Introduction
We’ve all experienced the enthusiastic greeting of a jumping dog. Their paws on your clothes, their face inches from yours – some dogs just can’t seem to contain their excitement when people arrive. While it may seem cute at first, a large, rambunctious dog that jumps can be quite dangerous, especially for children and the elderly. Jumping risks knocking people over and even causing injuries. According to the CDC, over 86,000 fall injuries are caused by dogs every year, often from jumping up. So while it’s understandably a natural behavior for dogs, it’s wise for owners to curb jumping for everyone’s wellbeing.
Why Dogs Jump
Dogs jump for a variety of reasons, but three of the most common include excitement, attention seeking, and lack of training.
Many dogs jump when they get excited, such as when their owner comes home. The jumping is their way of saying hello and expressing their excitement at your return. Dogs are very social animals and jumping up allows them to greet people face-to-face (Source).
Dogs also jump to get attention. Since jumping usually guarantees a response from people, dogs learn that it works to get them the attention they crave. Even if the response is negative, it’s still attention from their perspective. Dogs naturally want to interact with us and jumping gets them that interaction.
Finally, lack of training is a major reason why dogs jump. Puppies may not be taught not to jump as they grow. And even trained older dogs can revert to jumping if the behavior is not consistently corrected. Dogs want to greet and play with us at eye-level when excited, so without training they default to their natural playful behavior of jumping up (Source).
Is Jumping Always Bad?
Jumping up can be an adorable behavior when done by small dogs that can barely reach your knees. Some owners find this harmless and don’t mind their small dogs enthusiastically greeting them in this way. However, jumping up can cause problems.
Jumping up on people can potentially cause injuries, especially with larger dogs. Even a medium or small dog can knock over small children when jumping on them. Additionally, dogs that jump up can unintentionally scratch people with their paws or accidentally bump them. This behavior can understandably startle or upset visitors unfamiliar with your pet. Persistent jumping can also lead to dirt and mud being transferred onto clothing.
While occasional jumping may seem harmless, repeatedly engaging in this behavior can reinforce it and make training more challenging. It’s generally best to discourage jumping up through training, regardless of your dog’s size.
Training Tips to Stop Jumping
One of the most effective training techniques to stop dogs from jumping is to turn and ignore them when they jump up. This teaches the dog that they will not get attention by jumping. As soon as your dog’s feet are back on the floor, you can reward them with praise and treats. Just make sure not to reward them while they are jumping.
Using treats is a great way to reinforce good behavior like sitting politely to greet people instead of jumping. Keep treats with you when greeting visitors. Ask your dog to sit before visitors approach. When they sit calmly, give them a treat right away. This connects good behavior like sitting with getting a reward. With consistency, your dog will learn to sit instead of jumping for attention.
Teaching your dog the ‘off’ command is very useful for stopping jumping. Start by putting a treat in your hand and holding it above your dog’s nose. Say ‘off’ and move your hand slightly towards their nose so they lick it. As soon as their feet leave the floor, pull your hand away and wait for all four paws to be on the ground before giving the treat. Repeat this until your dog understands the ‘off’ command.
Sources:
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-stop-your-dog-jumping
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-stop-your-dog-from-jumping-up-on-people/
Other Helpful Training
In addition to training your dog not to jump, there are other helpful areas of training that can address the underlying causes of jumping and help redirect your dog’s energy in more positive ways.
One major area is impulse control training. This involves teaching your dog to control their impulses and wait for your cue before acting. Some impulse control exercises include:
- Making your dog sit and wait before meals, going outside, getting petted, etc.
- Having your dog stay while you walk away or throw a toy, only releasing on your cue.
- “Leave it” training where you have treats/objects around and your dog must ignore them.
Mastering impulse control allows your dog to think before acting instead of jumping without warning. It taps into their mental energy instead of only physical.
You can also help redirect your dog’s energy into more constructive outlets. Ideas include:
- Increasing physical exercise through walks, runs, or dog sports like agility.
- Doing training sessions focused on commands, tricks, or tasks which make them focus.
- Giving them puzzle toys or chews that provide mental stimulation.
Meeting your dog’s needs for activity through appropriate channels means they’ll have less pent up energy that results in jumping on people.
