Steps to Tame Bad Dog Habits: Jumping

Jumping up is an instinctual habit for dogs. Puppies learn to greet mom by jumping up and licking her face. As dogs grow older, excitement or dominance may prompt this behavior. This tendency, if not corrected, will continue. Take these tips to keep your dog from jumping up.

Don’t Encourage
Some owners unwittingly encourage dogs to jump up. After a long day at work, a pet, thrilled to see its owner, is difficult to resist. However, owners that raise their voices excitedly or slap their legs to encourage the dog to jump up to greet them, do their dogs (and themselves) a disservice. The dog learns that jumping up is appropriate behavior for greeting. Guests may not appreciate dog hugs and licks as much as owners.

Take these steps to tame jumping dogs.

• do not raise your voice to further excite the dog
• do not pat legs, owners and guests should keep hands by their sides
• speak and act calmly—exaggerated sounds or actions such as yelling or waving the dog away only further stimulate the dog
• use the sit and stay command
• kneel to dog level; pat the dog on the side or under the chin and praise in a calm voice.

Another reason older dogs jump is lack of exercise. Make sure to exercise your dog each day to prevent jumping and other bad doggie behavior that arises from boredom. Remember, owners are ultimately responsible for the behavior (good or bad) of their dogs.