| Behavior Watch |
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Jumping up on people is a behavior that owners encourage in their animals pets. Jumping up and wagging is very adorable puppies. When that puppy grows up, watch out. It will even be harder on you if that puppy was a husky or a shepherd. No matter how miserable you may become when forced to train your puppy to stop pouncing, always keep the fact in your mind that 2 years from now, he may be taller than you standing up.
A large, heavy dog jumping up on people can be dangerous to young children and even to some adults, since a large, 100 pound dog can easily knock down a child or small adult. As the owner responsible for the behavior of your dog, it is important to nip this problem in the bud. The best time to do that, of course, is when the puppy is still small and easy to handle. When the puppy jumps up on you or someone else, gently place the puppy’s feet back on the floor. It is also important to give the puppy an alternative to jumping up. Puppies jump up on people to express their enthusiasm, so it is important to redirect this energy in a more socially acceptable direction. Try teaching the puppy to present his paw instead of jumping up. When teaching the puppy to not jump up on people, it is important to be consistent. Consistency is important in any training program, and all members of the family must understand that the puppy is not permitted to jump on them. Teach the puppy to learn to respect the collar and leash now when he is still small and light enough to handle. Doing this lesson to a 10 pound puppy will be much easier than teaching the same lesson to a 150-pound dog. The first thing your puppy must learn, and the basis of all, subsequent training, is teaching your dog to heel. Teaching your dog to walk quietly at your side on a loose lead is the basis of all dog training. Until your puppy has mastered this vital skill, he will be unable to move onto more advanced training. When walking with a puppy on a leash, it is important to always keep slack in the leash. If the puppy begins to pull on the leash, the handler should quickly change directions. The puppy will then find itself lagging behind instead of forging ahead. The leash will be loose except for the split second it takes to change directions. It is important for the handler to use a quick tug of the leash, followed by an immediate loosening, when teaching this lesson. Just remember to be consistent. While the dog is in training, you and any member of your family must conform to the rules of training. Else, your pet will think it’s a game. |
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