How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping At You

A dog ought not to jump on humans unless commanded to do so. A dog jumping on a human, owner or not, at its own accord is a dog with no regard for the person it is jumping on. A dog is at its happiest if it lives according to a set of rules, and even a toy dog a few weeks old is not exempt from learning that jumping is a clear violation.

At first, it may indeed look homey and normal to a “growing” pet, but actually jumping is a dog's way of expressing that it wants to dominate everybody in the house. Worse, a jumping dog can knock some people and a lot of kids over and dirty their clothes, tear runs into nylon clothing and scratch skin.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• your own dog
• yourself
• ten to fifteen minutes

1. How do you start persuading your Boston (or any dog for that matter) that a Proper Greeting involves four feet on the floor? It’s easy and everything is actually laid out for you, but it will demand some of your time daily and consistency.

2. If you take a step backwards or lean out of a jumping dog's way, the problem is not yet solved and the dog will only keep on jumping. Remember how we pointed out the importance of space in relation to one's rank in the family?

3. The next time your dog jumps on you, enter literally "your space". This means that the next time a dog jumps, you need to step into it sideways with your body, shoulder towards the dog. Note that this is not the same as facing the dog head on. Again, the aim is to simply fill up your space with your body, and in return, set the dog off balance without any need to knock it down. Lean slightly forward, not backward. When you lean back, you may still indicate to the dog that you want to give up your space to it.

4. Without loudly making a fuss about it, keep walking into wherever you are headed. You may end up bumping into the dog in doing so, but stick to the goal just the same of protecting your space and not letting the dog crowd you.

5. As soon as those feet touch the ground, make a show of praising the dog, lean down quickly and reach out to pet it. If he jumps up again, stand up quickly as if to ignore the dog. Some even say that crossing your arms and staring upwards send a clear message.

Tips & Warnings

• A last word of advice: lest you expect too much from your dog, keep in mind that it will take around 20 days for your pet to learn and live out a new lesson. Just give it your best shot and may you reap the rewards!
• The first important detail to keep in mind is that a dog without all four feet on the floor cannot be attended to. A dog that tries to catch attention by leaping or jumping is an invisible dog. And when we are trying to change the dog’s behavior, that's the only point of view that matters!
• Second, designate the behavior which ought to take the place of jumping. All four paws on the floor is a good place to start; a sitting dog is way better. Once you are settled with this, you got a behavior worthy of a treat. Soon the dog will catch on the idea that there is a treat for every good action.
• Third, be consistent. This means that while the Proper Greeting lesson is going on, you cannot now choose to suddenly reward an instance of the dog jumping on humans.