How do you discipline a dog for jumping?

During puppyhood, the best way to handle your dog jumping is to never allow them to get away with jumping. If your bouncing puppy is jumping, make sure that you inform everyone around you not to pay attention to the dog unless all four of her feet are firmly planted on the ground. It can be a natural reaction to yell “no” and use your hands or your knees to ward off a jumping dog, but often this just encourages the behavior, as it can be confused with playing. Using a cue like “off” is also useful for dogs of any age, because relating an action with a chosen word makes training any pup a bit easier. Lots of positive reinforcement, such as loving praise or a yummy treat, should reward a puppy who does not jump on your company or one who obeys the “off” cue. The goal of teaching a dog of any age to stop jumping is to keep “four on the floor” if they want anyone to pay attention to them. Teach them to sit. Knowing how to sit when they are told to do so can help a dog with their excitement when company arrives. The best way to react to a jumping dog is usually to ignore them, however, and some are more reactive to being ignored, if so, ask your pup to sit, or take that moment to instruct your guest to ask your dog to sit.

When your dog next jumps up at you, turn your back and completely ignore them. Don’t say anything and try not to make eye contact. Be patient and wait until all four of their paws are back on the ground. As soon as this happens, turn around and reward your dog with positive attention. If your dog gets over-excited when you give them attention, consider using a food reward instead. You will need to turn away every time your dog jumps up. This may feel a little repetitive, but consistency is essential. The more consistent you are, the quicker your dog will learn that jumping up doesn’t work. Instead they will start to realise that they are more successful at getting your attention when all four feet are firmly on the floor. Timing, consistency and perseverance are key when training your dog not to jump up. If your dog is getting frustrated and is still jumping up despite being ignored, then you may need to change your approach. Continue to ignore the jumping up, but instead ask for a more constructive behaviour that your dog knows well, such as a “sit”. Before someone says hello to your dog, try and ask your dog to sit, and ask the person not to give them attention until they do it. When your dog sits, reward them with treats or attention. As visitors arrive, keep your dog in a different room or behind a baby gate. Once the visitors are settled and therefore a bit less exciting for your dog, bring your dog in to the room on the houseline. Use treats to keep your dog focussed on you and ask them to sit as they greet the visitors. As always, make sure that they get rewarded for appropriate behaviour. You can also use treats to encourage your dog to keep all four feet on the floor and divert their attention down instead of leaping up at people.

One could start off by ignoring the behavior, but most likely that won’t work. Another option to try is to use a little squirt bottle or can of air. Any time a dog goes to jump, you would initiate whatever method of correction you plan to utilize. For example, when the dog jumps, you squirt the bottle or ignore the behavior. You want to do this as soon as your dog’s paws leave the ground. If it were me, and I had a jumping dog I’d probably start by teaching them to sit. It’s important to give them something else to do when you tell them not to jump. What I could suggest is a couple leash pops, a light pop of the leash, any time they jump. This, followed by a nice solid sit, will teach a dog that they have choices in life especially after the dog gets rewarded for sitting.