Jumping up on people is a troublesome behavior that occurs when a dog is excited. People reinforce this behavior by petting and praising them when the dog is happy to see them. Others scold or push the dog away, which can also reinforce this behavior. Conflicting interactions can prevent your dog from understanding what is expected. Jumping is often tolerated or encouraged in small puppies, but then discouraged once puppies have grown up, causing confusion and frustration.
Manage the environment to prevent jumps by using barriers such as doors or crates. Leashes can be useful management tools to prevent jumping in the first place. A leash should not be used to pull or snatch your dog from someone; instead, use a food lure to lead your dog away from the person. Call your dog and encourage him to come back to you.
When you know a guest is coming, place your dog behind a barrier to avoid any possibility of jumping on them. Giving a food puzzle toy before the guest arrives can encourage your dog to stay behind the fence. This keeps them engaged so they don’t try to jump over the barrier or vocalize out of frustration. If this happens, redirect your dog to their food puzzle toy.
Organize training sessions to strengthen all fours on the ground as an alternative behavior to jumping. You will need:
- easily accessible treats in a treat pouch or treat station near the front door;
- your dog kept on a leash, kept free throughout the session;
- another person to help. Use different people in each training session to help generalize this behavior.
Stage 1
Photo courtesy of Jessica Benoit, RVT, VTS (Behaviour), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
Example of a training session:
Phase 1: Start with your dog on a loose leash and place a treat on the floor while he keeps all four paws on the ground. Do it without the distraction of another person present. Keep the reinforcement rate high by placing a treat on the floor every two to three seconds.
Phase 2: Get help from someone your dog already knows to minimize his excitement. While the helper remains stationary, place a treat on the floor every two to three seconds if the dog is keeping all four feet on the floor.
Stage 2 – Jump
Photo courtesy of Jessica Benoit, RVT, VTS (Behaviour), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
Phase 3: Ask the assistant to move. If this causes your dog to get excited, move away from the helper or ask them to move less until your dog can keep all four paws on the floor. As you make it harder for your dog, the rate of reinforcement should stay high.
Phase 4: If your dog is successful, ask the helper to become more animated. This might involve taking off their shoes and coat. Continue placing a treat on the floor every two to three seconds when your dog is keeping all fours on the ground.
Phase 5: Ask the assistant to approach slowly. This can be difficult if your dog likes to interact with people. Increase your reinforcement rate every one to two seconds.
Stage 5: Jump
Photo courtesy of Jessica Benoit, RVT, VTS (Behaviour), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
Phase 6: If you’re worried about your dog jumping or if he’s too excited and jumping, place a treat near his nose and lead him away from the helper. At the next repetition, decrease the level of distraction.
When a guest arrives unannounced, grab a handful of treats from the treat station and scatter them on the floor. This encourages your dog to keep all fours on the floor when eating. Determine whether they should stay close to the customer or go behind the barrier.
This exercise can be used to greet people on walks or in new surroundings. Your dog learns that people approaching or entering the house are a sign of food on the floor. This creates a positive association with meeting new people and appropriate interaction while encouraging four-legged behavior on the floor.