Why Do Dogs Jump Up

Jumping up on people may seem cute when a puppy does it, but it can become a hazardous behaviour as the puppy grows bigger.  This is especially hazardous for children and the elderly.

Here is some information to help you overcome the problem of dogs that have a tendency to jump up on people.

Why Do Dogs Jump Up?

• It is a way of expressing their dominance
• They are being playful
• They are excited
• Puppies naturally jump on the pack leader in the wild and lick their mouths, as this triggers the pack leader to regurgitate food for them

How To Prevent Dogs From Jumping Up

• If you don’t fancy yourself regurgitating food for your puppy, here are some tips on how to stop your dog from jumping up:
• Ignore the dog until it stops jumping up; this includes making any eye contact or giving verbal commands
• Keep a toy by the front door so as you come in you can toss the toy to redirect your dog’s energy
• Keep a short lead attached to the dog’s collar and give it a quick pull to indicate what you want without any eye contact
• Hold your dog up by their front paws until they feel uncomfortable and then let them down (this will create a negative stimulus for the dog which it will associate with jumping up)
• Do not move out of the way when your dog jumps on you, as the more space you give to the dog the more it will feel like the alpha; instead, step into a dog that is trying to jump on you
• Raise your knee as your dog begins to jump so you continue to keep your space; allow the dog to bounce of your knee and not your body (be sure not to hurt your dog as that is not the intent of this method)

These are all great methods for preventing a dog from jumping up on you.  Choose one or two that appeals to you and give them a try.  The important thing to remember is to be consistent.  If you let your dog jump up on you sometimes, and prevent it at other times, you are giving the dog mixed signals and he will continue to jump on you since he is getting the attention he wants.