Don\u2019t worry, jumping up can be solved, and won\u2019t be a lifelong problem, have a read through as we think we\u2019ve covered all there is to know about jumpy pups! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Puppies just love attention and will work hard to get it, they jump up to say hello, as a greeting behavior – our hands and faces are super important for giving a puppy attention, they are also a lot higher than your puppy, so pups jump up to get nearer to the source of all that lovely fuss. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Excitement means arousal, most puppies just simply can\u2019t help themselves and jump up to say \u2018Hello\u2019. Imagine how excited they are when you walk through the door, your puppy will likely throw themself at you in a blur of jumpy excitement… no they don\u2019t care that you\u2019re wearing new trousers or they laddered your tights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you ever noticed your puppy jump up at you for apparently no reason whatsoever? If your puppy is startled, scared or anxious about something, they may jump up for reassurance, to let you know they\u2019re not happy. The physical contact from jumping up helps them to feel better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This kind of jumping up can often be seen with other types of climbing behavior and anxious body language such as wide eyes, tail tucked under, a scrunched up body, or their ears pinned back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A puppy jumping up is often a \u2018dont hurt me, I\u2019m only small\u2019 appeasement behavior, also called an appeasement gesture or signal. People who push puppies off when they do this will likely see an increase in the jumping up as the puppy does it more to really push the point home, that they\u2019re frightened, or are no threat to you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You will notice puppies do this often when they meet other dogs, they are so thrilled at seeing a new friend, they just can\u2019t help themselves. Some dogs will tolerate it and are happy, but some won\u2019t and might tell your puppy off or become aggressive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching your puppy not to jump up, is not only good for your puppy, it\u2019s also good for you and others around you. It may be cute when they barely reach your knees but it’s less cute when they reach 30kg and knock Granny off her feet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are just a few reasons why it\u2019s not good to let your puppy jump up: Teaching your puppy not to jump up is important, not just for your pup but for other people’s safety. On a serious note, in countries such as the UK the Dangerous Dogs Act<\/a> (no it doesn\u2019t just apply to larger breeds) could be breached if your dog is out of control in a public or private place, it\u2019s a serious thing and can land you and your puppy in trouble if a complaint about their behavior is made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching your puppy to not jump up can be done in 3 steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first step in getting your puppy not to jump up on people is preventing it happening in the first place – this can be done in a couple of ways<\/p>\n\n\n\n When visitors come to the house, your puppy will likely be excited to see them, and as jumping up is a natural canine greeting behavior, will probably want to jump up \u2018to say hi\u2019. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of allowing them to do this you can<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your puppy jumping up at strangers in the park? Do they give your puppy attention when they do this? Sounds about right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To prevent this happening do the following<\/p>\n\n\n\n Management and prevention are the easiest ways to prevent jumping up occuring in the first place, you\u2019re the one in control and the more you prevent the jumping up happening, the less your puppy can practice it – what they practice they get good at, good stuff AND bad stuff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n So let\u2019s think about \u2018what behavior would I like to see from my puppy INSTEAD of them jumping\u2019? <\/p>\n\n\n\n This behavior should be what we call an incompatible behavior i.e when your puppy is doing this thing they can\u2019t do the other jumping up thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Examples of this would be: <\/p>\n\n\n\n So now you have to train it – you\u2019ll find examples of how to train these behaviors in the Zigzag puppy training app, you\u2019ll need treats and some patience in teaching your puppy how to do this, as well as time to practice, many, many times, \u2018til they have it down pat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After your puppy has learned these behaviors you transfer onto getting them to do them for that most loved thing for puppies – attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need to practice these exercises in lots of situations and environments so that your puppy learns to generalise, so that it becomes a default behavior for them getting attention from someone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s an easy exercise to start you off<\/p>\n\n\n\n How to do it<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro tips<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If your puppy has history here and jumping up has become a bit of a bad habit, you\u2019ll want to know what to do to fix it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t use physical corrections \u2013 these are old fashioned methods and can often make the jumping up WORSE not better. Any training method that causes fear, anxiety or pain is not appropriate and is completely unnecessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your puppy jumps up on a stranger or visitor – immediately call them back and get them to do something else, don\u2019t let them carry on even if the well-meaning person says \u2018I don\u2019t mind\u2019 (more on that later) the next person likely WILL mind, and can get your puppy into all kinds of trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the puppy jumps up on you – turn your back and walk off, then give them a chance to get things right, ask for a sit and reward that with loving strokes and attention. It\u2019s also useful to get down a bit lower to the floor, so that jumping up at you is not so tempting for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Go back to prevention and management if jumping up is a problem. You can also contact one of the Zigzag Puppy Training Experts who can help you find out where things might be going wrong, and help you reduce your puppy\u2019s jumping up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Shouting, yelling, pushing or kneeing your puppy will not help with jumping up. Remember, your puppy wants your attention, so resorting to these kinds of methods still gives them that attention and some will think it\u2019s a game. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s tempting to stroke a tiny puppy when they jump up to paw at your legs, but it\u2019s much better long term if you ignore this behavior, and reward them with attention and praise when they behave appropriately. Puppies grow up fast, a small puppy very quickly becomes a big loveable dog that you probably won\u2019t want clawing at your legs! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Manage the environment and prevent it happening in the first place. This will be key to the jumping up training! Prevention means the behavior won\u2019t be repeated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, we all have that well-meaning friend who ALWAYS lets your puppy jump on them, be clear that you\u2019re training the puppy not to jump and they mustn\u2019t allow it either. If necessary, keep your puppy on a lead around these people. If your puppy gets what they want SOMETIMES they will keep trying it with other people. Variable reinforcement is a very powerful thing – think about gamblers, that one time the fruit machine pays out and they get that winning rush means they keep on playing and lose more than they\u2019ve ever won – it\u2019s the same with the way dogs learn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope you have enjoyed this article and now understand that jumping up is a normal but largely unwanted behavior that is easy to prevent and correct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more information on reducing jumping up, as well as many other problem behaviors, why not download our puppy training app? You\u2019ll also get access to a team of qualified and experienced Puppy Training Experts, to help you with any of the struggles you have, they\u2019ve heard it all, and will be able to help! <\/p>\n\n\n\n By the way, is your puppy a barker? We have a great article on puppy barking and how to stop it too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"dog](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/vadim-kaipov-0_ogoXVd-DA-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Why do puppies jump up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Attention! Attention! <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Excitement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your puppy is anxious or needs reassurance <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s an appeasement behavior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Because it\u2019s normal – when seeing other dogs.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Why is it important to teach your puppy to stop jumping up?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"dog](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/ryan-walton-AbNO2iejoXA-unsplash-683x1024.jpg\")
How to stop puppy jumping up in 3 easy steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Managing the environment at home<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Managing your puppy when out and about <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Keeping four paws on the floor (not jumping up)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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What to avoid when training your puppy not to jump up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t tell your puppy off <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t offer attention\/rewards when puppy jumps up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t put your puppy in situations where you know jumping up will occur<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t let others undo your training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"golden](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/berkay-gumustekin-ngqyo2AYYnE-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")