Your 10 kg puppy will soon be a 50 kg dog that knocks guests to the ground. Every time you pet him while his front paws are on your chest, you are teaching him that jumping is the way to get attention.
This habit leads to muddy clothes and scratched skin once the dog grows!
Stop talking and pushing him away with your hands. You will spend the next few weeks turning your back and crossing your arms every single time those paws leave the floor.
If you don’t set these rules now, you will struggle to hold him back in six months.
Why do puppies jump on people?
You will notice that jumping starts the moment you walk through the gate. The puppy isn’t trying to be rude; he is simply “too short” to reach you.
He wants to greet you “nose to nose” like he did with his mother in the litter.
5 Reasons Why Puppies Will Jump On Humans:
- Rewarding the jump – You might be teaching him that jumping is a way to get attention. If you pet him while his paws are on your legs, you are telling him that you like what he is doing.
- Excess energy – High-energy dogs often explode when you come home.
- Demanding attention – Paws on your skin mean “look at me.” Even if you push him away, he has won because you stopped what you were doing to handle him.
- Meeting strangers – You will see him jump more often when new people arrive.
- Reaching for a greeting – Your puppy wants to get his nose close to your face to say hello. Since he is small and you are tall, he springs up to reach your chin.
Stop the Puppy From Jumping Over the Gate
A young dog that learns to hook its paws over the top will quickly find a way to scramble over and end up on the street. We are dealing with this “problem” right now because one of our puppies learned to jump over the fence while he was small.
Since he has already been over, he now knows the way out, and the yard is no longer a secure place for him.
Here are a few tips …
1. Raise the Fence and Gate High Enough
Add trellis panels or wire mesh to the top of the existing gate to increase its height. Keep the top edge well above the puppy’s reach so he cannot hook his front paws over it.
Without a solid hold to pull his weight up, the dog stays on the ground.
Additional option – Attach plexiglass or plastic sheets to the top of the gate to prevent any grip for the puppy’s claws.
2. Use the Crate or Box
Put the puppy in his crate or move the young dog to his box the moment the jumping starts. This takes him away from the gate and ends the “game” of trying to escape.
Wait until the dog settles down and stops barking or scratching at the wire before letting him out.
This teaches him that jumping leads to a boring timeout in the box, while staying calm earns him the right to run free in the yard.
3. Block the Run-Up with Obstacles
Place large planters, heavy benches, or low shrubs along the fence line to break the puppy’s path.
The dog needs a clear, straight run-up to gain the speed for a high jump.
Move any crates, firewood piles, or trash cans away from the fence so the dog cannot use them as a “stepping stone” to reach the top.
Keep Puppies Off Your Bed and Furniture?
Place a dog bed or a thick rug on the floor in the room.
When the puppy heads for the sofa, use a command to send the dog back to his place.
To keep the furniture safe when the room is empty, close the doors or use a tall playpen to block access. This prevents the puppy from turning the couch into a playground while no one is there to stop it.
Reward the young dog only when all four paws stay on the rug. Over time, the puppy will stop viewing the sofa as “an option” and will choose the floor as the only place to settle down.
Conclusion
Never hit, or yell at puppies for jumping up. This only teaches them to fear your hand, which often leads to aggression.
Spend time on training and meeting other people and dogs instead of using punishment.
To stop the jumping, turn your back and walk away the moment paws leave the floor, or step on the leash to prevent the leap. Teach the “Sit” command for all greetings and scatter treats on the ground to keep the puppy’s head down when people enter.
When you work with the dog so he knows the rules, you get a well-balanced dog.
Thank you for reading. I would like to hear your opinion in the comments below.
