If your dog keeps jumping up on you or other members of your family, you know how to stop my dog from jumping on you. It’s really annoying. It happens when you least expect it, when your dog is so hyperactive and in-heat that he just can not sit still. Or, maybe your dog does not like to be on the sofa or bed, whichever might be the reason.
So if your dog keeps jumping up on you or others, how do you deal with his behavior? One of the best dog training tips is to simply ignore him. This is easier said than done when your dog whines, barks or simply wants some attention. However, it is one of the more effective dog training tricks you can use.
The first step is to set a “floor rule” with your dog. Your dog must learn that you are the boss and he must follow the rules or you will not get to play with him anymore. Make sure to use a similar incentive system to treat your dog when he jumps on you. That means something positive for when he jumps on you; a pat in the head or food treats. Also make sure to give him a verbal reward whenever he remains on his own or learns to sit calmly on a dog bowl.
For the next step, you want to set up a variable schedule. Every time your dog jumps on someone, tell him in a firm, non-angry voice that he is not appropriate behavior. Remind him that he has caused you no harm and that if he keeps this up, you will show him an even bigger incentive next time. Do not punish him for the behavior but instead, reward him whenever he follows the rule. Eventually, with consistent practice, your dog will begin to understand that when he jumps on you, he gets a positive response and a pat in the head or a treat will follow.
To speed things up, you can use a leash for your dog. If you do not have a leash, try using a farricelli or a dog-walking leash. When you do this, make sure to keep your farricelli within arm’s reach and do not pull back the chain until he learns to ignore the farricelli. Remember, never physically punish him for ignoring your farricelli.
Using negative attention as a punishment is not an option in training your dog. Negative attention such as shouting at your dog will only hurt your dog’s self-esteem and could lead to a lack of respect for you. In addition, there is a possibility that your dog will simply ignore you because he does not understand why you are angry with him. Instead of getting annoyed with him, teach him a second habit – the floor rule. Floor rules can be very effective in stopping your dog’s jumping behavior.
In order to teach your dog how to stop dog from jumping on people, work on drawing his attention away from you and towards the dog. Stand still and wait for him to come by. If you have a treat in your hand, pretend to give it to him and distract him with another activity. As soon as he has finished paying attention to you, praise him. This will encourage him to repeat the behavior and finally learn to ignore you and your body instead of focusing on the jump.
As always, practice and patience are the keys to learning how to deal with this kind of dog behavior. As soon as you feel that he has calmed down, return him to his spot on the ground and firmly say “no.” Reward with praise and petting when he behaves appropriately. With consistent practice, you will find that the “floor rule” will be an effective tool in stopping this type of annoying behavior.