The bump and sit Method.
So how do I get my dog to stop jumping on people. Let’s make a couple of basic assumptions. Number one the dog we are talking about is actually a puppy six months old or younger. The second assumption is that the puppy knows the sit command.
The sit command taught correctly is a core behavior.
How to teach the sit commands so that it becomes a “core” behavior
Look for the soon to come post on “teaching the sit as a core behavior”.
We will depend on that behavior as a part of teaching the dog not to jump on people.
How to train your dog to stop jumping on you and other people is a common problem with most new handlers.
What is the dogs motivation to jump on you and others.?
There are basically five main different attitudes of the dog, in approaching you or someone else. Each one of these responses is handled differently They are.
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Basic over exuberance.
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Over excitement urination
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Submissive urination
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Fear response
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True aggression response
Basic over exuberance
The dog approaches quickly. Tail wagging very expeditiously and so hard that the tail wags the dog. Their head down slightly, the eyes wide open and very excited, the rear end of the dog elevated slightly above his head and shoulders. Then with gay abandon they launch themselves at you with the paws ready to pounce and a tongue that is in fast lick mode. In the vast majority of cases the reason the dog jumps on you is that they want attention from you or others. I do not mind giving the puppy attention it is the way they are getting the attention that we have a problem with. Any time that we wish to modify the behavior of the puppy or dog it is our job to put the situation in front of the dog, so that, the dog can clearly see where their advantage lies. So, in our task in discouraging and eliminating jumping up on us we have to make the acts of jumping up on us uncomfortable. This is where we apply a negative reinforcement. As the dog makes contact with you or just a bit before he makes contact. Bump the puppy with the heels of your hand you should make contact with the puppy in the heavily muscled chest and shoulder area. Now I did say bump I am not saying push. Dogs like pushing it is a game to them. Your goal here is to make the dog mildly uncomfortable. As you bump the puppy make a guttural sounding no or Bah with your voice. It should start mid-range and go down in tone.
Two heartbeats later say the positive command sit
Then with the voice starting at mid-range and going up in a very positive sounding tone. Give the positive command sit.When they complete the sit, calmly praise them verbally and touch them physically. You now have your first repetition of making the act of jumping on you uncomfortable and the act of sitting in front of you comfortable.
We know that if there is anything that a dog is quick to learn
it is what is to their advantage. Therefore it is the handler’s responsibility to put the situation, in front of the dog, so that, the dog can clearly see where his advantage lies. As long as your dog sees advantage in jumping on you they will continue to do so. When they no longer see that jumping on you is to their advantage but coming up to you and sitting is, that’s what they are going to do. Then they will get the praise and attention that they wanted in the first place. And you will have paw print free clothes.
what it your dog is older? Will the hand method work?
He is a larger dog, as was not taught any manners.
That is a very good question about older, untrained dogs jumping on people. As I stated in this short article, “this is a cursory look at an actually complicated situation”. The short answer is “yes” the hand method, along with additional techniques will work! As with any behavior problem it is not just “one” thing but a combination of behaviors that make up this problem. So, a comprehensive approach is recommended. To truly control this situation I would not only use a singular tactic for the jumping but also add a basic obedience program for the general happiness and control of the dog.