how do i get my dog to stop jumping on people when they come in the door?

Question

I have a boxer mix that is very excitable. When ever someone comes over she bum ruches them when they come in the door. she has hurt people so i need to figure out how to make her stop.

Answer 1

You need to give her something else to do. Instead of just telling her NO, you need to say NO and give her another behavior for which she can get rewarded (ie pets and greetings). I use sit. When my dog jumps up, I tell him "No! Bailey, Sit!" Once he sits, then he gets pets immediately. Also instruct any visitors that if even one of his feet is off the floor, they may not pet him. We call this "4 on the floor." In order to get attention, he MUST have all 4 feet on the floor. If his feet come off the floor, the petting/attention ceases.

Another thing I've heard works is that dogs often will not jump up if they have something in their mouth, so you can teach your dog to go get a toy when the doorbell rings or someone knocks. With the toy in her mouth, she shouldn't jump. Of course, I don't know if this will work or not as I haven't tried it consistently.

Answer 2

Cagney and Garfield has a good answer, leash the dog, dont allow the dog to meet the people at a full run to the door. Have a friend help you, one that is not afraid. A family member too. You need a sound to get the dogs attention. A harsh NO or SHHHS, even a can or bottle full of pennies or screws. When the door rings, knocks, or opens. You have to correct the dog immediately. Use the words or can, get the dogs attention. Make her sit quiet before answering the door. have the people entering be calm and assertive, dont stare at the dog or give the dog cutsey words or praise. Tell them to say NO, dont suggest putting up a knee to the dog, it does nothing to teach them and what happens is people are not good on one leg thats why we have 2. A boxer is a heavy powerful dog and to meet a big boxer on one leg is a disaster. Your liable to fall and hurt yourself, and the dog.People can wait. DO NOT GIVE HER ATTENTION or PRAISE or LOVE at the door. Ask the people to totally ignore her till she is quiet and sits for a given period of time.Repitition is key, sticking with training is a must. Praise and affection when you get good results are the needed tools. Choke collars, electric collars are not needed but a good slip collar, martingale, or corrective leash that is high on the neck right behind the ears is the most effective. Boxers are strong you need lots of strength and dominance. NEVER hit or strike your dog while training it will only frighten and cause aggresion in the dog.

Answer 3

Attach a leash, make them sit. When they are sitting drop the leash on the floor and then step on it. This will make the leash just long enough for the dog to sit, stand or lay down comfortably. . . but if they jump then the leash pulls them back down. Have the friend come near so the dog will try jumping but won't be able to. When the dog has all four paws on the ground have your friend and yourself praise the dog. Ignore when she jump, praise when all four paws are on the ground. I did this with my super excitable german shepard and she quit after about 2 or 3 days. She now runs to our guest and sits right in front of them!

Answer 4

Take a small, light object, like a book of matches, and drop it on the dog's back when the dog is doing something wrong. Instinctively, the dog will turn to see what hit it. Pick up the object and allow the dog to smell themselves ON the object. Next, tell them, " No, this is bad. Get on your blanket".

There is a connection between the smell and a teachable moment. I've had great success with this and it doesn't hurt the animal. Repeat as needed. You may need to leave the object by the door, but in repeated instances, simply showing the object should remind the dog. Upon seeing this, the dog will go to it's blanket and be quiet.

Answer 5

Have you ever read Marley and Me? It has the solution in there! When the dog comes up and jumpes knee him hard. Not hard enough to really hurt him just enough to get the message across! Do this until he stops!

Answer 6

put a leash on her. make her sit and become calm before opening the door. if she tries to get up to go to the people, make her sit and become calm again. she gets no attention from anyone while in an excited state. the leash will protect your guests and give you control of the dog until she learns better. best if you can have a friend come over and let you practice with them. let them know not to acknowledge the dog at all until she is in a calm state. good luck.

Answer 7

Let her wear a leash around the house. Before you open the door when company comes, make her sit next to you, and stand on the leash. This way when she tries to jump, she is sort of correcting herself. With the leash already on her, it will be easier to correct her when people are in and about the house.

When you correct her, use a word like "OFF" or "NO JUMP" firmly and make her sit.

Try not to use "Down" as that is usually used for "Lay down".

Good luck, and be consistant

Answer 8

Keep a leash by the door and put it on her when the doorbell rings. Then make her sit before you open the door. Praise her when she sits nicely when the door is opened. Have a friend help you practice with this regularly until she learns that she gets positive attention for sitting nicely and not jumping.

Answer 9

Our old boxer did that too. You need to tell him no and pull him down everytime he does that. Or hold his collar so he cant jump when you open the door. I dont think this ever worked for our dog but you can try. The only way we got our dog to be calmer was chopping his balls off :( He also got fat and lazy. good luck.

Answer 10

Whenever he jumps, put your knee out so he understands that he shouldn't jump, also try putting your palm of your hand out so it pushes his head down, while he is in the air jumping, it worked with my dog. He sits now instead of jumping.