Dogs Jump!
Dogs Jump!
Dogs are bound full of energy when they see us come through the door. They greet us with such enthusiasm and love. Jumping and springing off the floor with excitement that we are finally home. Sometimes it is the best part of our day. Love and affection, wanting to kiss us, letting us know how much they missed us. After all, isn’t that why we got our dog?! That relationship of unconditional love.
Love me, love my dogs. Well it does not always work that way. Sometimes we have guests over to visit. Our guests may even love our dogs. But what happens when our guest is a small child or an elderly parent and that exuberant jumping may just be too much “affection” for them?
Four on the Floor
Teaching your dog what you want instead of jumping
Put It On Cue
Teaching your dog to "Jump" on cue will increase the chance the the behavior will happen because your dog has been heavily reinforced by the cue. Putting it on cue will make jumping less likely to happen in the future without prompting.
Dogs are bound full of energy when they see us come through the door. They greet us with such enthusiasm and love. Jumping and springing off the floor with excitement that we are finally home. Sometimes it is the best part of our day. Love and affection, wanting to kiss us, letting us know how much they missed us. After all, isn’t that why we got our dog?! That relationship of unconditional love.
Love me, love my dogs. Well it does not always work that way. Sometimes we have guests over to visit. Our guests may even love our dogs. But what happens when our guest is a small child or an elderly parent and that exuberant jumping may just be too much “affection” for them?
Four on the Floor
Teaching your dog what you want instead of jumping
- Move away from your dog and click as he moves towards you before he jumps on you. Place the treat on the floor to reinforce your dog for having four on the floor. (Avoid handing the treat to your dog as this may increase his jumping.)
- You can delay the click if you dog is starting to figure out that coming to you calmly and is not jumping. Move to the side or take a backward step if your dog goes to jump on you to get their paws off you.
- Proof your dog not to jump, this is done by doing things that may cause your dog to jump. Keep in mind you want your dog to be successful and not jump. If your dog is becoming too excitable, go back to doing much calmer movements or just standing still.
Put It On Cue
Teaching your dog to "Jump" on cue will increase the chance the the behavior will happen because your dog has been heavily reinforced by the cue. Putting it on cue will make jumping less likely to happen in the future without prompting.
- To encourage your dog to come to you, using a sweeping motion with your arm and tap your chest. Click/Treat (Yes for Verbal Marker) for body contact
- Move to a standing position if you were sitting. Bring in your arms in the sweeping motion and tap your chest. Click and treat when they are making body contact with you while standing on their hind legs.
- Name the behavior only if your dog is successfully making contact with you while standing on their hind legs at least 80% of the time (Hugs, Kisses)
- Say the cue first then the hand signal – Click and Treat
