‘Dogtor’ Adem Fehmi’s shares his top tips with us on how to train your dog to not jump up on your guests.
How to stop your dog from jumping up on your guests
Adem says you can stop your dog from jumping up on your guests when they knock on your front door. Why do dogs jump up on your guests? Because they get a huge reaction from us says Fehmi. Teach your dog to be calm when your doorbell rings. It’s easy to change your dog’s behaviour by changing their association with the sound of a knock or the doorbell.
Changing your dogs over-excitement when guests visit isn’t as difficult as you might think. Here’s how to hardwire your dog’s brains fast, says Adem.
Adem’s Quick Pro Tip # 1
To immediately change your dog’s association with a knock at your front door.
- When your doorbell rings throw a treat in the opposite direction
- Make sure you dog has noticed the treat first!
- Watch your dog head off in the opposite direction!
An association broken, now watch your dog behave differently.
Adem’s Quick Pro Tip # 2
To immediately change your dog’s association when the doorbell rings.
Teach your dog to sit when the doorbell rings. This is incompatible with jumping up. They can’t sit and jump up at the same time.
- Withhold all attention until all four feet are on the floor!
- Turn your back
- Only pet your dog when all four paws are on the floor.
- Rewarding calmness: When your dog remains calm and doesn’t jump up, reward them with treats or praise.
Consistent training is crucial for your dog to understand the desired behaviour. And remember, dogs learn at different paces, so be patient and understanding throughout the training process, says Adem.
