dog is jumping up on people

Question
Part of the problem of our dog jumping on us is how we have taught him, I know. We like to give him hugs, so sometimes when he jumps on us, we hug him and sometimes we tell him "no jump." We need to be consistent. But we don't really know how to get him to stop jumping so that we CAN be consistent. He's very sensitive -- is that a trait of Shelties? (Our first Sheltie. He's 2 years old; we've had him since he was 1.)

Answer
Hi Betty!

Ah yes, the unintended consequence.  Much like my Tucker and the same issue.  

As you have already pointed out-keep commands simple and consistent.  Your Sheltie is senstive and his whole life is to please you.  When he doesn't it is a big deal and his feelings are hurt-- not exaclty the same way you and I would be, but he definitely has a negative reaction.

I would try redirecting.  He wants to approach you for the hug.  Make another step in the process.  Ask him to sit with your hand signal and then do hug.  Make it clear with a combination of your sit hand sign and your hug hand sign.  Don't want him to always hug after sitting? Alternate this in initial training with some sit/stay exercises so he sees there are two distinct differences.

Before long he won't do the hug without the sit command first- if we are lucky.  Then the jumping up can be separated into a bad category.

Shouldn't take more than a few days of training to put the step in, assuming you have worked with him.  When he doesn't get it, don't negative reinforce.  Just positive reinforce when he gets it right.  Only after he understands sit-hug then aggressively ban the jumping up without permission.

Since I don't know if you do a particular sign, I might suggest for sit take your level hand and tip all the fingers down.  Use a double pat on your chest for hug.  Or whatever you are already using.  

Hope that helps!

'sneezes
Dave