Mastering Anti-Jump Training
A Guide to Polite Dog Greetings
Jumping is a natural behavior for dogs, often used to express their excitement or to say hello. However, it can be problematic, especially when they knock us over or dirty our clothes. At Calvert Dog Training, we offer practical anti-jump training methods to help your dog learn more appropriate ways to greet people.
Understanding Why Dogs Jump
Many dogs jump up simply to greet us. Some jump up because it’s fun to parkour off of us. They’re not aware of human preferences for greetings and don’t realize the potential inconvenience or harm their jumping can cause. With consistent training, this behavior can be effectively changed.
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Anti Jump Level 1: Say Please
The first step in getting your dog to stop jumping is to tell them what you want them to do instead.
The opposite of jumping is sitting, so we incorporate that in our “Say Please” protocol. We begin by asking a dog to use their manners to get things that they want, learning that “sit” is the polite way to get our attention.
Applying the principle of Say Please is simple. Whatever your dog wants, he has to work for. From now on, doors are not opened willy-nilly; balls are not simply thrown. For those, and other privileges you choose, ask your dog to say please by sitting, doing a down, spinning or performing whatever trick he knows.
Anti-Jump Training When Arriving Home
- Open the door slightly. If your dog jumps, close the door.
- Repeat until you can enter without your dog jumping.
- If he jumps on you, turn away. If he persists, step outside and start over.
- Reward him with praise and petting when he keeps all four paws on the ground.
Pro tip: The first time you try this training technique, budget 30 minutes to get through the door.
Parkour! Dogs who jump because it's fun
There are many dogs for whom the “say please” protocol is not enough. These dogs aren’t jumping to get our attention, they are jumping because it’s fun to parkour off of us!
How do you know? Try the “say please” protocol for a week. If you are implementing it consistently, and it’s not working, your dog may be jumping on you just for the fun of it.
It’s time to take the fun out of it. If your dog is a habitual jumper, be patient as it may take time for him to learn new greeting methods. You might implement a “one strike” rule – if he jumps, he’s immediately walked away or moved to another room for a couple of minutes, reinforcing the need for alternative greeting behaviors like sitting.
Ask a trainer how to effectively implement “time-out” for persistent anti-jumpers!
Your Partner in Training: Calvert Dog Training
At Calvert Dog Training, we are dedicated to helping you and your dog master polite greetings and other essential behaviors. Our training programs are designed to provide you with the tools and techniques necessary for effective communication and training with your dog. Explore our resources and join us in creating well-mannered, sociable canine companions.
