The Old Trainer: Interrupt dog’s concentration to stop jumping

Q:

Our 1-year old boxer, Buzz, is well behaved in most things, but when we first come home he jumps up on us and is so big he almost knocks us down. He also does it with anyone who visits our house. One trainer told me to step on his back feet when he does it, but I haven’t had any luck with it.

– Stan, Santa Fe, N.M.

A: No one has any luck with it. Mikhail Baryshnikov might have the balance to stand on one leg and step on the back paws of a 100-pound dog jumping at him, but the rest of us don’t.

Even if you could do it, it doesn’t work and neither does the other old bromide: “Raise your knee into the dog’s chest.” Stunts like that are not training; they are ways to avoid training. That’s why jumping up on people ranks second – right behind excess barking – as the second most common problem people have with their dogs.

Dogs jump up on people because it is fun and to show affection. When Buzz sees you stumble around trying to step on his back feet, it just adds to the fun and encourages him to keep doing it. He doesn’t realize he is doing anything wrong and won’t until you train him not to jump.

The way you do that is to teach him he gets love if he doesn’t jump, discipline if he does. Jumping has become a habit and you break a bad habit by interrupting his concentration the instant it occurs to him.

Carry a rolled up newspaper with you. The instant he starts to jump, whack your leg with the newspaper – making as loud a noise as you can – and say “don’t jump.” Hold your hand like a policeman stopping traffic as you say it.

When he hears the noise and backs off, pet him and praise him. The petting will make him so happy he will jump again. Repeat the exercise. Do it every single time he jumps. Always pet and praise him when he backs off.

Be relentless. If whacking your leg does not stop the jumping, touch him on the neck with the paper after you whack your leg, grab his collar and order him to “sit.” As soon as he obeys your command, pet him and love on him.

He wants to do the right thing. All you have to do is show him what that is. You can anticipate when he is likely to jump and that is the magic moment when you interrupt him. The touch on his neck with the newspaper breaks his concentration. Reward him with love and praise when he stops. No matter what you are teaching your dog, love is the most important part of the training.

Dogs learn faster when they are relaxed and having fun. Remember the first rule of training – have fun and make sure Buzz does, too. And nothing is more fun for Buzz than having you love on him.

A 1-year old dog is still a baby, so have patience but correct him every time he jumps and you will see an improvement in a few days.

This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 1:43 PM with the headline "The Old Trainer: Interrupt dog’s concentration to stop jumping."