Stopping Jumps
Karen Peak
CV & Pet Prospects Draft
Dogs will jump. Many people think a small puppy jumping
is adorable! But when that puppy is now seventy pounds (or even twenty pounds)
of adult, the cuteness wears off. The best way to teach a dog to stop something
is not to let him do it in the first place. So, if you do not want puppy to
jump as an adult, do not let him do it as a baby. Plus, jumping can be
dangerous. A former colleague of mine had her hip broken when a dog jumped on
her and knocked her down. Some people may mistake jumping for an attack and you
could be in legal hot water. Jumping muddies clothes and tears stockings.
Jumping is not a good habit. Also, allowing puppies to jump can injure growing
joints.
Jumping on you:
Dogs like physical security – and this means feeling
balanced when on something. Walk forward as the jump
begins. Do not go backwards as this is a retreat and can encourage a jump.
Just take a step forward so the dog cannot get balanced, this will force him to
put his feet on the ground. There is no kneeing, no yelling, no toe pinching,
nothing punitive, just the dog will not be allowed to gain purchase on your
body. Aside from that, you are ignoring him. When all four feet are on the
ground, the dog gets gentle praise and calm attention. With smaller dogs or
puppies, slide a leg forward; a step could end up with a smaller critter under
your foot. Or with any size dog, lean towards the jump so the dog cannot
balance.
Soon the dog will learn that proper manners increase the
chance of a desired reaction or any reaction. The dog is learning
self-discipline in order to get what is desired (attention).
Jumping on others:
Set up to begin teaching off in regard to jumping up.
Have puppy/dog on lead and collar. Have a second person (family or friend
approach puppy). When puppy/dog jumps, immediately give a firm “Off!” And guide
puppy/dog off and to the side. Do not pull straight back, it can actually
encourage a jump. Do not yank puppy off his feet. You could hurt him. Once
puppy is off, walk the puppy/dog away a few feet or more. Calmly settle and
have him sit. When he is sitting, have person approach. Should a jump begin,
repeat “Off” and guide away. There can be no greeting if the dog is not
sitting.
All family members and friends must enforce off. If
only mom or dad enforces “off,” and the kids or Aunt Edna allows it, puppy/dog
will confuse and think jumping is OK or just get really stressed about it.
Insist people wait until puppy is sitting before they greet him. Feel free to
explain you are trying to teach Puppy good manners when people say “hi.” Most
people will appreciate this!
And remember, the longer undesired behaviors go on, the
longer it will take to stop them. So if you have allowed your pet to jump on
people for the past year or two, this behavior will not be stopped overnight!
