Petcademy

Why do dogs jump?

Dogs often look when they’re looking for attention and are excited to say hello. Introductions to new people can often trigger dogs to jump because they're excited to say hello.

Steps you can take to minimize unwanted jumping

• When your dog jumps, turn your back on them. Only turn around and give them attention when they have four feet on the ground. Technically this is a form of punishment, so use this approach sparingly.

• Focus on making the ground really attractive. If good things are happening on the ground, your pup will be more inclined to keep their feet on the ground. To do this, try playing the "Find it" game. To play, simply grab a few treats or pieces of kibble, toss them on the floor one at a time, and say "Find it". Do this multiple times so that your pup gets a good deal of sniffing. Sniffing, the core component of the “Find It” game, will help keep their nose (and feet!) on the ground, reduce stress, and release some of the energy they’re currently using to jump up.

• Ensure your pup has ample opportunity to get out their excited energy. This means ensuring they’re getting enough physical exercise and opportunities to explore outside. In addition to physical activity, you want to make sure they have enough mental simulation. To help with this, consider a work to eat bowl or toy like the Toppl. This will help your pup burn the mental energy that's contributing to their jumping.

• Manage your pup's space. When people come over, consider using a baby gate to limit your dog’s access to your guests. Furthermore, if you have a dog who is acclimated to a crate, you can have guests toss treats in the crate. You can do this with or without the crate actually being closed — delivering the treats in the crate will help your dog want to be in there, whether or not they have to be.

• Train your pup to "Go to Mat." This is a great exercise to teach pups that are prone to overexcitement and jumping. The long term goal of this exercise is for you to be able to say "Go to mat" when your pup is excited, and they immediately head to their mat to enjoy something delicious (like a work to eat toy).