How do I keep my puppy from jumping on guests?

Question

I have a 6 month old Yorkie/Chihuahua mix. She has known the command "sit" since she was 10 weeks old. However, whenever people come around she won't listen to my commands and goes hyper. I usually end up having to leash her or put her in her kennel. How do I get her to settle down?

Answer 1

Few ways of handling this:

1. Forewarn your guests that you are still training your dog not to jump up on visitors. Don't open the door until your dog is sitting. Then open the door. If your dog breaks her hold, immediately reprimand her while telling your guests to ignore her.

2. Tell your guests not to give any attention, not even eye contact, with the dog when they come in. Only when she sits calmly may they give her attention.

3. Leash your dog when you anticipate guests over. When they arrive and you and your dog make a dash for the door, tell her to sit, then step on the leash so that she only has enough leverage to sit, but not jump up.

4. Train your guests. :P You can predict when she is going to jump, and when she does, lift your leg, bending at the knee, and push against her (not kicking!) to force her back down while saying to her 'NO!'

She is learning to not respect you and your commands. Make sure you only tell her ONCE. That's it. You have to lay down the law and be consistent. If you keep telling her over and over, she will develop a 'oh, you don't mean it' attitude. Nip it in the bud right away. It is also a lot harder with these small breeds becuz they feel they HAVE to jump, since you're way up there.

When she does sit calmly and quietly, people should bend down to her level and praise her...not the other way around. ;)

Good luck!

Answer 2

It is so hard with toy breeds, they can be very hyper! Give her time, she is young yet. Hopefully, she'll settle down. In the meantime, don't let her around people who don't want to be jumped on. Work on her jumping with family members. Put her on a leash and when she jumps, pull down on the leash and tell her "no." You might want to teach her to stay as well. Your best bet is to take her to a basic obedience class. This would be a great help! My 6 month old Sheltie has taken obedience and is like an adult dog. She is so well mannered! She still has her moments though 'cause she is still a puppy. Like I said, try obedience classes, work on her at home, and most importantly, give her time.... GOOD LUCK!

Answer 3

I have found that the more people come around the better they get..if you need to leash her do so that way you have control over what she is able to do. Be patient with her she is still learning... when she goes to jump on some one pull the leash and say no jump or down what ever command works for her.....

Good luck

Answer 4

When the momma dog wants the puppy dog to know that she doesn't like his behavior, she will totally ignore him and not make eye contact. Use dog language to teach your puppy not to jump up on people--IGNORE HIM!

Remember, when they are doing the negative behavior, you are NOT ignoring him when you are giving him commands or yelling at him to stop. You must totally "cut off" contact with him--this is how he learns that jumping is bad.

Train him like this--walk in the door to get puppy excited and have him jump up on you. When he does, turn around and face your back to him, totally ignoring him. When he calms down again, turn around him and praise him and pay attention to him. ONLY do this when he has all 4 feet on the ground!

Once he has gotten the idea that you ignore him when he jumps up on people, you can teach him to approach someone and "sit". The "ignoring" part will make him receptive to your commands, as it is very uncomfortable for them to be ignored. Give him a treat when he greets a guest with a "sit". Just make sure you have treats handy when guests come over to reinforce the good behavior. He will learn that this is the proper way to greet a guest.

Bottom line--ignore the jumpy puppy, pay LOTS and lots of attention to them when all 4 feet are on the ground, ignore them/turn your back (do NOT make eye contact) when they are jumping up.

Good luck!

Answer 5

She is greeting them the best way she knows how. Dogs jump all over one another to say 'hello'.

If she doesn't know how already, teach her the 'sit' command.

Practice until you know she has it down pat. Have some friends or relatives come over before your real trial run with guests. Ask them to enter one at a time. When they come in, they should shake hands with you, talk, and whatnot. While greeting you they should pay no attention to the puppy. Tell her to sit. If she jumps on you or them, fold your arms and have them do it, too. Turn your backs and repeat the command. Do not acknowledge her until she sits. When she does, unfold your arms and greet her.

Repeat this with all the people you had come over. She will catch on. Puppies live to please. All you have to do is teach her a new approach to greeting people, and she will be glad to do it.

Answer 6

As soon as people come in and she begins this behavior, tell the people to ignore her and not reward her for doing it!

Calmly and assertively tell her to sit and re-focus that negative energy into something more positive.

Six months is still a puppy, so it will probably take a little while for this to work, but it will, and your guests will appreciate it.

Answer 7

Lots of good tips here. Schedule a friend or neighbor to come over on a daily basis and practice constantly on lead following the other tips. You need some consistence with the pup.

Answer 8

When you have guests over and she jumps on the guest just pop her LIGHTLY on the butt and tell her no.

if that doesnt work then try "introducing" her to the guest. Put her on the leash and let her smell the guests. Let the guest bend down to pet her and if she trys to jump up on the guest just pop her.

hope this helps ♥

Answer 9

Push her down & say, sternly: "DOWN!" or "NO!" Be consistant - NEVER let her get away with it without reinforcing with the same method of commmand. You may have to continue to leash her for awhile but don't put her in the kennel. She has to learn how to behave. Good luck!

Answer 10

Check out the Dog Whisperer on National Geographic TV channel. He can help and he does not hit, shove or abuse the dogs in any way.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/