Most dogs tend to jump on people at times, although this varies from one breed to another and one dog to another. It has been suggested that dogs are attempting to get closer to a person’s face to interact rather than attack when they jump. The faces of dogs of the same breed are on a level and the dog uses its eyes and nose to explore the other.
If you give them less need to reach by kneeling down and interacting with the dog at its own level, this is one way to deal with jumping. Keep an eye out of over assertiveness but let the dog explore your face safely. It is rare that a dog will bite its owner, particularly once it recognizes them as the pack leader.
You will need to take greater precautions if your dog is an older dog acquired from a shelter. Keep a thumb inserted under the dog’s collar behind its neck and be prepared to jerk sideways if the dog shows aggression. Jerking sideways is preferable to pulling sharply backwards as dogs throats are easily bruised even though their necks are strong. Remember that the movement is not to punish the dog but to inform it and to protect the owner.
It is also possible to discourage jumping by off leash training. Wear a pair of protective pants and begin the exercise with the dog standing and then start training it to sit as this is a good way of limiting the amount of jumping the dog does.
When you see your dog’s body tense as if to jump then order them to sit. If they ignore the command and jump then lift your leg and bump the dog’s chest with your knee or thigh. When you do this put your palm near the dog’s face and say ‘off’, rather than down which is a separate command.
The idea is to discourage a repeat jump by putting the dog off its balance by raising your knee, and obscure its vision with a hand in front of its face, rather than slamming the dog in the chest or pushing a hand in its face.
When a dog is particularly stubborn then it may be worth working with a partner and using the leash to train your dog. When the dog starts to jump your partner should jerk to the side as you issue the command ‘off.’ You should always issue the commands as you want the dog to obey you.
It is possible to use leash training without the aid of a partner. Wrap a long leash around a post or tree, however the jerk will tend to be backwards rather than to the side. You should also use positive reinforcement techniques through the use of a treat or toy. Hold the treat or toy just behind the dog’s head, this will distract it and put it off balance, encouraging it to sit rather than jump.
With the off command, as with any other training, repetition and consistency are important. If you are firm and patient in time most dogs will suppress their natural inclination to jump unless they receive permission from you.
These are general training techniques you will discover however, that different breeds may need different training techniques.
