Stopping your dog from jumping on people is a prime example of the importance of understanding how your dog thinks and of teaching Yes.
Jumping on people is classic “bad dog” behavior, but let’s look at it from the dog’s point of view. He just wants attention, right? He wants to let you know how glad he is to see you after a long day. He wants to welcome the guest and make sure she gives him some good petting.
Well, then, make sure he gets attention when he keeps all four paws on the floor—and ignore him when he jumps on you. Start by training “four paws on the floor” using yourself and family members, so that you’ll have a running start when guests come.
When your dog jumps on you, turn your back and ignore him. Stand still, and project a calming energy. When your dog has four paws on the floor, reward him with a treat or a favorite toy and give him the attention he was after all along. Keep this up every time you come home until he automatically stays down and waits for his hug and petting.
Have other members of your household do the same. When there’s more than one of you in the house, you can work as a tag team. The “jumpee” acts aloof and ignores the dog, while the other person redirects the dog’s attention with a toy or treat. Again, once all four paws are on the floor, say “yes” and give your dog the toy or treat.
When house guests come, you may need to train them as much as the dog. People have all sorts of unhelpful reactions when dogs jump on them:
- Yelling “down” or “no” or some such
- Cooing or using baby talk
- Petting the dog while he’s got his front paws on their chest—i.e., rewarding unwanted behavior
Encourage your guests to stand still and ignore the dog while you redirect his attention. If they want to, they can pet your dog once he has four paws on the floor. If they don’t want to—if they’re some of those crazy people who don’t like dogs for some unfathomable reason—then you do it. Give your dog the attention he wants when he is asking for it the way you want him to.
Now, you do have to be consistent with the reward. An incident with my brother reinforced that lesson for me. When my brother arrived for a dinner party, he ignored Sage—which is what he was supposed to do—and started talking to me. But we kept talking while Sage, who was SO happy to see him, waggled and waggled patiently. Eventually she got so desperate that she jumped up on my brother, who screamed “NOOOOO!” This was not exactly “projecting calming energy,” and everyone involved was uncomfortable.
I have since done a better job of acknowledging all paws on the floor. Now Sage stays down and smiles at us, no doubt thinking, “Yeah, I know I am being good. Now just please be good to me!”
