Jumping Up
Dogs naturally greet people by jumping up on them, but this behavior is unacceptable and often dangerous. You must teach your dog to sit whenever they greet you or other people. It's important to remember that jumping up persists because the dog is usually rewarded for it. When you give your dog any form of attention for jumping on you, even negative attention like yelling, pushing, or kneeing, the behavior will continue. Therefore, the most effective way to stop a dog from jumping up is to eliminate the reinforcement - your attention.
Jumping on You
When your dog jumps on you, turn away without saying anything. If you are sitting, stand up, gently shrug them off, and walk away. Your dog will learn that jumping on you causes you to leave, regardless of the situation.
Jumping up on People Entering the House
When you enter the house and your dog jumps up, turn around and go back outside. Wait for a moment and then re-enter. If the dog jumps up again, leave once more. Repeat this process until the dog chooses an alternative behavior, such as sitting when you enter. The dog will learn that jumping on you as you enter leads to your departure but sitting results in the attention they desire (along with a tasty treat). Practice this exercise frequently until your dog learns to sit each time you enter the house. Perform this at every entrance, and involve all family members and visiting friends so the dog understands they must sit to greet everyone.
Jumping up on Approaching People
One person should have the dog on a leash while another person approaches. If the dog starts to jump up on the approaching person, the approaching person should turn around and walk away. Repeat this process until the dog remains standing or sits. When the dog sits, the approaching person should praise the dog and provide a treat. Repeat this exercise with as many different people approaching as possible so the dog learns that they must sit to greet everyone.
If you use a marker signal like a clicker, click when the dog exhibits the correct behavior (not jumping) as you enter the house or approach the dog.
Leash Management
If you do not want to ask the approaching person to walk away when your dog jumps up, you can manage your dog so they can't do it. The most effective way is to step on their leash right before the person approaches. Find the spot on the leash where your dog can sit comfortably but will be prevented from jumping up when you step on it. Mark that spot with tape or a marker. When someone is approaching, step on the marked spot. This will help your dog learn not to jump. This technique can also be used when visitors enter your home.
Impulse Control Exercise for Jumping
Ask the dog to sit.
When the dog is sitting in front of you, hold a small treat about a foot over their head to entice them to jump up for it by wiggling it around.
If the dog jumps up to get the food, use a "no rewards mark" ("et et" or "oops") and pull the treat away.
If the dog holds the sit, click and give the treat.
Gradually increase the amount of time the dog must sit patiently before you click and deliver the treat.
