How to Teach Dog to Jump Over Objects

Dogs love to jump. Even if you are not training for agility, it's still a fun and easy trick to teach. It's a good game to play inside on wintry days, and every dog can benefit from learning something new.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Anything at all your dog can jump over
• Treats
• Toy

1. Start low with anything your dog can jump over--a broom handle, roll of carpet, two by four or a row of books. Face the way your dog will jump, say "jump" and toss a toy or treat over the object. Move with him to get him going.

2. If your dog doesn't jump but runs around it, try not to let him get the reward. Set the object against a wall or furniture so he has no choice but to jump over it. Off a big "yes" and party when he does. Don't correct him for not doing it "right," just don't reward or praise for behavior you don't want.

3. Make it a game. Get your dog excited. Increase the height of the jumps, and get him going over multiple objects. Once he has the basic idea, having him jump over an outstretched arm or leg or through a tire or hoop will be easy. Impress your friends.

4. Use this game as a way to reinforce "sit" and "stay." Have your dog sit and wait until you tell him "jump." If you are training for agility, use the opportunity to work on start-line stays.

5. 
   big jump!

   Make it more challenging as he gets proficient. Increase your distance from the jump, make him jump away or towards you, have him practice tight turns as he jumps. If you are in agility classes, your instructor can give you single-jump exercises to practice at home.

Tips & Warnings

• Do this on walks just for fun when you see something he can jump over.
• Always keep your dog's safety in mind, and don't encourage him to jump over something until you know there's nothing dangerous on the other side.
• Don't do this on a slick floor. You don't want your dog to slip and hurt himself.
• Don't encourage him to do this over and over and over.
• With puppies and still growing dogs, avoid high jumps and many repeated jumps because it can lead to injury or joint problems.
• Don't force your dog to jump over anything ridiculously high.

[evgnspaces]

on 5/23/2009 Just hope the dog doesn't learn to jump the fence.

[joyful327]

on 4/13/2008 Great article and tips!!! 5 stars!

[AmyJaine]

on 3/20/2008 Great info.

[MacDonald]

on 2/28/2008 Oh...not necessarily! I didn't start teaching my first agility dog the sport until he was three years old. He's seven now and an agility Champion. :) And we keep going to classes and learning, too.
I have just started training a puppy and since she has no bad habits to undo, I think her agility career will go much smoother.

[MacDonald]

on 2/28/2008 Oh...not necessarily! I didn't start teaching my first agility dog the sport until he was three years old. He's seven now and an agility Champion. :) And we keep going to classes and learning, too.
I have just started training a puppy and since she has no bad habits to undo, I think her agility career will go much smoother.