There is no greater reminder of the differences between dog and human than in the behaviors that so annoy us and yet are so innate to them. Barking, jumping on us and on our things, tearing apart the garbage – how exasperating! Here are some techniques to alleviate these nuisances:
Jumping Up
Dogs are very aware of personal space. Jumping up, while usually an attempt to greet face-to-face, is a rude behavior and an invasion of your space. Though a small puppy jumping up to seek your attention might seem harmless enough, the behavior won’t seem so trifling when the puppy has grown into a 140-pound Great Dane. And few others will appreciate being accosted by your rambunctious adolescent.
When your pup jumps up on you, cross your arms across your chest and turn away from her. In this way, you are withholding the very thing she seeks: your attention. When she drops back to the floor, you can turn around and reward her polite behavior with pets and love. Remember: Don’t use your hands to push her off of you; this is in itself a form of attention from you and will inadvertently reward the behavior.
For dogs who are particularly resistant to keeping four on the floor, leave the leash dragging when you’re at home with your dog and step on the leash to inhibit his ability to jump up. Then make sure to capture and reward the moments when he is exhibiting polite behavior. Soon enough he will catch on to what’s working for him and what isn’t.
Should you decide that having your pup jump on you is something you enjoy, you might put the behavior on cue, so that patting your hands to your thighs or chest is an invitation to jump up. Without invitation, though, the behavior should not be allowed.
On Wednesday, there will be a follow-up article on ways to inhibit the common problem of territorial behavior. So give a peek back!
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