What are some good ways to teach your dog not to jump up every time you come near him?

Question

I am training a foster 2yr old right now. He only knows sit. I still have trouble with my other dog jumping up. He obeys no jump sometimes but gets crazy when he's excited.

Answer 1

I learned this on a dog program. When you come up to your dog, if he jumps, turn your back to him.. don't say anything [negative or positive] He's jumping on you for attention, because he's happy, etc. Once he's down, turn back, if he does it again, keep repeating this. He'll learn that you don't want him to be jumping. And another thing, if you give him food, even if it's treats.. Give it to him at his level so he'll learn to not jump for things [that are for or not for him]. Hope that works for you! Good luck.

Answer 2

If the excitement is all about YOU, then you've got to change something about your nehavior. Typically this means ignoring the dog when you come in the house -just go about your business normally without a lot of fuss and attention. When you are READY for play and affection, use a cue, such as "wanna play?"

It can also be helpful to teach the dog a command which is the opposite of the bad behavior. I note you've taught "sit," and "down" is another (as in "lie down"). Practice the command in the area (near the front door or wherever) that the bad behavior usually takes place, using a dog bone or snack as an OCCASIONAL reward. Once the dog starts to "get it," then go outside, come in again and issue the command. Now change it so that when someone ELSE comes in, the behavior can be reinforced. You get the drift.

The reason for using food rewards only occasionally (often at first, then later, just every now and then) is what is known as "intermittent reinforcement." Because the dog (or a human, for that matter) never knows for sure when the reward is going to come, it will repeat the desired behavior more often than would be the case if the reward ALWAYS comes.

It is also a good idea, as a sort of background reinforcement, to walk your dog often so as to establish who the boss is. This is a technique the "Dog Whisperer" often uses. It sets the relationship, who's in charge.

Consistency, by the way, is EVERYTHING.

Answer 3

I have attended many obedience training classes with plenty of my hard to handle rescue dogs. I was always taught to speak your word "No Jump" I used "off" keep if different than any other command and always use only those words, so your dog will understand. Don't add something like No Jump darn it? or Stop, No jump, keep it simple or your dog will not understand. Don't say it more than once. Make your command verbally and physically count only once.
When your dog jumps on you, raise your knee and knock him down forcefully but gently while saying your words "No Jump" pretty soon you'll start using you knee before your dog actually makes contact with you, knocking him to a standing position while again, saying No Jump. Soon your dog will understand. Some dogs do take longer to train. Give it time.

Answer 4

Especially for medium and large-sized dog, a nice trick to make the everyday greetings easier is to teach them that if they don't sit, they don't get cuddled and greeted. Instead of big jumpy dogs, you can have one that is glued to the floor waiting for your attention (a lot less intimidating for guests too.)

How:
When you come home, say "sit". If they sit, award with your full attention, cuddle, hug, treat, whatever. If they get up, you turn away and stop the attention. Don't say sit over and over, it won't help. Just ignore. Greeting finished, no more cuddle. If you're consistant, and make sure that you really award any sitting with your attention, you can get nice results with this, and no need for any physical corrections at all. The dog will learn that calm behaviour is rewarded, and jumping and crowding you won't work.

Answer 5

I love watching pet shows and what I have gathered is the best thing you can do is: as soon as they start to jump turn your back to them and refuse to Acknowledge them untill they calm down completely, once they stop face them and pat them with a "good dog" do this whenever he jumps. get some good friends over to help practice- it will be better if he gets it from more than one person. B.T.W this works because when he jumps he is after attention and when he does'nt get it he should give up on jumping.
Good luck!

Answer 6

We had a dog trainer at our house when we put in our fence and he said to try several things:

1. Ignore and turn away.
2. When they jump up on you step on their feet and give a firm "No"
3. If it is a larger dog when they jump up and keep their paws on you you can lift your knee into their chest and give them a firm "No".

Reinforce them with praise when they do the desired action. You may have to repeat over and over. Have others come to the house and practice with the dog too.

We have helped three dogs with these options. One still jumps on only two people, my MIL and SIL. I guess it is because they still reinforce her with a "Hi, how are you doing" when she does it rather than a ignoring her or stepping on her toes.

Answer 7

We have two dogs and have found that the turn away method was best for them. Some trainers also recommend to step into them with a little force. It will knock them down which they will not like.

Answer 8

Wow all this say no jump and kneeing plus stepping on his paws....golly.....I just invite them to jump and when they do I grab their scuff and pull them straight up at me....if possible right off the ground and then let them back down in the fastest manner possible...this triggers a reflex response...pulling them at you makes them want to pull away...lifting them off the ground makes them want to return to it....both are what you want...reward it...

Answer 9

Watch Animal Planet and the Cesar Millian show. He is so amazing with dogs. He has books out also.

Answer 10

I agree with Laurie Lou. That method has worked the best for me in the past.