Jumping up is a gamble for dogs
We have been teaching our dog to stop jumping on people by rewarding him for keeping his paws on the floor. However, he still jumps on some people. Usually he is jumping on people who are cooing to him, slapping their legs. Some people pet him when he jumps. Others push him off. He doesn’t seem to understand that no jumping applies to everyone. How can we get some consistency? Rewarding, or reinforcing, good behaviour is important. It’s how dogs learn what they ought to do. Without it, it’s implausible that they will ever get things right. However, dogs also need to learn that unwanted behaviour does not work.
Treats are not the only reward in play at any given moment.
Sometimes jumping garners attention. Other times, the dog is pushed off. Many dogs see this as fun, rough play.
Dogs that face a complicated and inconsistent set of consequences will never fully stop jumping up.
Think of the world as a casino, with many gambling options. Every game might pay out. Just like every person the dog meets might also pay out. Who might pay and how is up in the air. Inconsistency means that the dog will “play all the games in the room.” That includes jumping, because sometimes it does work.
There are several things that families need to do. First, families need to come to a consensus and stick with it. Stop reinforcing problem behaviour.
Second, immunize the dog against cooing and leg slapping. Teach pets that these actions are a hand signal for sit. Drill this element at home first and then with helpers. Gently slap your legs, and if the dog does not jump, pay them with a treat. Pets with a robust history of jumping may need easy versions of the exercise to start.
Avoid reinforcing behaviour with negative attention. Pushing, talking to, scolding and other acts of purported discipline often don’t work because many dogs like these things. Instead, walk away from a dog when they jump for attention. It’s the opposite of what the dog is hoping to achieve.
Prevent any sabotages from happening. Ask people to interact with the dog only if the dog is firmly on the floor. If someone persists in undermining the training, choose to walk away with the dog. Don’t let anyone get in the way of your goal.
Finally, swing into training mode early and often. Do not wait until the dog is bouncing or squiggling before providing feedback. When your dog notices someone approaching, immediately start rewarding good behaviour, before the jumping starts.
Never take good behaviour for granted during training. Make a point of keeping an eye out for the good so you can encourage it further. Our dog has had issues with fear and has snapped at some people in the past. We have considered using a muzzle. Some people say that it may make the dog feel more defensive. Others say it shows to the public that my dog is aggressive. Is a muzzle a bad idea?
A muzzle, when needed, should be the sign of a responsible human on the other end of the leash. With that said, dogs need to learn to like wearing them. Muzzles are not an excuse to allow a dog to fester in a stressful scenario. Continue to focus on training to help the dog overcome issues.
When life potentially puts a dog into situations that are uncontrollable, err on the side of safety. Always supervise a dog when they are wearing one. Choose a basket style that allows the dog to pant and drink.
Yvette Van Veen is an animal behaviour consultant and Canada’s 1st Tested and Certified PCT-A. Write her at advice@awesomedogs.ca.