Puppy Advice

Teaching puppies not to jump up

Young puppies that jump up can be very appealing, and it is hard to resist making a fuss of them when they do it. However, doing so can reward the behaviour and allow an annoying habit to form that can last a lifetime. With correct education during the early months of puppy ownership, your puppy can learn not to jump up and to keep all four feet on the ground when greeting people instead.

Why do puppies do it?

Puppies that jump up and put their paws on people are usually very social and are trying to get our attention. Their aim is to get close enough to lick our faces, a normal and natural greeting for a puppy. When this is rewarded by humans with fuss and attention, they learn to do it every time they want their attention or when greeting people, which can become a real nuisance when they are older and bigger.

To punish or not?

Many people scold or tell their puppy off for jumping or pawing. This usually has only a temporary effect and the puppy jumps up or paws again soon afterwards. Many trainers misguidedly recommend the use of various forms of punishment for jumping up. The side-effects of punishment are often the development of a fear of hands, knees, legs, or feet, depending on the choice of action. This can cause a happy, out-going puppy to become withdrawn, wary, frightened and even defensively aggressive, and so it is not a good choice of treatment for this (or any) problem.

Play Time?

Some lively puppies jump up and put paws on people when trying to get them to play. This is common in young energetic puppies that play unsupervised with children. Jumping up and play-biting often results in some lively squealing from the person, making the game very exciting for the puppy. It is also very common in puppies whose owners like to play ‘rough and tumble’ wrestling type games. Puppies that do this need to learn to play with toys rather than using people's bodies for this purpose.

No more jumping or pawing

Teach an alternative behaviour
Most puppies respond well to training for a behaviour that is incompatible with jumping, such as sitting.
Prevent practice
Some owners may need to use a line for a while to prevent the puppy practising the jumping up or pawing so they can reward the behaviour they want, particularly if there are small children in the household.
Be patient
The important thing is to only ever reward your puppy with attention when all four feet are on the ground and allow time for your puppy to develop new habits. Use of management tools e.g. leads or baby gates, will also be needed around visitors and children until good habits are established.
Lessons in self control
For seasoned jumpers or pawers, lessons in self-control may be needed to help speed up the process.

Preventing jumping up

How can your Puppy School Tutor help?

On Week Four of your Puppy School course your tutor will coach you how to teach your puppy to greet people appropriately.

In some cases they may recommend a home visit to provide additional 121 support and guidance for you regarding appropriate management strategies, teaching your puppy to play with toys or useful self control exercises.

Need more help?

Puppies may also jump up for other reasons. They may seek reassurance when worried, they may jump up when their owners arrive home if they are worried about spending time alone, they may learn to seek attention by jumping up and grabbing or they may jump up when unsure about greeting new/unknown people.

In these cases it is best to seek professional help fast. Your tutor will be able to help you find an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist when further advice and support is needed.

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