Use these 3 easy steps to see an instant change in your dog’s behavior. Like with any behavior modification it takes consistency to see an overall change but over time your dog will stop see in the benefits of jumping.
1.Your command.
My pet peeve is when people say down instead of off when your dog jumps on you. Down is meant for lay down only. Every command has to be connected to only one behavior. It sounds like it wouldn’t matter but it does. Dogs typically jump when they want something. They jump on you for affection, they jump on counters for food, and they jump on furniture for comfort. So unless your down command is excellent and you can get your dog to stop what they’re doing and lay down, you need an alternative command. Off is your command; off the counter, off the furniture, off of me. It’s a subtle difference to you but a big one to your dog.
2. Your behavior
Your dog jumps on you, you say off. Now here are your reinforcements to make your dog rethink how to get your attention. First, when you get home, and your dog is happy to see you jumping all over the place unless you approve of that behavior do not add to it by speaking in high pitched baby talk, or using tones, words, and body language that spin up your dog further. Instead stay calm, wait for your dog to calm down before you tell them, you missed them too.
3. All Four on the Floor
Only pet your dog when all four paws are on the floor! Your dog wants your attention. Only give it when they are exhibiting the behavior you want. If your dog jumps on you, cross your arms over your chest or tell it to sit. Once it stops jumping on you, pet your dog and praise them. It won’t take long for them to realize that they only get pet if they don’t jump on you. If you are consistent, they will stop their jumping habit quickly because they know how to get the behavior they want from you.