How to teach your dog to stop jumping on people or "Off" command.
Introduction
Jumping is a common behavior for dogs of all ages and breeds. It can be caused by a number of factors, such as excitement, playfulness, or a desire for attention. While jumping can be cute and harmless at times, it can also be dangerous and destructive. For example, a dog that jumps on a child could knock them over and cause an injury. Or, a dog that jumps on furniture could scratch or damage it.
To combat jumping, we teach the dog the "Off" command. "Off" means that the dog is to put all of their paws on the floor/ground. This command can be used for jumping on people, other dogs, furniture, counter surfing, or any other time the dogs' paws leave the floor/ground without being asked to do so.
Common Misconceptions
- You should never push your dog off of you when they jump. This can actually make the problem worse. Instead, simply say "Off" and wait for your dog to get down on their own.
- You should never yell at your dog when they jump. Yelling will only make your dog scared and confused. Instead, use a firm voice and say "Off" calmly and consistently.
- You should never give your dog treats when they jump. This will only reinforce the behavior. Instead, only give your dog treats when they are being calm and following the "Off" command.
Steps to Address
Teaching Phase
- Identify the triggers. What are the things that make your dog jump? Is it when you come home from work? When someone new comes to the door? When they're excited? Once you know the triggers, you can start to work on training your dog to respond differently.
- Teach your dog the "Off" command. Start by teaching your dog the meaning of the word "off." Hold a treat in front of your dog's nose and say "Off" as you move the treat away from them. Once they back away from you, give them the treat. Repeat this several times until your dog reliably backs away from you when you say "Off."
- Once your dog understands what "Off" means, you can start teaching them to put all four paws on the ground. Hold a treat in front of your dog's nose and lure them down to the ground. As soon as all four paws are on the ground, say "Off" and give them the treat. Repeat this several times until your dog reliably puts all four paws on the ground when you say "Off."
Reinforcing Phase
- Once your dog is reliably following the "Off" command, you can start reinforcing the behavior with praise and treats. When your dog follows the command, be sure to give them a lot of praise and a treat. This will help them to associate the "Off" command with something positive and make them more likely to follow it in the future.
- You can also start to introduce distractions into your training. For example, you could try practicing the "Off" command when there are other people or dogs around. Or, you could try practicing the command when your dog is excited or playful.
Proofing Phase
- Once your dog is reliably following the "Off" command in a variety of situations, you can start to proof the behavior. This means practicing the command in different environments and with different distractions. For example, you could try practicing the command in a park or at a store. Or, you could try practicing the command when there are loud noises or other dogs around.
Maintenance Phase
- Even after your dog has learned the "Off" command, it is important to continue practicing it regularly. This will help to keep the behavior fresh in their mind and make them more likely to follow it in the future. You should also be prepared to use the command whenever your dog starts to jump.
Case Studies
- Case Study 1:
A client came to Partners Dog School with a 1-year-old Golden Retriever named Buddy who was jumping on people. The client was concerned that Buddy would knock someone over or hurt them. We started by teaching Buddy the "Off" command. We used a combination of positive reinforcement and proofing to help Buddy learn the command. After a few weeks of training, Buddy was reliably following the "Off" command and no longer jumping on people.
- Case Study 2:
Another client came to Partners Dog School with a 3-year-old Border Collie named Bailey who was jumping on furniture. The client was worried that Bailey would scratch or damage the furniture. We started by teaching Bailey the "Off" command. We also taught Bailey a "Place" command so that he could have a designated spot to go when he was feeling restless. After a few weeks of training, Bailey was reliably following the "Off" command and no longer jumping on furniture.
Pet Parent Coaching Tips
- Be consistent with your training. The more consistent you are with the "Off" command, the more likely your dog is to learn it.
- Be patient. It takes time and patience to teach a dog a new command. Don't get discouraged if your dog doesn't learn the command right away. Keep practicing and eventually they will get it.
- Be positive. Use positive reinforcement
Conclusion
Jumping is a common behavior for dogs, but it can be easily addressed with consistent training. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can teach your dog the "Off" command and prevent them from jumping on people, furniture, or other objects.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What if my dog doesn't seem to understand the "Off" command? A: If your dog is not understanding the "Off" command, it may be helpful to break the command down into smaller steps. Start by teaching your dog to back away from you when you say "Off." Once your dog is reliably backing away from you, you can start teaching them to put all four paws on the ground.
- Q: What if my dog is only following the "Off" command when I have a treat? A: If your dog is only following the "Off" command when you have a treat, it may be helpful to use variable reinforcement. This means that you should only give your dog a treat sometimes when they follow the command. This will help them to learn that the "Off" command is rewarding even when there is no treat involved.
- Q: What if my dog is still jumping after I've been training them? A: If your dog is still jumping after you've been training them, it may be helpful to seek professional help from a dog trainer or behaviorist. They can help you to troubleshoot the problem and develop a training plan that is tailored to your dog's individual needs.