by Donald C. Hill
Many dogs have a propensity to jump on people at least some of the time. How often this happens revolves around your dog's breed and his or her individual makeup. One noteworthy theory surmises that dogs jump because they are attempting to get close to someone's face; they do this not to attack that person, but to facilitate interaction. Dogs do this with each other as well, only in that case, their faces are close to each other (especially if they're of comparable breeds or sizes). Dogs use both sight and smell to explore.
Therefore, one way to deal with your dog's predilection to jump is to remove the need for them to "reach out" to you. Instead of standing, kneel down when you greet your dog and let him or her "explore" you on that level. Offer him or her the chance to "explore" your face, safely, making sure to safeguard yourself in the event the dog becomes particularly assertive. Most dogs will not bite their owners this way, especially if the owner has taken the time to assume the leadership position in the "pack," otherwise known as the "alpha" position.
If you've just adopted an older dog and don't know his or her personality, take some precautions to make sure you won't be injured when you do this. To protect yourself and train the dog, put a collar on the dog and insert your thumb behind the dog's neck between the collar and the dog's neck. If the dog shows signs of aggression, jerk your thumb sideways.
If at all possible, jerk sideways, not backwards. A dog's neck muscles are strong, but you can easily injure your dog's throat if you use a sharp backwards motion. Remember that you're trying to teach your dog not to do this particular behavior and at the same time protect yourself, but you are not punishing your dog.
You can also train your dog off leash to discourage jumping. Wear a pair of sturdy pants and stand your dog in front of you. You can of course train your dog to "sit," but this isn't going to work all the time. Usually, a dog jumps after he or she has been running our standing. Therefore, start this exercise with your dog standing.
Your dog will have a certain body tension if he or she is about to jump. Watch for this and when it happens, tell your dog to "sit." If the dog still jumps, pick your leg up just slightly and nudge your dog in the chest with your knee or thigh. As you do so, put your hand palm out near your dog's face and say, "Off!" as you do so. (Don't say "down," since that indicates a different behavior.)
Again, gentleness is important. Don't push hard into the dog's chest, and don't push your hand into his or her face. Your knee action simply keeps the dog off you and puts it ever so slightly off-balance, while your "palm out" hand near his or her face obscures vision and discourages him or her from jumping again.
If you can work with a partner, you can try leash training if your dog simply isn't responding properly with the other method. When the dog begins to jump, have your partner jerk the dog sideways as you say, "Off!" Make sure it's you and not your partner saying, "Off!", since you are the one the dog should be focusing on and obeying.
If you don't have a partner and you are training outside, you can wrap the leash (assuming it's long) around a post or tree. This is somewhat more difficult, because the dog will be jerked backwards rather than sideways, which is less helpful than a sideways jerk.
You can also use positive reinforcement to train your dog. Take a favorite toy or a treat in your hand and when the dog starts to jump, hold the treat or toy slightly behind and above your dog's head. This will distract your dog and somewhat "unbalance" him or her. It also encourages the dog to sit even though the initial tendency was to jump.
As with any type of training, repetition and consistency are key when you say, "Off!" Be firm but patient with your dog as you train him or her. With time, most dogs will understand that they must obey and suppress their natural urge to jump until you give them permission to do so.
Learn how to pick the right <a href="http://www.dogbeddingstore.com/">Dog Bedding</a> for your dog. Don't let <a href="http://dogtrainingbasicsonline.com/puppy-potty-training.html">Puppy Potty Training</a> become a prolonged or frustrating affair.. Also published at <a href="http://www.uberarticles.com/home.php?id=103413&p=52217">Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog Not to Jump</a>.
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New Unique Article!
Title: Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog Not to Jump
Author: Donald C. Hill
Email: yahme12@yahoo.com
Keywords: dog bedding,dog beds,pet beds,pet supplies,pets,home,family,hobbies
Word Count: 745
Category: Hobbies
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