Training Tip of the Month

DECEMBER 2012

As the holidays approach it is a good idea to work on house and greeting manners.  Whether you have visitors to your family home or are visiting other this holiday season, manners are important to ensure a positive interaction.  One of the most common issues with social interactions is jumping up.  This is a common problem for most dogs who have no training, are young, have lots of energy or for dogs who have been reinforced for the behavior.

It is important to be consistent with jumping behaviors, so... As of now, NO jumping on people (or counters, or tables).  

DO NOT reinforce the behavior any longer if you have been.  This one is tricky, because when a dog jumps up it is our natural reaction to tell them "no" and push them off of us.   However, negative attention is still attention, so dogs see this as reinforcement for jumping instead of punishment.  Think of it this way, if the dogs intention is to get your attention, even yelling and pushing a dog is attention so the dog is getting exactly what they wanted!!!

DO teach your dog an alternate behavior such as sit or down to be petted.  Reinforce with treats, praise and petting (remember the petting and praise is usually what they are seeking when they jump up) and do all you can to ignore jumping up behaviors.  If your dog is particularly bad with jumping on others, try putting them on a leash and use treats to lure a sit while the guest approaches.  Use a calm "off" and encourage positive behavior by making sure to notice calm, polite greetings or sit as a "please" for attention.   

Tip of the month provided by Jeanette Stewart, owner of Practical Dog Solutions, 

providing behavior training solutions and education in Baker County Oregon.  Jeanette is also the lead trainer of the Powder Pals Program.

Visit www.PracticalDogSolutions.com for more information.