When to Get Professional Help
Jumping can sometimes lead to injury, either to you, your family, or your dog. If anyone gets injured from your dog’s jumping, it’s important to seek help from a professional dog trainer or behaviorist. Injuries, especially with children, indicate the jumping has become a serious issue that requires professional intervention (Source: https://dearpet.in/blogs/dear-pet/5-signs-you-need-to-hire-a-dog-trainer).
Additionally, if you’ve tried the training tips mentioned in this article but your dog still frequently jumps on people, a professional dog trainer can help. Persistent jumping despite training attempts suggests your dog may need more customized training. A trainer can identify why the dog jumps so much and design an effective training plan (Source: https://www.naturalfarmpet.com/blogs/all/7-signs-that-it-s-time-to-hire-a-dog-trainer). Don’t wait to get professional help if jumping continues after you have tried training on your own.
Preventing Jumping Triggers
One of the best ways to prevent your dog from jumping is to avoid or minimize the triggers that cause them to jump in the first place. Some common jumping triggers include:
Arriving home – Many dogs will jump in excitement when their owner first walks in the door. Stay calm, avoid eye contact, and don’t give any attention until your dog has calmed down and has all four paws on the floor. Only then, praise and pet them.
https://zoomroom.com/admin/stop-dog-jumping/
Greeting people – Ask guests to ignore your dog until they are calm and sitting. You can also keep your dog on a leash to maintain control. Provide a toy for them to hold to discourage jumping up.
https://www.tailsofconnection.com/trendingblog/management-the-fastest-way-to-train-your-dog-to-stop-jumping
On walks – Crossing paths with people, dogs or other animals can trigger excited jumping. Keep your dog focused on you with treats, work on heel training, and create distance from triggers if needed. If they do jump, stand still and ignore them until the leash is loose again.
https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-stop-your-dog-jumping
Jumping Causes and Solutions by Age
Puppies often jump out of excitement and lack of training. Puppies have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, so jumping up is a common behavior as they try to play and interact. Consistent positive training is key to curb jumping from an early age. Reward calm behaviors and provide plenty of appropriate outlets for play and exercise (AKC).
During adolescence around 6-18 months, dogs have bursts of energy and require sufficient physical and mental exercise. Be sure to meet exercise needs with walks, play time, and enrichment activities. Ongoing training reinforces wanted behaviors. Providing enough activity can reduce excessive jumping from restlessness (AKC).
In adult dogs, attention seeking is a common reason for jumping up. Refrain from giving attention when they jump. Consistency is important, so every family member should follow the same approach. Reward and praise your dog when they have all four paws on the floor. Advanced training can help solidify rules against jumping up (K9 Performance Blog).
Jumping Causes and Solutions by Size
A dog’s size and build play a big role in their tendency to jump up. Smaller dogs often get away with jumping more than larger dogs.
For small dogs under 15 pounds, like Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers, jumping up is often seen as cute and harmless behavior. However, jumping can still become excessive, and small dogs benefit from training just like larger breeds. Use positive reinforcement to reward four-paw sits, as opposed to jumping. Consistency is key – ask guests to ignore jumping and reward sitting (A-Z Animals).
Larger dogs over 50 pounds, like Great Danes and Mastiffs, require intensive training due to their size and strength. Jumping from even young puppyhood can lead to accidental injuries for people if left unchecked. Focus impulse control and obedience work on “off” cues to keep big dogs’ paws on the floor (Affordable Agility). Set rules for no jumping on people from the start.
Conclusion
Your pup’s jumping needs patience and persistence to overcome. Keep working on training tips like turning away, staying calm, and rewarding four-on-the-floor behaviors. Remain consistent so your dog understands the rules. Although jumping is a natural canine behavior, with dedication and practice the habit can be broken. Focus training during trigger moments when your dog is likely to jump. And don’t lose hope! With time and effort, your dog can learn better manners.
Training is a journey, but you and your dog will succeed together. Keep rewards like treats handy to encourage good behavior. Pay attention to what motivates your dog – praise, pets, play. With the right motivation and methods, your dog will soon stop the jumping for good. Always make training positive and rewarding. Your furry friend wants to bond with you in better ways.
Stay committed to daily training, and reinforce calm greetings. Your dog will soon realize jumping gets no reward. Patience and persistence will lead to a well-mannered companion who greets you with all four paws on the floor. Enjoy a smoother, calmer relationship as you overcome this hurdle together.