Training Dog not to Jump

Dogs will do what works, so if you reward your dog constantly for sitting, there is a good chance he will also provide the same behavior when greeting visitors. When his sitting for visitors is rewarded he will most likely choose this response next time. Although affection, fun, play and exuberance are all part of a healthy and well adjusted dogs life with humans, it is important that these things not be connected to arrivals or departures. Practice calm comings and goings and insist that other family members do so too. While teaching the correct behavior it is important that your dog not be able to practice the old undesired behavior as much as possible. When family or visitors enter the house and begin exhibiting affection and excitement this only causes the dog to become more excited and likely to jump. Using a leash when there are visitors in the house is another very good way of controlling your dogs desire to jump. Simply put your foot on the leash so that he can not jump. Every time your dog jumps on someone you are allowing that behavior to become reinforced. If you want him to learn the new behavior you must provide both training for the new and behavior control for the old. Keep the leash handy at all times and put your dog on it before visitors arrive. Just be careful to not make receiving visitors into a negative experience, as this will be detrimental also to your dog's ability to respond appropriately around other people. While out always remember to keep your foot on your dog's leash if you stop to talk with someone or when in a store. The less opportunities your dog has to reinforce jumping the sooner he will learn that it is more rewarding not to jump.

One exercise you can do with your dog and a guest is have the guest leave and then re-enter the room. Then command your dog to Sit and if he obeys on the first command, click and treat. But if not, ask your guest to leave again. When the guest comes back in try giving the Sit command again etc… This way your dog learns that if he wants to be with visitors he has to sit. If you are not yet sure that your dog has fully master the Sit command you should verify this before expecting him to perform in front of a stranger. If your dog can repeat the Sit command ten times without needing a click and treat, then he is ready to learn this behavior in situations with distractions. Of course you must praise your dog anytime he responds correctly to a command. If your dog fails the ten out of ten test then you simply need to train him more before trying again with distractions. Self-control exercise