Actually I find teaching a dog not to jump very easy and simple - as long as people involved know what they're doing! Which they often don't and getting them to understand it and do it right bigger trick than anything one can try teaching a dog.

A dog jumps to get attention. If he gets it he'll jump again. If on the other hand he doesn't get it and gets it when sitting, that's what he'll do - sit.

This is Stanley Coren's idea and has worked for us beautifully as long as the human element does it right. Worked with our dogs and works with strange dogs also.

Sometimes it might take a little while for the dog to figure this out, but as long as the response is consistent, they quickly what works for getting attention. Never had to use anything else, but had to spray a number of people! :P

I have a VERY SEDATE nine month old Doberman... yeah right! His spring-loaded legs can launch his 80 pounds in any direction. I'm not a vet, but I come from five generations of them, and we've had dogs of all shapes and sizes running our households... but never a Doberman. How hard can one be... it's a DOG ain't it?

Well, I've been heard to say, "Never again!" But, then he sprawls across me with that beautiful, hot, out-for-the-count head, puffing his little puffs of snore. Sigh! I'm in love again... at least until morning. Though he'd rather get up at the 'crack of chickens' he must wait for ME to rise. Then he dashes through the house, sending cats in every direction, until I hook him up with collar and leash. Now attached to the six footer, he must follow me. Wherever I goeth, he goeth! If he jumps up he receives a quick jerk on the lead, and a resounding "NO!" as I turn my back on him for a count of five - then life continues. We follow this ritual for a few hours each day. He's getting better daily, and I'm retaining more and more of my gray hair. I'm lucky that I have so much time to work with him because he is NOT an easy dog with which to deal. I dispensed with the 'shakers' and 'spray bottles' because they only heightened his emotions, and I want a calm sweetheart. AND...he is definitely well on his way!

I take two different approaches with this depending on whether it's my dog or someone else's that is acting up.

Another person's dog gets caught mid-leap on my knee and gently deflected away. A firm "no" and eye contact usually either a) gets the message across to the dog or b) gets the message across to the human, who then intervenes and puts the dog in the proper position to be greeted.

All of my own dogs were always trained that humans that weren't specifically signaling an intent to play were to be approached and sat in front of if you want attention. This rule applied from the moment they came home as very small puppies, so it was rarely a problem by the time they became large enough to do damage. Dogs that ignore the rule get the knee bounce and a "no!" and those that persist frequently found themselves on their backs on the ground. I prefer praise to food treats when training so I don't always treats on me to bribe with. I also always exaggerated the difference between my tone with "no" (very low, very gruff, very sharp) and a praise (baby talkish - much higher pitched and effusive). It eliminates a lot of confusion on the part of the dog.

Completely withhold all attention. No talking, no eye contact, no touching, keep turning your back to a dog who is jumping up. Everytime she comes around to face you, turn your back again. Cross your arms and stare at the ceiling if you have to. When she gives up and all four are on the floor, then give her a pat and a "good girl".

I think that giving her commands and treats, in this case, is counterproductive. You are actually rewarding the jumping up behavior by following it with attention (eye contact and talking) and a treat. Normally I'm all about proactively correcting behavior, but I went through this with a high energy dog who found every correction rewarding, even a knee to the chest, because he thought it was play and he'd just come back harder and more excited. Talking, eye contact and treats? He would have never stopped jumping up ...

My favorite obedience trainer would tell the story of a man who would solve ALL your dog's probems (barking, jumping, chewing, digging, chasing cars...)for $100. Supposedly his brother owned a metal shop and would make an extension for your bicycle. You tie your dog to it and drive around the neighborhood at a good clip for 45 minutes - voila, your dog sleeps placidly the rest of the day.

Seriously, once my own hyperactive Dobie knew how to "heel", I took her out on the bike, it worked wonders. My current Border Collie gets her exercise with long walks before sunrise, and during the day on a vacant lot with an old tennis racket and ball. She runs like crazy and I don't have to work that hard.

As far as jumping on people, the trainer recommended walking straight into the dog, tipping it backwards, instead of retreating from it. Again, it worked wonders with my Dobie.

My dog Stevie responds well to a strong "NO!" as I turn away from him quickly with no acknowledgment. When he doesn't jump, I warmly pet his head and say, "Hi, Stevie! Good dog!" Just my disapproval is enough to change his behavior. He is a beagle mix as you can see in the very short video (click link in my signature). Stevie loves organic vegetables and my son and I have started making 1-2 minute videos called "WILL STEVIE EAT IT?"

/Maggie Curran

Will Stevie eat it? http://www.maggiecurran.com/will-stevie-eat-it/
Business Development, Online Strategic Marketing
Miami 305-735-1040
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Thanks for this! We'll be adding a link in the Tripawds Hopping Around forum. These tips are especially important for our bone cancer heroes and other three legged friends who can't risk harming remaining legs!

Now if we can only convince their guardians to keep them from jumping off the furniture, or out of vehicles without the help of a harness.

With a dog who's just happy and bouncy and trying to put their feet on me, I dodge at the last second so they get unbalanced and end up back on the floor. Doing that a couple of times usually makes them stop, and doing it several sessions in a row often gets them to stop trying.

If they're hyper and jumping, not necessarily trying to jump on ME, I do "I won't touch you unless you're sitting." I even put my hands where the dog can't see them. They may need some help getting the idea at first, but after a few times they get pretty happy about it; jumping means no attention, sitting means they get ALL that petting and snuggling and cooing they wanted so badly anyway. Dogs I know who jump on other people usually sit for me ;)

I see the problem of jumping up as two issues depending on why the dog is jumping on people.

If the problem is due to the idea the dog isn't getting enough exercise and is hyper for that reason. You need to see to it the dog gets exercise. Doggy day care. Local adolescent or teenager can also take the dog out before school. HIre someone to exercise the dog. It also has to do with the breed and particular dog in the breed. One family I know had a Visla that was very obedient and had no problems. The second Visla was very destructive. An hour before school was not enough like with their first dog. This dog needed an hour before school and an hour or more after school both times flat out action in terms of exercise. Several different family members and a neighbor were enlisted to give this dog enough exercise. When the dog had enough exercise all problems were solved.

The second reason is the dog jumps on people to get attention. The simplest way to deal with the problem is to bend over a bit more as our Cockers are shorter and give them what they want, attention. That way they don't have to jump up. After they get attention, they are fine and they just want to be near people. Yes, we tried the ignoring, turning the back, etc. The quickest is just to greet the dog. And if you want them even calmer, you can give them a "sit" gesture with your hand and they will sit when being greeted.

Tina still does it occassionally, but at least she knows it's not allowed. A snap of the fingers or a "pssst" noise brings her back to reality. What's very cute is that when she really really wants attention she will sit up in the "beg" position and put her paws on my knee, all the while giving me the look of "See!? Not jumping."