How to Teach Your Dog Not to Jump

Sure, it's cute when a puppy jumps up on you - a demonstration of her affection - but it's important to break this habit early on. It's not so cute when a 90-pound dog tackles you (or your visitors) just to say hello. Here's how to stop the jumping on people and furniture.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog Bones
• Dog Toys
• Dog Training Aids
• Dog Treats

Stop Your Dog From Jumping on Furniture

1. Take your pup off the furniture and say "Off!" Teach your puppy early on that you do not favor her sitting on the furniture.

2. Be consistent. It's important that you don't allow your dog to jump up on furniture one day and then punish her the next time she jumps on the couch.

3. Try not to leave food on the countertops and tables. These are temptations that a dog in training cannot resist.

4. Limit your pup's roaming area to places that don't have furniture with nesting qualities if your dog jumps on furniture while you're gone.

5. Consult a pet behaviorist if the behavior persists.

Stop Your Pet From Jumping on People

6. Be consistent with puppies and dogs; it's counterproductive to discourage your dog from jumping on others, while allowing her to jump on you and lick your face.

7. Turn all the way around when you first walk in the door and your dog leaps up on you.

8. Wait until your dog stops jumping, and say "Good!" the moment she does.

9. Command your pup to sit if she knows the command, and don't touch her until she does. Again, be consistent.

10. Tell your dog to find her toy if she doesn't know "sit." This redirects your pup's energy from jumping on you to finding her toy.

11. Practice "no jump" with friends once your dog learns not to pounce on you. Have friends give treats and praise when your dog succeeds.

12. Anticipate potential jumping situations, and tell your dog to sit or redirect her attention to something else.

13. Praise your dog when she doesn't jump, especially during situations that might give her reasonable cause.

[shari1965]

on 5/13/2009 My dog is a wolf/shepard mix who knows the off and no command but if someone walks in my door before I can get to him he will jump all over the person and no matter what command he does know if he doesnt see me he does what he pleases

[maryanne09]

on 5/2/2009 Great article on How to Teach Your Dog Not to Jump! 5*'s recommend :o)

[missmarie16]

on 12/19/2008 i have a red nose pit puppy and he's so hyper! i've tried holding him, holding his paws, telling him to "sit" and nothing has worked! i don't want to be too forceful with him though. a little tap on the butt doesn't even work. what else can i do?

[charlie313]

on 6/7/2008 I have an english bulldog that i got at 4 months. He jumps all the time. I've tried using my hands but he thinks it's a game. I try to be forcefull with my tone. He just doesnt get it. I've tried alot of other approaches but nothing has worked.

on 8/8/2006 When a dog jumps on you, gently squeeze both of the ears as you push the dog down to the ground- if that doesn't work, then try spraying the front chest area with perfume or a heavily scented hair spray. The dog will not only get down, but Bowser will also smell better when you decide to pet and praise!