How To Teach A Dog Not To Jump Up At People

Learning how to teach a dog not to jump up at people is a process that includes others as well as you. Not only are you training the dog not to jump but you are teaching people how to not react to the dog. You are also training yourself not to pull the dog down or to yell at the dog.

The dog is showing submissive behavior when he jumps on a person. He is being friendly and showing his willingness to serve, but most people do not like to be jumped on. They think it is a case of teaching the dog some manners. The dog, on the other hand, will get confused if people are scared or aggressive when he is showing that he wants to be their friend.

Sometimes children are the hardest to keep the dog from jumping on. He doesn't understand they can be shocked, scared or hurt while he is just trying to be a playmate.
 
The steps in how to train a dog not to jump up on people are simple. Start with yourself. Do not accept that he jumps on you. Say "Down" and then "Sit". Speak firmly but do not yell at the dog. Give him a treat if he obeys you, but give the treat when he is sitting, not when he first gets down. The dog may think he is being given the treat for jumping, so he will do it again. Remember, to him, jumping is friendly behavior, not aggressive at all. He expects you to like it. So the reward must be for sitting, or for not jumping at all.

This process will take a little time because the jumping behavior seems natural and friendly to the dog. Dogs want to be friendly with people. It is a natural instinct with them. They like to play and love it when it is rewarded. So be sure to play with the dog plenty, but not when he jumps on you. If you like it and laugh and cuddle him, how can he know that strangers will not feel the same way?

Other people can help by not playing with him or pushing him off (which will probably seem like play to him). If they will stand still or move side ways then he will learn not to jump. Explain this to family members and frequent visitors that know the dog well and can see when he is going to jump. If they don't react to him, he will get the message not to jump.

Some people cannot do this because the jumping makes them nervous or they just want to play with the dog. Those people are not going to help train him and it is better if he is not able to get close to them while he is being trained, because they will confuse him and slow down the training.

Do not confuse your dog and you will both be very happy in the end. Just be vocal and remember to reward when he doesn't jump. As with all dog training, this can be an easy lesson or it can take time. Being consistent, having everybody do the same thing, is the key to how to teach a dog not to jump on people.