How to Stop My Dog From Jumping & Scratching the Door

Dogs jump at the door due to overexcitement, to assert dominance or because the behavior is rewarded. Locking the dog in another room as a correction simply results in damage to a different door. Crating the dog removes its ability to jump at the door, but also removes its ability to be loose while the owner is gone and removes its opportunity to interact with guests. Blocking the dog's access to the door, teaching the dog a "place" to stay or teaching the dog to sit quietly for treats can reduce or eliminate this negative behavior.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Collar
• Leash
• Treats
• Clicker
• Optional
• Baby gate or place bed

Blocking Access to the Door

1. Measure the height of the dog. Calculate the height needed to contain the dog by adding half the dog's height to the original measurement.

2. Measure the width of the opening. Gates exist for many openings, some exceeding 6 feet in length. If the dog is a forceful jumper, then a wall-mounted gate is the most effective.

3. Mount the gate on the wall, using the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Show the dog the gate, praising it or clicking and treating for having all four paws down.

5. Teach the Patient Greeting (below).

Teaching a Place Stay

6. With the dog on a leash, show the dog the place bed. If the dog gets on the bed on its own, praise or click and treat (C/T) the behavior.

7. Stand next to the place bed. Toss a soft, bite-sized treat onto its surface. As the dog jumps onto the bed, praise or C/T the behavior. Repeat 10 times.

8. Repeat step two, adding a command such as "place" or "bed" to name the behavior. Use a happy, but low-key tone for the command; the dog should not perceive the place bed as a punishment. Repeat 10 times.

9. Test the dog's understanding of the command you want to use. Without tossing the treat, give the command. If the dog jumps onto the bed, praise or C/T. If the dog does not obey the command, then say nothing and repeat step three. Alternate between steps three and fou until the dog understands the command.

10. Incrementally increase the distance the dog is expected to go, until you reach the end of the leash. When the dog responds immediately to every command, remove the leash.

11. Incrementally increase the time the dog is expected to remain on the bed. Never leave the dog in place for more than 30 minutes without releasing it from its position.

12. Start giving the "place" command from various places in the house. "Proof" the behavior by leaving the room periodically until the dog consistently remains in place.

13. Begin sending the dog to its "place" when people come to the door. Enlist a friend or relative to practice the behavior before relying on it entirely.

Teach the Patient Greeting

14. Place a container of treats near the door, located where the dog cannot reach them.

15. With the dog on a leash, have it sit to one side of the door. When the dog is calm and relaxed, praise or C/T.

16. With the dog sitting on-leash at your side, have a friend or relative to knock on the door. Praise or C/T quiet behavior. Repeat as needed until the dog remains quiet when the assistant knocks.

17. Give the assistant soft, bite-sized dog treats. Repeat step three, opening the door at the knock. Praise or C/T quiet behavior. When the dog is calm and before the assistant enters the room, he or she should give the dog a treat. Repeat this step as needed until the dog keeps all four paws on the floor when the door is opened.

18. Repeat step four, allowing the assistant to enter the room. The assistant should give the dog a treat immediately upon entering the room. Praise and C/T the dog for having all four paws on the floor. Repeat as needed until the dog remains calm when the person enters the room.

19. Increase the dog's distance from the door and the duration of the calm greeting period over time.

Tips & Warnings

• Training takes time. According to DogTrainingHQ.com, the training session should last only 15 minutes and focus on a single behavior. Keep arrivals low-key and pleasant. Never allow the dog to dictate when it will be greeted and never greet the dog until all four paws are on the floor. Gates are useful tools; however, they only buy the owner more time for training. Set the dog up for success by training a place stay or the Patient Greeting. Several dogs in the same household can be trained to use the place bed at the same time, provided the bed is large enough. Crates and place beds should be pleasant places for "quiet time." The dog should be allowed toys or other items for comfort, as long as it does not move from its surface. A "place" stay is not a "position" stay. Allow your dog to change position as long as it does not leave its place.
• Always be aware of a dog's warning signs to avoid escapes or bites. Narrowed eyes, tight lips and the dog's tongue flicking out to lick its nose are signs of stress. If the dog becomes stressed, allow it to relax before continuing training.

References

• Jumping Dog Solutions Case Study
• Dog Training Tips

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