Teach Fido not to jump on visitors!

From the perspective of most dogs, the reward they receive for jumping up is attention from their human. This attention need not be praise -- indeed, even if you say "down", "stop", or "no" to your dog, and they may still interpret this as a reward. If they were being ignored before they jumped up, and jumping makes you talk to them, they will jump up to get your attention, even if you're a bit cranky when you respond to them.

There are two steps to teaching a dog polite greeting behaviours.

1. Step one: when a dog jumps up on you, turn your body/step away so that they fall to the ground. Do not say anything. Pretend that they don't exist! Your dog is trying to get your attention by jumping. The quickest way to reduce jumping behaviour is to teach your dog that the consequence of jumping up, is that they are ignored. 

2. Then, we need to teach our dog what to do instead of jumping. For most dogs, a polite "sit" is a great position to meet new people. Using a baby gate or leash to hold your dog back from the new person can help them learn more quickly. As they see the person, ask your dog to sit. If they sit, the person can approach. If they jump up, the person will move away. Your dog will quickly learn that in order to meet the new person, they need to keep their bottom sitting on the ground!

What NOT to do to change the behaviour:

• Pushing your dog away: This will not work. Some dogs will even think it’s a game! You are also giving your dog valuable attention by touching them.
• ​Telling your dog ‘no’ or ‘ah ah’ or ‘stop’: You are still giving your dog the attention they crave! You are most likely looking at them, and you are definitely speaking to them.
• ​Do not use any form of physical punishment. This will only serve to teach your dog you are willing to hurt them and lead to your dog being fearful and anxious around you and other people. 

What TO DO to change the behaviour:

• Ignore the jumping: Twist your body so that the dog slides off. Wait for a few seconds and reward your dog for ‘4 paws on the floor’.
• Teach and cue an incompatible behaviour such as sit before the jump. Keep your dog’s attention with a toy or treats before they jump up. Once they have settled, cue a sit or down and reward them with attention.
• Teach your dog to greet people calmly with the following steps:
  • Start with your dog or puppy on lead. Ask for a sit, click and reward if your dog stays in position while a person approaches. Repeat 5 – 6 times in a row. Practice this everywhere you can. The person approaching does not even need to acknowledge the dog at this stage.
  • Soon your dog or puppy will learn that it is more rewarding to stay calm, and choose to sit on its own accord.