Jumpin’ Jiminy – Keep Fido on the Ground!

Dear friends of mine have an adorable 10-month Old English Sheepdog who loves to jump up on houseguests. My friends tolerated this habit until the dog jumped on a 78-year-old woman and slammed her against the wall.

Fortunately, she was only shaken up, but it convinced my friends to ask for
help. Here are the tips I gave them.

1. Try to stay calm yourself

When the doorbell rings, don’t leap up or let your children start
running to the door. Keep the family calm and walk to the door
in a relaxed manner.

2. Prepare visitors

Most people finding a puppy jumping up on them are going to say
“good boy” and start petting him. Ask them instead to turn their
back to the dog and ignore him. Only acknowledge him when he responds
to his owner’s command to “sit.” Then praise him or give him a treat.

3. Use a short lead

I don’t like a leash on a collar for small dogs but put him in a body
harness attached to a leash when you’re expecting company. Make him sit
behind you while you answer the door. Step on the leash if he tries to
move ahead of you or jump on your guest.

4. Control yourself and your family

The most effective tool I’ve found to stop jumpers is to turn your back on
them. Teach your children this as well.

If you or your child are in a position you can’t do this, make fists with both
hands, cross your arms over your chest and look up. Do not make eye contact
with the dog or talk to him.

Dogs, the social pack animal they are, crave our attention and withholding it
is the best correction we can give them.

Note – some goofy advice is still out there to try to knee a dog when he
jumps up. This can be harmful and furthermore, for a small dog that is
only 4 to 6 inches off the floor, it isn’t even feasible.

Remember – withholding attention is the best correction. Be consistent
in your training and soon Fido will keep all paws on the floor.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and
creator of the popular website on small dogs,
http://www.ToyBreeds.com