Jumping on people!!!

[snakepliskin]

Another question I have is that my dog, and she is really still a puppy, jumps on people when they come inside. Is there anything that I can do besides telling her NO and to stay down that would help this situation out.

I think she is getting better at jumping on NEW people, but when me and my girlfriend plays with her we let her jump up on us. Should we refrain from this to better help out with jumping on random people.

Thanks,

Still concerned owner :D

 

[sbartels]

We found early on that instead of just saying no, give the dog something to do. When people would come to the door, we would tell Abby to "sit" and "stay" and she would have to sit and stay or she wouldn't get any attention. It stuck with her and now when people come to the door, she runs to her spot and sits, wiggling her little body the whole time trying so hard to stay, but it works. Then we just tell people to pet her and say hello, but only as long as she is still sitting. It takes a lot of time and training, but eventually will work.

When you and your girlfriend come home, do you let her jump on you? Or just when you are playing? When you return home, make her act like you want her to act around strangers.

Good luck! It's a hard thing to overcome!

 

[Dodgn_AK]

Also consider using a different word other than "no" or "down" as you probably use these words as commands for 'stop what you are doing/chewing on/ etc' and 'lay down'. I use "off" when Tyson jumps. It is also a good idea not to let her jump on you and teach her to sit when company comes to teh door.

 

[LauraJean623]

I suggest reading "The Dog Listener" by Jan Fennell. She actually recommends ignoring the dog in that situation. There's a lot more to it than just that, but it is a good book. We are putting to practice her suggestions and so far so good. She says that by saying "no" or "down" you are acknowledging the dog and treating it as the alpha, even though you think you are doing the opposite. Check the book out, it will explain much better. Good luck!

 

[fdknuckles]

Raise your Knee

I was told by a dog trainer the other day that if when the dog jumps up on you, you slowly raise your knee it will push the dog off balance. Thus the dog will accosiate(sp) jumping up on people with falling over. So far it's worked well on Jo, but you have to be consistant. Good luck to you,
Jo Boxers Dad.

 

[Matt S]

Originally posted by snakepliskin
but when me and my girlfriend plays with her we let her jump up on us. Should we refrain from this to better help out with jumping on random people.

Yep, you should stop allowing her to jump on you if you don't want her to jump on random people.
Imagine how confusing these mixed signals are to your puppy, one moment she's allowed to jump on people & the next she's not.

Check this link out to the Boxerworld Puppy page which, has heaps of useful information about teaching your puppy not to jump.

http://www.boxerworld.com/puppy/jumping/

from the BW Puppy page (Link above)
These are NOT acceptable things to do to your Boxer if he jumps up:

*Raise your knee as he jumps (you may harm your dog and your knee).
*Stand on his back paws (ouch! He will be clueless as to why you did this).
*Bop him hard on his nose with your fist (some people actually do this - sad but true. It the equivalent of walking up to greet a friend and then punching them).

These are acceptable ways of teaching your dog not to jump:

*Do not get your dog excited when you return home.
*Teach an alternative behaviour to jumping consistently with a lot of positive reinforcement.
*Practice the alternative behaviour frequently.
*Ignore the unwanted behaviour in a very calm manner.

 

[Corky's Mom]

I found this and the down command to be the hardest for Xena to master. She is finally starting to calm down and not jump, but it is hard for her (you can just see her trying to be good with everything she has). I ignored the behavior by turning my back, but with company that is hard to do. Good luck.

 

[Boxerhund]

My boy doesn't jump on me. (lucky me )
BUT he used to jump on certain kinds of visitors.
1. the panicking type who don't ignore him but raise their arms in panic...sure way to get him to jump
2. the active young type who thinks it's fun to have him jump up by patting their chest (mostly strong young men who can take 80 pounds of dog)

Found a way to solve this kind of jumping problem, by teaching him that raising my arms and patting my chest is actually a sit-command. :D
It's easiest to teach with 2 people and doggie beeing on leash with person 1 while person 2 makes the gestures.
Works well also on dogs that already have developed the habit (assuming they have a good sit)
And creates some interesting faces with the active young type ;-)

For the enthusiastic jumpers we tried something else in dog-school: teaching the on-the ground-with-4-feet-command...

PLEASE! don't scream at him when he's jumping up... he has no idea what you mean!
Ignoring helps to start it ... when the 4th foot (finally) hits the ground that's the time to tell them your new command ... like "ground" etc., tell him/her... what a good dog AND give them a treat (down there of course) ... make them believe it's fun down there ;-)
it takes some time but it's positive, non violent and you can end up with a dog that is pleased to please you by putting all-fours on the ground.
it works on the bases of don't punish when they bark but reward them when they stop ;-)

We tried the calming-down-and-sit-method before but we both got frustrated because nor my boxer nor me are the calm type so now he's allowed to kidney-bean like crazy BUT: feet remain on the ground ;-) so we both have it our way

Constanze + Yanos

 

[Lorena Rouse]

**Off the subject of jumping...sorry couldn't resist...

Kidney Bean!!! I just absolutely love that term. I waited and wainted for our little Betz to Kidney Bean. Started thinking maybe we'd taken her from her family too soon before her parents could teach her, cuz she just didn't Kidney Bean. Finally, two weeks ago, at 13 weeks of age, after letting her in from outside (at 5:30 a.m.) she Kidney Beaned!!! I was SO excited. I told my 14 year old daughter, "Betsy did her first Kidney Bean!!" She thinks counseling is in order for me, cuz she still hasn't seen her Kidney Bean, or doesn't quite know what to look for (even though I've pointed it out on many occasions).
Now every morning I let Betz out, she comes in and Kidney Beans all over the utility room. Just can't have a bad start to the day when you've got a room full of Kidney Bearns!!

 

[bxr_mvr]

Amen to that!!!:D