Belladonna is a sweet puppy who is also a lucky little thing.  You see, she was found, just a wee thing, abandoned on the side of the road.  A very dear woman stopped her car and scooped up this darling, bringing her straight to her vet.  Great vet ~ he examined her and noted that she had a non-contagious form of mange, easily treatable.  The woman bought all the necessary meds and then asked if we could take in Belladonna.  Well, how do you say no to someone who has gone so far above and beyond the call of duty?  And how could we say no to this sweet little puppy?  So now we have Belladonna.  Her mange is all cleared up and she is as pretty as a picture and sweet as a peach!

Training A Jumping Dog

We believe that the best dog is a trained dog.  There are many resources available to help  owners, many listed on our website (Ask The Dog Trainer and Resources For Pet Owners webpages).  And don't forget the web.  According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, unless given a command to jump, a dog should never be allowed to jump on humans. A dog who jumps on a human at his own free will is a dog who does not respect the person he is jumping on. Even those cute little toy dogs should not be allowed to jump on people. While you, the owner, may think it is cute, it is not cute to everyone else. Not only is it annoying to most people to have someone else's dog jump on them, it can also be dangerous. A jumping dog can knock people over and muddy their clothes, put runners in nylons and scratch.

When a dog jumps on a human at their own free will they are not "greeting" the human, they are asserting their dominance on them. It is the dog communicating that he is alpha and or wishes to own or control the human. A subordinate would never dream of running over and jumping on the alpha dog of the pack. Space is respect and lower remembers of the pack respect the higher members. If your dog jumps on humans he does not respect them. 

Dogs like and need consistency, so if you are not allowing your dog to jump on you, everyone in the family and everyone who greets the dog must do the same. You, as an owner, must make sure this happens. It will only confuse a dog if you allow him to jump on some people who say they do not mind, and tell him not to jump on others. Once you decide you do not wish your dog to jump on people you must apply this to everyone at all times unless you give the dog a command to jump. A dog should never jump on a human at his own free will.

To a dog, space and balance is very important. If you take a step backwards or lean out of a jumping dogs way, the dog will continue to jump. To a dog, space means a lot and the dog will be gaining space. When a dog jumps, step into "your space". Picture a sphere around you. A sphere of your space and you are not going to allow anyone or anything to come into your space. When the dog jumps, step into it sideways with your body, shoulder towards the dog. Don't face the dog head on. You are not trying to knock the dog down, you are simply calmly filling up your space with your body, and in return, setting the dog off balance, which is an uncomfortable feeling for a dog. Lean slightly forward, not backward. Never lean backwards, as you will be giving the dog that space. Casually and calmly, keep filling your space, not allowing room for the dog to come in. Remember, your goal is not to knock the dog down or walk into the dog, it's just to fill your space. You may end up bumping into the dog in doing so, however, do not make that your goal, keep the goal on protecting your space.

You can do this with any dog who jumps on you, take a sideways step forward just as the dog starts to jump, filling the space the dog was about to take up. This will throw off the dogs balance and at the same time, claim your space. You will earn respect from the dog and soon, the dog will learn it is no fun to jump on you.