Jumping up on people is a common problem behavior in dogs, but it can be trained out with patience and consistency. Here are some free training tips for teaching your dog to stop jumping up on people:
1. Use positive reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train your dog. Use treats and praise to reward your dog when they behave appropriately, such as keeping all four paws on the ground.
2. Ignore the behavior: One way to discourage jumping up is to ignore the behavior. When your dog jumps up, turn away from them and avoid eye contact. Once they have all four paws on the ground, reward them with praise and treats.
3. Teach an alternative behavior: Teach your dog an alternative behavior that they can do instead of jumping up. For example, teach them to sit or lie down when greeting people.
4. Practice with friends and family: Enlist the help of friends and family to practice the behavior. Have them come over and practice greeting your dog. Reward your dog when they greet people calmly and without jumping up.
5. Use a leash: Use a leash to help control your dog when greeting people. This can help prevent them from jumping up and can also help you guide them into the desired behavior.
6. Be consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to training your dog. Be consistent with your commands and reward system, and avoid rewarding jumping up behavior.
7. Avoid punishment: Avoid punishing your dog for jumping up. Punishment can make the behavior worse and damage your relationship with your dog.
8. Practice in different situations: Practice the behavior in different situations, such as when you’re out on a walk or visiting a new place. This can help your dog generalize the behavior and apply it in different contexts.
Overall, teaching your dog to stop jumping up on people is an important part of training and can be done for free with the right techniques. Use positive reinforcement, ignore the behavior, teach an alternative behavior, practice with friends and family, use a leash, be consistent, avoid punishment, and practice in different situations, and you’ll soon have a well-trained pup who greets people politely.