Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company and even your grandmother who has a walker? This can be a very irritating trait for your dog to develop. Unfortunately, it can make people afraid to come to your house. No one wants to try to have a conversation with a fluffy furball trying to jump on them or sit on their lap.
There are many dogs that are too friendly. They never meet a stranger, and would even roll out the red carpet and lavish love on the most curmudgeonly individual. While no one wants to discourage a puppy’s likability, it is necessary for him to learn social manners.
Have you ever met a person that you try to avoid? When you see this person coming, do you do everything in your power to make sure that their endless talk doesn’t hold you back? There are some dogs that people just want to avoid too. If one of these overly friendly types is in your house, you need to teach him self-control. This can be done through constant training.
Sometimes this type of problem arises because a puppy thinks it is in charge of the home. He thinks that he is the “Lord of the Manor” and everyone should be glad to have him on his lap! Dogs often develop this attitude when they don’t feel a clearly defined leader in the home. These canines are more than happy to assume the role of alpha male and do things as they please and fancy.
The most important thing you can do when you bring your pup home is send him the signal that you are the leader of his pack. One of the first steps to achieve this is for your pet to trust you for their food. You should never leave a full bowl of food for your pup to chew on at his leisure. By having you be the one to satisfy his hunger needs, he will quickly learn to respect you. He should have a set routine when he feeds his dog during the day. Any food left after 20 minutes should be saved until the next feeding.
Dogs can also get confused and think they are the king of the house when they are the first to be greeted by a family member after an absence. He should make it a point to greet all members of your household before acknowledging your pup. If you live alone, you can go to your room, change clothes, or have a drink before sitting down and saying hello to your pup. Many owners only intensify a bad jumping habit by enthusiastically greeting their pup as they walk through the door each day.
It’s very important that you start teaching your pup what “down” means as soon as he gets into the habit of jumping. This is not a very difficult technique to teach your puppy, if you practice it every time he jumps. The best thing to do during this phase is to let your pup jump on you. When he does and bounces to the ground, say “down.” But, don’t say this while he’s jumping. You have to wait until all four legs of his feet are firmly on the ground. You should also use this word any time he is caught lying on furniture and you have to put him down on the floor.
Once your dog seems to understand what down means, you should never allow him to jump on you again. Anytime your pup starts to jump on you, walk away immediately. Your dog will miss his mark and fall to the ground. Don’t make a scandal. Just turn your back and get out of his way. Once your pup is back on the floor, you can reach down, pet him, and say “down.” Your pup may not take this at first. He can continue jumping repeatedly until he reaches his target. . . you. Every time he jumps at you, just walk away and turn your back on him. Never greet your pup until he is completely down on the ground. Your pup will soon learn what down means, and he’ll also learn that he won’t get his attention if he’s jumping. While this can easily become a match of wills, it’s important that your dog understands that you are his pack leader!
One option to teach your pup that jumping on guests is unacceptable is to keep him on a leash. Have a leash by your door and if a guest arrives, put the leash on them before you open the door. If your pup stands on his hind legs and tries to greet the guest, gently pull him to the ground and say “down.” You should advise your guests to ignore your pup until he is on the ground. When your pup starts staying on the floor when guests arrive, have dog treats by the door to reward him. Every time he doesn’t jump up to greet a guest, praise him for staying down and give him a doggy treat.
Dogs are highly intelligent animals. They learn pretty fast. They can learn to obey and blend in with the family, or they can learn to be wild and be a general nuisance to everyone. The choice is up to the owner. It is best to start training your puppy from day one. While many commands cannot be learned right away, you should always let your pup know that you are the leader of his pack and that you will take care of him. In return, you expect to be obeyed and respected.
Some dogs may learn their social skills more easily than others. You should never give up if you have a dog that is a slow learner. Once you mentally click with your pup about what you expect of him, he will usually oblige. Puppies thrive on constant training, routine, and praise. Once he discovers that you will heap praise and adoration, he will gladly keep his feet on the ground and greet you and your guests from a comfortable distance.
Some dog owners may have trouble mastering the proper tone and techniques needed to command respect from their dogs. If you find it difficult to train your pup, you may want to consider taking your canine to an obedience class where both of you can benefit from the instruction. You can check local newspapers or go online to find the next available class in your area.
Your puppy will be with you for the rest of his life. You owe it to yourself and your guests (and even your dog!) to teach him how to interact and get along socially with humans.