Jump! For Your Love

"My puppy jumps on me and everyone she meets!"  This is probably the number one puppy problem that people call me about.  I sympathize with dog owners who have paw prints all over their clothes, especially with red dirt and rain being so prevalent in Hawaii!

WHY DO THEY JUMP?

While it's true that some dogs will jump as a status-seeking gesture, most dogs and puppies jump on people simply out of excitement, e.g. upon reuniting after a period of separation, and because they don't understand that it's not acceptable to us humans.  It's common for puppies to jump up on adult dogs and lick their muzzles as a submissive gesture.  Biologically, puppy-licking is a request by a very young puppy that encourages the adult dog to regurgitate food for the puppy to eat. (Canine Body Language p.97 by Brenda Aloff)  We humans are so much taller than the pups are, and my feeling is that the pups jump up to get closer to our faces.

TIPS TO STOP JUMPING

* Don't reinforce the jumping behavior by giving your dog attention when he jumps.  Attention includes physical touch, eye contact and verbal communication.  Give your dog attention if he doesn't jump on you, or once he gets back on all four paws.  We often inadvertently reinforce our puppy's jumping by petting them when they jump up, but this only gives mixed messages to the puppy.

* If it's not enough to simply withdraw your attention from your pup, then give him an added consequence. Immediately mark the wrong behavior with a word like "Uh Uh!" or "Oops!" and turn away or walk away from your pup.  Praise or reward your pup with attention once he stops jumping.

* Teach your dog an incompatible behavior such as a Sit every time she greets somebody.  It's physically impossible to Sit and Jump at the same time.

* Identify your puppy's triggers for jumping and set your puppy up for success.  For example, if eye contact sets your puppy off into a jumping frenzy, don't look at him when he's excited.  Or if holding treats in your hand makes him jump, then leave the treats on the table and throw them onto the ground instead of feeding from your hand.

* Make your departures and returns as uneventful as possible.  Walk in quietly, don't speak in a high-pitched excited tone, etc.

* If you're coming through a door or gate, wait until your puppy has stopped jumping and then go through.  If puppy starts to get over-excited and jump again as soon as you crack open the door, close the door again and start over.  This technique is called the Evil Door, and it shows your dog what the consequences of jumping are (door closes, dog doesn't get to see you) without using harsh punishments or making you the bad guy.

* Mark and reward the right behavior (e.g. "Good girl!" followed by a treat) - a Sit, for example, or four paws on the ground.  Dogs don't do well if they are only told what NOT to do.  Instead, we should also teach them what TO DO and reward that behavior.  Behaviors that are rewarded will happen more often.

* Make sure your dog doesn't chain the behaviors: jump, get down, get rewarded.

* Ask everybody that meets your dog to follow the same rules.  This means that you may have to explain these techniques to house guests prior to their visits. 

* If your dog has a long history of jumping and does not respond to the above techniques, or if you have 2 puppies who jump on you from all sides, you may have to use food.  Have a couple of yummy treats in your hands at the dogs' nose level, and release them as you walk past the dogs.  If you do this consistently, the dogs will get in the habit of staying on the ground instead of jumping on you.

* You can also keep your dog on a leash when house guests arrive, so that you have control over your puppy.  Teach your dog to sit calmly next to you and give you eye contact before you give her permission to greet your guest.  Once you release your dog, the leash should be loose.  If your dog then proceeds to jump on the guest, say "Uh Uh!" and walk the other way with your dog.  Try again.  You can use this technique in conjunction with the previous food technique if you need.  Have your guest offer a treat at your dog's nose level, or you can feed your dog while your guest approaches and pets your dog.

WHAT NOT TO DO

* Kneeing your dog in the chest - This (and other forms of physical correction) may work for some dogs, but I do not recommend it.  Not only is it unpleasant for both human and dog, but it could cause injury, or may encourage your puppy to try harder.  Scientific studies show that dogs (and humans) get accustomed to physical punishments and will start tuning them out unless the punishment gets harsher and harsher.  Who in their right mind wants to be harsh towards their puppy?

* Scolding or telling your dog to stop - Again, this may work on some sensitive dogs who can sense your displeasure.  But with many exuberant puppies, being scolded is not enough of a consequence for them to stop jumping.  Also, any kind of attention (even negative attention like yelling) can be rewarding to a puppy who is craving attention.

SUMMARY

It is a lot more effective to show your puppy:

* The consequences of jumping (he loses your attention)
* What to do instead - reward him for four paws on the ground
* Consistency - insist that all your friends and family follow the same rules.