Perfect Puppy Problem Solving – Chapter 4 – Jumping Up (Part 2)
Chapter 4 – Jumping Up (Part 2)
What to Do (Continued…)
Greeting Manners
Step 1:
- Stand inside your house. Have a treat hidden in your hand. Put your puppy on leash so that you can better control your environment. You won’t use the leash to correct her, just to prevent her from running off and getting distracted.
- Your friend or family member is outside. Have him ring the doorbell.
- Answer the door and greet your friend. Your puppy will likely jump on the person.
Step 2:
- The second your puppy makes contact with the “guest,” give the cue “Off.” Your guest should turn away from your puppy and fold his arms across his chest. He should completely ignore your puppy.
- Both of you wait. Don’t lure her off with the treat, and don’t keep repeating, “Off! Off! Off!” Just wait. She will realize that she’s not getting any attention from your guest, and she will get off.
Step 3:
- The second that your puppy puts all four paws on the ground, mark “Yes!” and give her the treat from your hand.
- Have your guest attempt to pet your puppy and give her the attention that she wants. If she jumps up again, immediately repeat Step 2. Your puppy should only get attention when all four paws are on the floor.
- Repeat from Step 1 several times more, then take a break until your next training session. If you are consistent about practicing this exercise at the door, your puppy will learn that she only gets attention when she’s off your guests, not on them.
Sitting Politely for Petting
Step 1:
- Have several treats in your hand. Give the cue “Sit.’ As soon as your puppy sits, mark “Yes!” and give her a treat.
- Your friend should approach your puppy. Before she can get up to greet him, mark “Yes!” and give her another treat.
- Your friend should reach under your puppy’s chin for her to sniff his hand, then pet her. Mark “Yes!” and give her a treat (as long as her rear end remains on the ground).
- As long as your puppy remains in a sit, give her an occasional “Yes!” and a treat.
Step 2:
- If your puppy gets up, your friend should immediately fold his arms across his chest and look away from your puppy. He should completely ignore her.
- Don’t repeat the sit cue. Instead, use your hand signal to lure her into a sit. As soon as she sits again, mark “Yes” and give her a treat. Your friend should start petting your puppy again.
- As long as your puppy is sitting, give her treats and attention. When she’s not sitting, give her neither. She will learn that all she has to do is to sit to get the good stuff.
- Give your puppy the release cue “Okay!”
Troubleshooting: What if your puppy keeps getting up over and over? Go back to practicing the sit cue without the petting part; she may need more practice. Be sure that you are not rewarding her for getting up before you give your release cue. Remember, rewards to your puppy can be you saying, “Sit! Sit! Sit!” over and over again, because that’s attention. Also, shorten the amount of time that you’re expecting her to sit still and be petted. You may be asking too much of her at this point.
What Not to Do
Do not knee your puppy in the chest or pinch her toes or use any other kind of physical punishment if she jumps on you. This can backfire. You may teach her not to jump on you, but she’ll probably still jump on a child, senior citizen, or anyone else who can’t use strong force to stop her. Or you’ll teach her to be afraid of you. Instead, use the lessons in this section so that everyone in your family can benefit.
If you have a shy or fearful puppy, do not make her sit for petting. You may be asking too much of her to expect her to sit still while what she perceives as a monster approaches her. She may be so frightened that she snaps or growls. If you have a shy puppy, work with a professional trainer to help her overcome her fearfulness.
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