Comments on: How to Teach Your Dog Not to Jump

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!

on 7/10/2006 When the dog jumps on you, grab and hold the front paws. The dog will start trying to get away, but hold on firmly until the dog stops struggling. After many times of having to go through this battle of wills, your dog will eventually stop jumping up on you.

on 12/12/2005 If you are teaching the dog the basic commands, this should be easy. Tell the dog to sit when it tries to jump. If it is getting on the furniture, tell it "no" and "move." I feel "move" to be one of the most valuable commands in many situations, just as heel and sit. Using "move" you can encourage your dog to do whatever it needs to do where you want it done, whether it be lying down or pottying. In my house, the front door opens to a narrow entrance, so the dog can't even jump on you if you tell it to move as you enter.

on 11/22/2005 We took a small coffee can and filled it with a few metal objects, like pennies, bottle caps, or bolts, then shake it when the dog displays the unwanted behaviour. The noise will startle the dog and the dog will usually stop the behaviour.

eventually, you won't even have to shake the can just the sight of the can will be just as effective..

Another tip is a small water gun that works with our dog that does not respond to the noise of the can.

on 1/9/2008 It is NEVER ok to hit your pet, this is considered animal abuse and is not OK under any circumstance. Not only could you physically hurt your dog, you could be seriously hurting them in mental ways as well. They may become afraid of people and worst of all, afraid of you. Do you really want to hurt your pet? If you do, then I reccomend NOT getting one.

on 11/22/2005 If your dogs jumps on you, gently push him off onto the floor and pet him and say "No!"

on 11/22/2005 This is the tip I learned in dog obedience classes sponsored by the SPCA in our area -
Spread your hands wide and place one thumb over the other forming a "U." When the dog jumps, quickly take your hands and push the dog down across his chest, not at his neck. Give a command that you like to use, such as "off" or "no jump". The class trainer encouraged my dog to jump up. She used this method on him each time. After just two tries he wouldn't jump on her again.

on 11/22/2005 Gather together a group of people all sizes and shapes (including kids). The owner holds his dog on a leash. Each person approaches the dog holding a treat in such a way that the dog doesn't know they have it. As the person approaches, and the dog starts to jump, turn the other direction and walk away. The person keeps doing this until the dog quits jumping. The first time the dog doesn't jump the person rewards the dog immediately with the treat. This process is continued with each person. Pretty soon the dog will learn that if it jumps the person will walk away, but if it doesn't jump the person will reward him. The more people you use the more the dog will realize that it is not acceptable to jump on anyone. If you don't have a person to hold the dog, you can use a door knob, or anything you can tie the leash too. If you are not sure if the dog will jump or not, always put the dog on a leash to greet a new person. This will make it clear to the dog, and not confuse it. Good luck.

on 7/5/2007 If your dog is hyperactive or unruly, you need to let her know who is boss. The best way to do this is to spank her whenever she performs the unwanted behavior, and say "No". Remember, if it does not hurt her then she will not learn anything.

on 12/15/2005 When teaching a dog not to do something, my belief is that it is generally best to avoid using any commands at all (whenever
possible). Regardless of the technique you choose for discouraging your dog from jumping, (turning away and ignoring, knee to the chest, stepping on hind paws) simply continue until your dog stops the undesirable behavior, then praise her. In this way
you are praising your pet for doing something good, rather than yelling at her for doing something bad.

Using the down command for discouraging a jumping dog should be avoided at all costs! The down command should be reserved for training your dog to lay down. If it is used to discourage jumping it will only lead to confusion later on in your
training. If you feel you must use a command try using off instead of down. Reinforce the desired behavior by actually teaching the off command in conjunction with the on command. Using a sturdy box or platform call your dog on to the platform, praise, then command off and praise again when she complies. This comes in handy at the veterinarian's office too!

on 11/22/2005 When your dog jumps up on you, gently pull her paws around your sides. Dogs do not like this "confining" position. They will probably yelp and get down immediately.

on 11/22/2005 Fill a spray bottle half with water and half with white vinegar. When the dog starts toward you, spritz a little in the air in her direction. The dog does not like it and will not jump as long as you keep the sprayer pointed in her direction.

on 11/22/2005 My dog was 3 years before I learned this from "Dr. Dog" on the radio in San Diego. When your dog jumps up on you, grab her front paws, walk her backwards, GENTLY push her up against a wall and say "DOWN"! It took three times and she never jumped again.

on 11/22/2005 If your dog is large, take your knee and put it into its chest until he stops jumping. Then give it a treat.