Dog-Jumping

We rescued a dog back in December. We think he's about 1 now.
We had a few rough patches with his separation anxiety and him chewing my DDs toys, but thanks to the help from you guys it's been so much better! We have gotten him used to being crated while we are out. He actually runs in his "house" when he sees me prepping the diaper bag.

Here's my next question.......

How do we train him to not jump on people when they come in the house??

He is big. 70ish pounds. It hurts! He knocks people over!

The only advice I have been given is to turn by back on him when he jumps and that will make him stop.

Didn't work. My whole back is scratched up from him jumping. He jumps at my 2 year old, my grandmother...everyone.

HELP!!!!!

Re: Dog-Jumping

I've had success with a spray bottle with water-----what works for one dog might not work for another! So you may have to try a few different approaches! I got to the point where all I had to do was show the bottle and not even have to spray it. Now I don't have to use it anymore. Be consistent in whatever method you use! good luck!

Re: Dog-Jumping

My puppy is 11 months old and has seperation anxiety.. I would love to hear how you helped your dog overcome it...

Re: Dog-Jumping

I could swear I saw Caeser Milan use the "knee method"

http://amytinklepaugh.hubpages.com/hub/Doggie-No-Jump-Up

Re: Dog-Jumping

Our pit was very much like this. She still does it every once in awhile, but for the most part she's good.

We used to crate her when people would first get there. She was crate trained regularly so it was just another part of it. After everyone got in and settled down, we let her out of the crate and she greeted everyone calmly.

Now our apartment is too small for the crate, but she's still good about it.

Dog-Jumping

What I would do is start by teaching him the word "Off"

"Off" means, get off the couch, get off of me, get all four paws on the ground. Do not confuse him by using "Down" which means lay down with your tummy touching the floor (or bed or whatever you want him to lay on)

Start "OFF" by putting the leash on him, and then while he is standing at full height step on the leash at the point the leash touches the floor, so basically the distance from his collar to the floor with no slack, but not so short that he has to crouch or bow his head. The goal is that when he jumps he self corrects. While standing on the least talk excitedly to him, you don't want to command him to jump (so dont say "up" or pat your chest because that would not be fair to teach him the command up and then punish him for doing it) But do talk excitedly and try to inspire him to jump on you. Use the word "OFF" when he starts the jump. Then if his front feet come off the ground he will have an instant auto correct with the leash. Don't step on the least from several feet away or he will be pulling across and not straight up and he might sweep your foot out. If you are right near him but in a comfortable stance that would be best.

At the same time you are teaching the OFF command you also need to redirect him with a different command he knows. If he knows how to sit, start with that. "Off" then "SIT", then praise. If you want him to listen the first time you give the command then push him into the sit. You always want them to listen the first time. Dogs can count. Usually they will count how many times it takes you until you get serious if you like to repeat yourself. "sit... sit.... sit..... SIT!!!!" Don't do that, you want him to sit the first time you whisper not the last time you shout. They have super good hearing. :o)

Once he has learned "off" and then "sit" turn that sit into a "Sit Stay". Meaning keep your butt on the ground until I tell you to do something else or until I release you by saying say "OK!!" If he goes to jump again, repeat. if he instead keeps all four feet on the ground and just greets the person with a tail wag, praise him for that. As for a sit and then let him get his petting.

All guests need to reward him for keeping his feet on the ground. Tell your guest not to acknowledge him until he is sitting calmly. Only calm dogs get rewarded with a greeting.

If you are motivated, work towards a "Down stay", instead of the sit stay. It has more "weight" in your relationship and shows that your dog respects you as leader. I wouldn't have your guests push your dog into a down or sit, they don't have the same relationship with your dog as you do. They can ask him to sit, but if he doesn't sit right away then you push him into the sit.

So I would set him up to learn the word "off" several times. When someone comes in the door, you want him to immediately sit and stay. They come in, you chat. The dog waits patiently. If you find that he is still going bonkers you can also teach the "go to place command" in addition to this. So when someone comes to the door he needs to go sit or down at a different location in the room. Place is usually a blanket or dog bed. I put my dogs place at the opposite end of the room from the door. It is also a very good command to know because it gets them away from the door and helps them get control of themselves. :O)

Dog-Jumping

Thanks so much for all of the advice!!!

Dog-Jumping

my dog does this also. She's a tall dog and 73 pounds. I have a split level house so when people come over, I gate her off down in the den (4 steps down). she usually waits at the top of those steps and people go over and pet her and say hello. After a few minutes I'll let her back up. she's still excited bu the initial rush of excitement has passed and she tends not to jump