Make Your Dog Smile

Jumping

Dogs jump up to say hello, quite simply. They don’t know how humans prefer to be greeted, and it never occurs to them that they might knock us over or ruin our clothes. Thankfully, consistent anti-jump training can quickly solve the problem for good.

Anti-jump training when you arrive home

Open the door a teeny bit. If your dog jumps up, close the door.
Open the door a teeny bit. If your dog jumps up, close the door.
If he jumps on you, turn away. If he keeps jumping, go back outside and start again.
Whenever your dog keeps four paws on the floor, praise and pet him.

Anti-jump training inside your house

When your dog jumps on you, turn your back to him. Say, “Too bad” as you turn away.
When he stops jumping, turn around to face him. If he jumps again, turn your back to him again.
Repeat until he stops jumping. Then pet and praise him.
If your dog keeps jumping up when you turn your back, walk away from him, ignoring him completely. If he follows and jumps again, give him a time-out. Either close a door between you or put him in his confinement area for a minute or two. (The point is not that he is being bad, but that you won’t play when he jumps.)

Anti-jump training when visitors come to your house

When someone comes to the house, put your dog on a leash before you open the door.
Open the door and invite the visitor in. If your dog jumps up, tell him, “Too bad” and walk him away from the visitor. Once he calms down, let him try again.
Leave the leash on your dog during the visit. You don’t have to hold it the entire time, but if at any point during the visit your dog jumps up on your visitor, grab the leash, tell your dog, “Too bad” and walk him away.
Remember to praise and reward him with pets and attention when he keeps four paws on the floor.

Anti-jump training when you meet people on the street

If your dog jumps up on someone approaching you on the street, tell him, “Too bad” and walk a few feet away. When he settles, try again-if the person is willing.
Once your dog can keep four paws on the floor in the above situations (and you have trained sit), begin to ask for a sit before he says hello. With time and practice, your dog will automatically sit when he wants to greet people.

Training Tip: The key to anti-jump training is consistency. You can end jump-up greetings for good if you turn away every time.

Troubleshooting: IBe patient. It might get worse before it gets better. If your dog has used jumping as his main way to say hello, it will take a little while for him to learn new ways.

Crate Training

Why crate train your dog?

Because a crate is a terrific training and management tool. It is useful for house-training, brief alone-time, settling, and any form of travel. Most importantly, a crate teaches your dog to hold it when he has to go to the bathroom. A crate helps your dogs in many ways-and saves your carpets.

Is using a crate cruel?

Absolutely not. A crate can be your dog’s favourite place in the world. Use treats, praise, and toys to make your dog love his crate.

Just remember never to use the crate for more than 3-4 hours at a time, except for bedtime.

Getting your dog used to the crate

Step 1. Begin crate training right away-preferably the first day your dog is in your home.

Step 2.Throw small tasty treats into the crate one at a time. Praise your dog when he goes in to get the treat.

Step 3. When your dog is comfortable going into the crate, practice closing the door for 1-2 seconds, then treat him through the door. Let him back out. Repeat this step many times, gradually building to 10 seconds.

Step 4. Stuff a Kong with something very yummy or use a special bone that will take a lot of time to chew. Put the treats in the crate. Shut the door. Move about the house normally. Let your dog back out after 5 minutes or when he finishes his treat. Don’t make a fuss over him. Repeat this step several times, varying the length of your absences from 1 to 20 minutes.

Step 5. Next, leave your dog in the crate with something delicious while you leave the house for short errands, like getting the mail or watering the garden. Gradually build your absences.

Training Tip: When you plan to crate your dog for longer than an hour, make sure he is well exercised and ready for a nap.

Troubleshooting: If your dog is going to the bathroom in his crate, remove any bedding and make sure he has been to toilet before you put him in the crate, and that he is not being left for too long. Make sure you are following the rules for good toilet training. If all else fails, contact us.