Training Advice

Many dogs jump on people, and this is a common training problem we see. It is particularly common in puppies, as well as insecure dogs.

There are two main reasons why dogs jump up, and so there are two basic appoaches to take when addressing this problem.

Insecure Dogs

Dogs may jump up because they are insecure, or seeking reassurance from their person. If your dog often pins their ears back, jump on you when strangers are around, or jumps up on new people, this may be the motivation for their behaviour. A dog who jumps up because they're unsure is seeking information about the person they're jumping on. They might jump up to smell them, see how the person reacts, or even take note of how you react.

If your dog is a little afraid or unsure about meeting new people, and jumps up on them to seek information, it is important to show them a better way to get this information. This might include: asking strangers not to interact with your dog; asking your dog to offer a behaviour, like Sit, before allowing strangers to interact with her (and allowing your dog to 'opt out' by not sitting!); or even teaching an Emergency U-Turn so your dog can choose to walk away.

Do not correct an insecure dog for jumping up on someone. This can lead them to take more extreme measures, like growling or nipping to get the person to move away.

Excited Dogs

Other dogs enjoy jumping up on people because they are excited to greet them! If your dog is very social, it's likely they find it fun and reinforcing to jump up on people.

Many puppies are reinforced for jumping up because they're cute and cuddly. However, this behaviour quickly becomes unwanted as they grow bigger.

If you have a puppy, try to reinforce appropriate greeting behaviours while they're young. For example, allow them to greet people when they're calm and have 'Four on the Floor' (all four paws on the ground). Don't be afraid to ask strangers to wait for your puppy to be calm before saying hello!

The same rules apply for older dogs who jump up, though it may take longer for them to get the picture if they have a history of jumping up. When around strangers or guests, manage your dog's behaviour by keeping them on lead. Reward them for 'Four on the Floor' by allowing them to greet people. If you see that they are about to jump up, call them back to you and practice some other behaviours like Sit, Touch or Drop until they calm down.

Make sure that everyone in the household understands the rules about jumping up, so your dog isn't being secretly rewarded for it by someone! With consistency and lots of rewards for not jumping, your dog will learn the new behaviour that works to get the attention they want

It can be challenging to teach your dog to walk nicely on the lead, especially around distractions!

We have many methods to help you teach your dog that pulling on the lead will not get them where they want to go. On the other hand, walking closer to you, without tension on the lead, results in wondrous, amazing things!

We are happy to teach you methods to encourage loose-lead walking in your dog without the need for painful corrections. A starting point might be walking your dog in open areas on a longer lead (not retractable, to avoid risk of rope burn injuries). Switch to a shorter lead once your dog has got out some of the initial energy of the walk. This allows them to get the mental and physical exercise they need, before practising walking close by you.

We can also teach you approaches like the Stop-Start method and Circle Walking.

Equipment

We recommend that all dogs who are learning not to pull on the lead are taught using equipment that does not cause pain or fear to the dog. Collars can cause harm to the sensitive neck area, so we usually recommend teaching loose lead walking in a harness first. You can transfer these skills to a collar if desired.

For safety reasons, some people may choose to walk large or strong dogs using a head halter. We encourage you to appropriately condition this so that the dog does not find it uncomfortable. Let us know if you would like advice on how to do this.

Many dogs exhibit signs of stress when separated from their owners or another dog,and may display certain behaviours to help them cope with the stress of separation. These dogs may bark, whine or howl excessively, may be destructive, may soil inside the house, or try to escape.

These behaviours often occur just after the owner has left home and may continue for extended periods.

If your dog cannot be soothed, becomes physically distressed, drools excessively, destroys furniture and walls, or other extreme behaviours, it is possible they are suffering from separation anxiety.

Dogs which suffer separation anxiety may be demanding of, or reliant on, their owners' attention when the owners are home. Distress may also arise after sudden changes in the dog's life such as moving homes, a family member departing, or a new baby arriving. Dogs which have been adopted as strays or from a shelter may be more likely to develop this problem. This is because they do not feel secure in their environment.

It is important to note that dogs suffering true separation anxiety are experiencing a medical problem. They are exhibiting symptoms of a panic disorder, which cannot be treated by training alone. It is essential that these dogs receive medical treatment from an experienced professional.

More information:

What is Dog Separation Anxiety?

How to help a dog with Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety: RSPCA Vic

It is also true that some dogs are, in fact, suffering from 'separation joy'! Behaviours like getting into the rubbish bin and chasing the cat, which occur when the owner is away, may not be a reflection of separation anxiety.

The following tips may help healthy dogs to adjust to new routines and environments.

• Changes to the dog's routine should be introduced gradually. This may include reducing the amount and type of attention the dog is receiving to help it adjust to a new routine brought about by a change in your lifestyle.
• If you're expecting a child, there are many helpful resources to help your dog adjust. How to Tell Your Dog You're Pregnant by Dr Lewis Kirkham is a good starting point.
• If the dog is placed in a new environment, old routines should be retained and the dog provided with familiar objects, such as its bowl, bed and toys.

Reducing Stress when Leaving Home:

• When you are at home, the dog should have varying periods of time separated from you, e.g. train the dog to sit on a mat in a different part of the room, leave the dog in another room, or put the dog outside when you are inside, or vice versa.
• To enable a dog to become used to periods of separation, leave the home and return a short time later. Gradually increase the length of these separation periods.
• It is helpful to make a predictable routine for periods of separation, as this helps your dog learn that you will be out for a few hours but will return. Routines could include: exercise before you leave; leaving your puppy when they are tired, in an area suitable for rest; providing a calming activity, like a chew, before leaving; or providing a meal as you leave.
• The dog should be given a calm greeting when you return home, to establish connection but avoid exitement.
• It is no longer recommended to ignore your dog when you return home, as this can create confusion and insecurity in your dog.

General Advice:

• The dog should be provided with a comfortable, quiet and darkened area (inside or outside) to rest in. It should not be confined suddenly to an area it is unfamiliar with when left on its own.
• Remember that most dog breeds have been bred to sleep with their family for many generations. It is natural that they want to be with you during rest.
• If expected to sleep alone, the dog should be provided with chew toys and familiar objects such as an old article of your clothing and a radio left playing quietly.
• A crate or playpen makes a great safe sleeping place in the bedroom for puppies while toilet training.
• Obtaining a second dog does not usually assist with separation distress. The first dog is usually anxious about being separated from its person, not other dogs. Many dogs with separation anxiety are perfectly happy if left with a relative or neighbour. Consider seeking out an older relative or student who is home during the day.