How To Stop Dogs From Jumping? 

How To Stop Dogs From Jumping? 

Dogs jump to get your attention, and it is extremely difficult not to love on them with their sweet faces, especially when they’re so little. 

However, it is important to curb this behavior early on. It is cute when a puppy wants to jump up, but it can be very dangerous when a full-grown dog jumps on children. Some pups, especially mini doodles, are committed to jumping to get your attention, so you must persistently stop this behavior. 

Identify The Causes of Jumping

Dog jumping is a common behavior that many dog parents encounter. To effectively address this, the first step is to identify the cause of your pup’s behavior. Here are some steps you can take: 

Consider The Age and Breed

Your pup’s age and breed can greatly affect their behavior. For example, puppies may jump out of excitement or when they want to get your attention to play with them. On the other hand, adult dogs may jump on you due to anxiety or dominance issues. There are also some breeds that are more playful than others to show their affection. 

Observe Your Dog’s Behavior

Spend some time observing your dog’s behavior in different situations and places. Take note of what time of day your dog tends to jump, such as in the morning, when you get home, or when seeing certain people. Identify the context causing the behavior and list possible triggers that you notice. 

Assess The Body Language

Pay attention to your pup’s body language whenever he jumps. Look for signs of fear, excitement, aggression, or stress. Try to identify the possible causes of the changes in your dog’s behavior that may provide valuable insights. Take note of these body language changes so you can identify which type of emotions cause your pup to jump. 

Evaluate Socialization and Training History

Some pups who are unable to socialize or haven’t received any training may often exhibit jumping behavior. This can be caused by reasons such as not knowing how to behave when getting excited, which they could have been more able to manage if they had received proper obedience training. 

Analyze Your Environment 

In addition to checking your pup’s behavior, double-check your home environment and how your pup fits in it. Identify how he spends his days. What are his living conditions and daily routine? Does he encounter other people in a week, or does he do almost nothing daily? Certain environmental factors, like lack of discipline, no mental stimulation, or family members allowing your pup’s jumping behavior, have a huge influence on his long-term behavior. 

Check For Possible Medical Issues

Excessive jumping in dogs can sometimes be a sign of underlying pain or discomfort. If your pup suddenly develops persistent jumping behavior that may be accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargicness, reluctance to move, or changes in appetite, it would be best to schedule a visit to the vet as soon as possible. 

Essential Tools For Addressing Dog Jumping Behavior

Gate for Doorways and Stairs 

Have a gate that serves as a physical barrier to prevent your dog from having access to areas where he might jump or hurt himself or others. You can easily install these in stairways and doorways to create a safe boundary, especially if your pup gets overly excited when guests arrive and tend to jump on them. Put your pup behind the gate when guests arrive until he has calmed down and behaved. 

Playpens

Propping up a playpen is a great way to keep your dog confined in a safe place. If you don’t have a spare room where you can keep your dog, you can put him inside his playpen whenever you notice that he might want to jump. Additionally, when your pup has been jumping, you can put him in his pen to discipline him until he is calm. 

Leash & Harness

When going out, make sure to have a leash or harness so you can easily control your dog and prevent him from jumping on other people. Make sure that the leash and harness you use are right for your dog’s size and weight so that they won’t be too tight that they might hurt him or too loose that they can slip out of it. 

Treats Bag

Since you are training your pup to stop his jumping behavior with positive reinforcement, having treats handy is a great idea. Get a treat bag where you can place your dog’s favorite treats for easy access whenever you need them at home, doing your daily training, or going outdoors. 

Helpful Techniques To Address Dog Jumping

Patience and consistency are crucial if you want to address and end your dog’s jumping behavior. It would take some time before your dog outgrows this behavior, so you should not get frustrated if they still tend to jump at first. Just be diligent and apply these techniques: 

Ignore the Jumping

Whenever your dog jumps on you or others, it is important that you do not pay any attention to your dog, no matter how hard it is to resist those happy jumps. Turn away from your dog and avoid making eye contact until he stops jumping. Ignoring your pup removes the reinforcement for the jumping behavior, such that he will eventually learn that jumping is not the way to get your behavior. 

Divert to a Different Behavior 

When your dog jumps on you, immediately tell them “off” or “down” in a firm voice. Divert his attention to a different behavior, such as offering his paw or sitting. Do this every time he tries to jump so he knows you do not approve of his jumping. When he follows your command, remember to praise and reward your dog. You can also divert your dog’s attention to his favorite toy as long as you shift the focus to a different one. 

Let Your Family & Friends Know

Get your family, friends, and visitors involved in addressing your dog’s jumping behavior by informing them of your plans to stop it. Hence, they should ignore the jumping at all costs and reinforce the desired behavior. It’s essential that everyone in your household is in the loop since your efforts will only be successful if people at home still encourage the behavior. Inconsistency among family members can confuse your dog and undermine the effectiveness of training efforts.

Allow Your Dog to Socialize

If you and your dog rarely go out and meet other people and pets, this can contribute to their being overly excited or anxious when meeting them. Try to expose your dog to various people and situations to help them become more comfortable. Make sure you do this gradually so your pup won’t get overwhelmed, and always bring treats handy to reward them for staying calm during new interactions.

Manage Your Home Environment

Set your dog up for success by starting at home and managing your environment. For example, if you notice that your dog tends to jump whenever guests arrive, keep it in a separate room or set up a baby gate to prevent it from jumping onto people. Once your pup has calmed down, you can let it out and meet your guests, making sure to keep an eye out in case he gets excited and tries to jump again.

Use Positive Reinforcement Training

If your pup behaves well, encourage this behavior further by petting, praising, and rewarding it with treats. Try practicing at home by letting your dog approach you from a short distance first, then gradually increasing the distance. Practice this multiple times a day, and make sure to consistently give praise and rewards. 

Make Use of Leash Training

Ensure your pup wears a collar with a leash attached whenever you let him out of his crate inside the house. If your pup tries to approach you and jump, step on the leash to prevent it from doing so. You can also use leash training when guests arrive at home or in situations where they are likely to jump, like when you are walking outdoors. Keep your dog on a short leash so you can easily control and guide it, then ask him to sit and stay until he has calmed down. Take note that the more you try to push off your pup while he is jumping, the more he will try to jump because he will see it as a game. 

Have Plenty of Exercise

Ensure your dog gets enough physical and mental stimulation by regularly exercising and engaging in interactive play. A tired dog is less likely to have hyperactive behaviors like jumping and chewing things around the house. You don’t have to do difficult exercises, just as long as your pup has an outlet to release his energy. 

Seek Professional Help 

If your pup’s behavior persists even after you try different techniques, consider consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviorist.

Here at Happy Pup Manor, we perform a personal assessment and provide personalized advice and techniques to address your dog’s jumping issues. Our dedicated trainers carefully observe your dog to identify and assess how it behaves, what triggers it to jump, and the best way to address this. 

Want to know more about dog boarding and training? Contact us now so we can get to know your pup and provide the best training program to fit your needs!