerous.
Jumping happens when a dog becomes excited and is looking to get your attention. They have learned that if they jump you will respond by either:
Petting them and giving them affection as you’re pleased to see them
Pushing them off or shouting at them
Turning around and trying to ignore them
Screaming and stepping backwards
No matter to your dog – Any attention is Good attention!
It’s vital to understand that you are training your dog 24 hours a day. Any time a dog is allowed to repeat a behaviour, such as jumping and nipping, it becomes a default behaviour. If your dog has rehearsed jumping every time they see you, you have inadvertently trained them to do just this.
Many clients tell me that they love it when they come home and their dog jumps all over them and is so pleased to see them. It only becomes an issue when elderly parents, children visit or their dog starts to jump at random strangers on a walk. Even worse if they start to bite with the jump.
The thing is that your dog doesn’t understand why it can jump at you but not at other people. The nipping and biting is simply an extension of their over excitement.
The good news is that jumping is easy to change.
In my experience some techniques do not work.
Pushing a dog down and yelling will actually make a dog more excited as they think you have started a game.
Turning your back rarely works as a clever dog simply follows you or jumps up at your back which is most painful!
Screaming, waving your hands and stepping back encourages the dog to get more excited
Instead you have to change your own behaviour first.
If you or the family greet your dog with excitement you cannot blame your dog for responding. Your dog does not understand that it’s OK to jump on you but not on your visitors, a pregnant woman or little children.
The first step is to be consistent with your approach. The whole family must acknowledge your dog quietly and give no attention or even eye contact until your dog is calm. This is often enough to stop a less persistent jumper.
If you have a serial jumper that won’t stop biting, pop your dog on a lead so that you have control. Either hold the lead firmly down and away from you or put the lead under your foot so the dog can’t jump. Once you have control you have options:
Scatter some treats on the floor to distract your dog
Have a stuffed Kong or Licki Mat ready to offer
Step assertively in to your dog and command them to SIT
The second you have your dog’s attention firmly tell your dog to Sit and offer a treat. You must stay calm and assertive as you do this. Your dog will soon learn that your arrival (or a visitors) means that rather than jumping and biting, something good happens when they are calm and sit.
You have now started the process of re- training your dog to sit instead of jump. Keep consistent and you will soon resolve this troublesome habit.
If you are struggling take a look at my Well Mannered Dog Programme - I can help you quickly resolve any issues you are having with your dog.