How to Train your Dog

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Bad Habits - How to Discourage Jumping on People

The dog that jumps up is really only giving an exuberant welcome, but it is a bad habit and likely to frighten nervous people, or injure children.

The first method for correcting this is for you to step quickly backwards to prevent the dog getting his claws on you when he jumps, and to say 'no' in a severe tone. If this works, give him his favourite toy, and restraining him from jumping with one hand on his shoulder, make a great fuss of him.

Please give this method a try on several occasions before adopting the second one.

The second method involves seeing that one of your knees is in the way of the dog when he jumps. This does not mean that you 'knee' the dog, but watch him as he comes up to you, and when he jumps just raise your knee so that he is bound to bump into it. This is quite easy with careful judgment, and the dog's mind, working on action and immediate result, will cause him to think that he is to blame for the knock. Getting no joy from this welcome he will soon give it away.