Puppy Jumping Up

Dogs often jump up on people especially puppies. They stand on their rear legs and will rest their front paws on you.

This is normal behavior for a puppy to do. (Pups of wild canids do it all the time).

They jump up on each other or their parents. Puppies and domestic dogs will do the same.

Jumping up serves both as play and to teach them how to act as a predator or how to challenge other pack members in the dominance hierarchy.

In some homes, puppies are encouraged to jump up on their owners. Obviously, this is a mistake. While it may be seen as cute or as a sign of affection while the puppy is small, but it can be harmful when it is done by a 60lb Shepard.

A lot of owners complain about their dogs doing this. They shout "No" or  "get down" or any other  phrases that make perfect sense to them at the time, but unfortunately the puppy or dog does not understand.

They scream and punish the animals but little seems to help. Some of the peoples actions may excite the dog even more, and when this occurs, nothing is learned.

In all honesty, this behavior can be eliminated completely in a week or less, and as usual, we do not think you need to say anything. You need to communicate to the pet that this is not acceptable behavior and should not be done, but do not waste words or try to make up new phrases to correct it.

A simple body block will do the trick every time

When your dog or puppy starts to jump up on you, just turn sideways and either extend your leg or lean over and with your hip give a body block so that the dog never get their paws on you.

You see, once the dog has his front paws on you, he already got what he wanted. In other words the dog won and you lost.

When the dog has all four feet on the floor, immediately squat down and give him attention. He will soon learn that by sitting quietly with all four feet on the floor he will get what he wants.

What if the dog surprised you and got he's feet on you before you had a chance to block him.

Do NOT push the dog away with your hands. because now think that this is play.

Some people lightly step on the toes of one of the animal's rear feet, but not enough to hurt the dog.

All you want to do is make something they think is play suddenly uncomfortable to them.

Do not say anything, don't waste words on this kind of behavior. Remember this, you do not want to step down on the toes and make the animal yip in pain.

Done consistently, either of these actions will eliminate the jumping up behavior.