Do you have a puppy that jumps on you, company and even your Grandma who has a walker? This can be a very irritating trait for your dog to develop. Unfortunately, it can make people dread coming to your home. No one wants to try to have a conversation with a fluffy fur ball trying to jump on them or sit on their lap.
There are many dogs which are just too friendly. They never meet a stranger, and they would even roll the red carpet out and lavish love on the most grouchy individual. While no one wants to discourage friendliness in a puppy, they do need to learn social manners.
Have you ever known a person who you try to avoid? When you see this person coming do you do everything within your power to ensure you aren't held up by their endless chatting? There are some dogs who people simply want to avoid, too. If one of these overly friendly guys is in your home, you should teach them self-control. This can be done through consistent training.
Sometimes this sort of problem arises because a puppy thinks he is in charge of the home. He thinks he is "Lord of the Manor" and everyone should be pleased to have him on their laps! Dogs usually develop this attitude when they do not feel that a leader has been clearly defined in the home. These canines are more than happy to step into the role as the alpha male and do things at their whim and fancy.
The most important thing you can do when you bring your puppy home is to send him the signal that you are the leader of his pack. One of the first steps to achieving this is to have your pet rely on you for his food. You should never leave a full bowl of food out for your puppy to munch on at his leisure. By having you be the one which meets his hunger needs, he will quickly learn to respect you. You should have a set routine when you feed your dog throughout the day. Any food that is left after 20 minutes should be put away until the next feeding.
Dogs can also get confused and think they are the king of the house when they are the first ones greeted by a member of the family after an absence. You should make a point to greet all members of your household before you acknowledge your puppy. If you live alone, you can go to your room, change clothes or get a drink before you settle down and greet your puppy. Many owners only intensify a bad jumping habit when they greet their puppy exuberantly when they come through the door each day.
It is very important that you start teaching your puppy what "down" means the moment they start a habit of jumping. This is not a very hard technique to teach your puppy--if you practice it ever time they jump. The best thing to do during this phase is to let your pup jump on you. When he does and bounces back to the floor say "down." But, don't say this while he is jumping. You have to wait until all four feet of his feet are firmly on the floor. You should also use this word each and every time he is caught reclining on the furniture and you have to put him on the floor.
Once your dog seems to have an understanding of what down means, you should never allow him to jump on you again. Each time your puppy starts to jump on you, turn away immediately. Your pooch will miss his mark and hit the floor. Don't make a fuss. Simply turn your back and step out of his way. Once your pup is back down on the floor, you can reach down, pet him, and say "down." Your pup may not take to this at first. He may continue to jump repeatedly until he reaches his target . . . you. Every time he jumps up to you, simply step away and turn your back. Never greet your puppy until he is completely down on the floor. Your puppy will soon learn what down means, and he will also learn that he will not get attention from you if he is jumping. While this can easily turn into a match of wills, it is important that your dog understands that you are the leader of his pack!
An option to teach your puppy that jumping on guests is unacceptable is to have him on a leash. Have a leash by your door and if a guest arrives, put him on the leash before you open the door. If your pup stands up on his back legs and tries to greet the guest, pull him gently to the floor and say "down." You should advise your guests to ignore your puppy until he is on the floor. When your puppy starts to stay on the floor when guests arrive, have dog treats by the door to reward him with. Each and every time he does not jump up to greet a guest, praise him for staying down and give him a dog treat.
Dogs are very intelligent animals. They learn rather quickly. They can learn to obey and blend into the family, or they can learn to run wild and be a general nuisance to everyone. The choice is up to the owner. It is best to start training your puppy from day one. While many commands cannot be learned right away, you should always let your puppy know that you are the leader of his pack and that you will take care of him. In return, you expect to be obeyed and respected.
You may find that some dogs take to learning their social skills easier than others. You should never give up if you have a pooch who is a slow learner. Once it mentally clicks with your puppy what you are expecting from him, he will usually happily oblige. Puppies thrive under consistent training, routine, and praise. Once he discoveries that you will pile on the praise and adoration, he will gladly keep his feet on the floor and greet you and your guests from a comfortable distance.
Some dog owners may have trouble mastering the proper tone and techniques which are needed to command their dogs respect. If you are finding it hard to train your puppy, you may want to consider taking your canine to an obedience class where the pair of you can benefit from the instruction. You can check the local newspapers or go on the Internet to find the next available class in your area.
Your puppy will be with you for the rest of his life. You owe it to you and your guests (and even your dog!) to teach him how to interact and get along socially with humans.
Author Ian White is founder of Dog-Breeders.biz. This extensive online directory includes listings by private breeders, kennel clubs, and occasional hobby or family breeders. Those seeking dogs can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Dog-Breeders.biz automates the matching of dogs for sale with dog wanted entries, with daily email notifications to all parties. Dog lovers and breeders can find more information on the website at: http://www.dog-breeders.biz
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