Jumping Up – And Settling Down

After long day, there’s nothing like opening the front door and being greeted by an ecstatic pet. Their excitement and love is enough to encourage a smile on the worst of days, or serve as the icing on the cake for the best of days. However, when a pet’s instinctual need to jump up and say hello becomes more of an intrusion than a warm welcome, it’s time to start being proactive and addressing their need to jump up.

Dogs are naturally prone to greeting humans the same way they greet their four-legged friends: with bounding joy and kisses. While their intentions are good, this obviously isn’t a viable option for pet owners or their guests. Training a pooch to resist the urge to jump up when greeting a human is a process, but one well worth the effort. Dogs must be trained to keep four paws on the ground to receive an affectionate and hearty hello. So where to begin? It all starts with the owner.

Tips to get started:

• Use the word “off” when your dog jumps up instead of the word “down.” This avoids confusion between the command to lie down and the command for the dog to be off your body.
• Avoid shouting at the dog when he/she does jump up. This only heightens their excitement and causes them become more prone to jumping. Be calm, and encourage a calm reaction from your pet.

Basic training sequence:

• Keep your hands and eyes away from your pet until all four paws are on the floor.
• If the dog jumps up, ignore him. Stand still, and do not look at the dog.
• Once the dog has all four paws on the floor, give a “sit” command.
• Immediately grant the dog attention for sitting with all four paws on the floor.

Extra practice:

• If your dog is waiting for you inside of a room, crack the door and instruct him to “sit” before entering. Repeat the basic sequence if needed.
• Invite a friend over who is comfortable with animals and understands that they’re helping with your dog’s training. This person can be a good test to see how your dog’s progress is coming along.

Practicing the above will train your dog to understand that keeping four paws on the ground results in affection and praise. While the process may take some time, it’s important to remain consistent and not get discouraged. Certain breeds are extremely prone to being active, and may be more challenging to train than the average pet. If jumping up persists and additional help is needed, finding a trainer who can help with behavior issues and concentration is a beneficial step. It’s A Dog’s World K – 9 Academy employs CPDT trainers who can assist with lovable dogs who feel the need to jump up. For more information contact thebestdog@verizon.net.