One of the most cited problems with dogs is that of jumping up on people. This is one of those behaviours that is often encouraged by well-meaning owners. It might be cute and adorable when that little 10 pound (4.54 kg) puppy jumps up on you, your family members and your friends.
Many people reward this behaviour for a small puppy with kisses and treats. This is a huge mistake. That cute little puppy may soon become a full-grown dog who could weigh well more than 100 pounds (ca. 45 kg). That cute jumping behaviour is no longer quite so cute.
Jumping up on people can be dangerous as well. A large, heavy dog, jumping, can knock over a child or an older or handicapped adult. Such an incident could make you, as the dog’s owner, the subject of an unwanted lawsuit.
The time to teach a dog that jumping up on people is unacceptable is when he is still young and easy to handle. Retraining a dog that jumps up on people can be difficult for the owner, and confusing for the dog.
When the puppy tries to jump on you or another member of your family, be firm but gentle when you place the puppy’s feet back on the floor. After the puppy is standing on the floor, be sure to reward and praise him. It is important that everyone, both family and visiting friends, understand this rule and follow it.
Don’t confuse your dog, if one member of the family reprimands the dog for jumping and another praises him. As with other dog training issues, consistency is key. You must teach the dog that jumping is always inappropriate.
When praising and rewarding the dog for staying down, it is essential for the trainer to get down on the dog’s level. Giving affection and praise at eye level with the puppy is a great way to reinforce the lesson.
Pulling on the leash is another problem trait that many puppies pick up. This behaviour is also one that is sometimes encouraged by well-meaning owners. Be careful playing games like tug of war with the leash, or even with a rope (that can look like the leash to the dog). This can encourage a problem behavior.
Use a quality body harness when training a puppy not to pull. It is also best for retraining a dog that has picked up the habit of pulling on the leash. Try training the puppy to accept the body harness the same way it accepts the regular buckle collar.
When walking with your dog, try using a lure or toy to encourage the dog to remain at your side. Proper use of a training collar, can also be a good training tool for a problem dog. When using a training collar, proper fit is critical. Use a size that is neither too big nor too small for your dog.
When walking with your puppy, it is important to keep the leash loose at all times. If the puppy begins to pull ahead, the handler should change directions. The puppy will fast finds itself falling behind. It is essential to reverse directions before the puppy has reached the end of the leash. The leash should stay loose except for the split second it takes the handler to reverse direction. Use a quick tug, followed by an immediate slackening of the leash.
When training a puppy, never let the puppy pull you around. Training the puppy the proper way to walk while he or she is still small enough to handle is vital. Especially when dealing with a large breed of dog.
Do not to yank or pull on the puppy’s neck when correcting him. A gentle, steady pressure will work much better than a hard yank. The best strategy is to use the least amount of pressure possible to achieve the desired result.
Cooperslane Cocoa 
Leave a Reply