Doggone Etiquette —

The Jump-Off

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

Do you (or your VIPeople) have a problem with jumping? How about when you jump up on people, do they yell at you? Do you jump up to steal things, or just because you like bouncing around on your hind legs? I’ve got news for you. People — especially when they’re dressed to go out, or holding a mug of hot coffee — do not appreciate having a dog jumping up on them. That also goes for jumping onto the furniture, or into the laundry basket, or anywhere in the house. The rule for you is “keep four on the floor.” Stealing something you can’t reach when you are on all-fours, is theirs, not yours. The exception — and you’ll love this — is outdoors when you and your people are playing games like the one where you are supposed to jump up and catch the ball or flying saucer. Got it? Good catch!

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

Jumping is confusing to dogs and people, but how hard the concept must be on dogs. They can jump up, jump down, jump off, jump over or jump around. The biggest mistake pet owners (who have not been to obedience classes) make in trying to stop a dog from jumping up is the actual command word they use. Think of “jumping” and “off” in terms of a verbal definition. A “jump-off” is a beginning, or starting point. By keeping that in your head, it might be easier to remember to use the correct “Off” command when teaching a dog new to your home regardless of age.   

A verbal explosion only tells the dog you’re angry, but it doesn’t teach him anything. Stick with a one-word command, but be sure everyone uses the right one. If one person in the family shouts, “Off” and another yells, “Down” the dog is understandably confused. This is especially true if you’re trying to teach a young puppy not to jump up. “Off” is the correct word to use because ultimately, not immediately, but eventually the dog will understand that it means “get your paws OFF whatever they are ON” at that moment.    

The word “Down” is a totally different command that the dog will learn means “flat on the floor, kiddo.” Simply from those two examples, it’s easy to see why we use one-word commands. There are many dogs whose ego does not let them readily obey the “Down” command. It is a submissive position and lots of dogs consider it demeaning. (Lots of calm, quiet praise in training helps.) Arthritis might be an excuse for an old dog to slowly lower into a Down, but watch out for the con artists.                 

Another problem with jumping can occur in how you hand out treats. If you hold the treat up above the pup’s head, you are virtually encouraging the dog to jump up for it! For starters, have the dog SIT in order to earn his reward. Then only offer the treat with your arm at your side, and your hand going up to below his mouth. If you hold it up above his head, he’ll jump for it. Admittedly, this is a whopper to overcome with those Toy breeds! Work on getting a perfect Sit. Then every time you bend down to offer the treat below the dog’s mouth, chalk it up to your daily exercise!          

In a home with multiple dogs, jumping up can be a competitive sport. Teaching the dogs (preferably as pups) to sit side-by-side is not all that hard to do — IF — you withhold any treat until both maintain the position. Unless both dogs are sitting quietly, calmly beside each other, (practice! practice! practice!) keep your hands at your sides. They don’t earn a treat every time they happen to sit together for a split second. Rewards are for a perfect performance — or as close to perfect as most dogs will get.  

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.