If you want to learn how to stop a dog jumping up when walking, then this is the most important page you’re ever going to read.
Now, the good news is that there are several things you can try to improve your dog’s discipline in this situation. Better still, if you apply the techniques I’m about to share with you a little further down the page, it won’t actually cause you much hassle.
I speak from personal experience when I say that I know how frustrating it can be when your dog continually jumps whenever you’re out for a walk.
And if it’s particularly sloppy underfoot, there’s nothing worse than your dog jumping and clinging onto your clean jeans with his muddy paws!
Worse still, it can become especially worrying when it’s uncontrollable. And even more distressing if they slip the leash and run out into a busy road.
In addition to this, it can also make the shortest walks feel like an eternity as you’re constantly having to stop and refocus your dog every couple of minutes before continuing on your journey.
Anyway…
Like many dog owners, I know you just want the best for your dog. And if you’re reading this page, then I can only assume you’re sitting at home scratching your head, wondering how to stop your dog’s obsessive jumping habit each and every time you go out for a walk.
So in today’s blog post, I not only want to help you understand why your dog might be jumping up. But also provide you with a few simple tools and techniques you can start using immediately to get your dog to permanently change their behavior.
But before we do, just a quick heads up…
If you want to get the situation under control in the quickest, most effective way possible. Then I’d highly recommend checking out The Easy Way To An Obedient Dog from Dan Abdelnoor over at The Online Dog Trainer. (see video below)
It’s an easy-to-follow, tried-and-tested training free training course to help dramatically improve your dog’s behavior without spending thousands of dollars on outdated, ineffective training techniques.
Here’s the video link to take a sneak peek: The Easy Way To An Obedient Dog
(video will open in a new window)
Why do dogs jump while walking?
As I’ve mentioned, it can be frustrating when your dog keeps jumping up every time they’re on the leash.
But why exactly do they do it?
Although you might not see other dogs jumping up relentlessly when you’re out and about. It’s actually really common for dogs to jump up at their owners, and it can be for several reasons.
More often than not, it’s just out of excitement that they’re finally able to get outside and explore!
However, other times, it’s because they want your attention or something from you.
So let’s take a more detailed look at the most common reasons why your dog jumps up while he’s out for a walk.
They’re Overexcited
Perhaps the most common reason why your dog jumps up at you while walking is that they’re overexcited. If your dog is generally jumpy when they greet you, or if they jump up at you just before dinner time, it’s likely just a continuation of this behavior.
Going out for walks is exciting for most dogs, so it might just be a way of him showing just how pleased he is to be out!
They Want Your Attention
Dogs know that the best way to get your attention is to either jumping or barking. The simple reason being that it’s the simplest way to immediately attract your attention and force you into action.
If you haven’t actively discouraged their attention-seeking behavior in the past, chances are they won’t stop anytime soon.
So it’s inevitable they’ll continue to do it as they know it helps them quickly get what they want.
They Want To Play
Some dogs jump up at you to show that they’re ready to play. See, dogs are naturally energetic creatures (at least most are anyway).
And for the vast majority, a walk is a highlight of their day. So it’s only natural that they’ll want to make the most of their time outdoors.
So keep in mind that if your dog stops and jumps up at you, another dog, or anyone else for that matter. They might just be telling you they want to play.
So try and give your dog a little freedom and if you’re comfortable with your dog being off-leash, let them have free roam of the park for a while so they can burn off any excess energy.
They’re scared or anxious
It’s not uncommon in certain situations for jumping up can be a defense mechanism for dogs. Sometimes loud noises or having too many other dogs or people around can cause them to become fearful or anxious.
While some dogs just retreat into their shells when this happens, others jump up to look for your protection.
Keep in mind that if your dog is anxious or scared, their jump might be accompanied by a grumble or a bark.
Possessiveness
Being pack animals, some dogs think that they’re in charge, which in turn can cause them to be particularly possessive and territorial.
For instance, when you’re out for a walk, they might see other dogs as a threat to their pack (this being you), so they may react by jumping up at you to demonstrate they’re protecting you.
If this is the case, they might also jump up when other humans approach, so just be aware of any potential jumping when you get close to others.
They Can’t Shake The Habit
Puppies jump up at their owners as a way of showing their love and affection. And while you’re potentially setting yourself up for trouble further down the line. It can often be challenging to steer them in the right direction if you allow them to continue doing so.
I mean, let’s face it, who doesn’t like the idea of a cute puppy jumping up to greet you after some time apart.
But even though it makes both you and your puppy happy, chances are they’ll continue this behavior into adulthood.
They want to get off the leash
It’s not uncommon for some dogs to get a little frustrated when they’re on the leash. As some will just see it as an unnecessary restriction of their playtime.
If you happen to notice your dog jumping up and perhaps pawing at the leash during their walk, it’s possibly a sign they want some freedom.
However, if they’re not properly trained, don’t be tempted just to let them off, as you will have a tough time recalling your dog if they have a poor recall response.
Now, although jumping up isn’t necessarily the worst behavioral trait in the world, it’s still best to try and encourage them to improve their discipline when walking.
The best way to do this? …Obedience training
See, if you have an obedient dog, they’re much more likely to respond to you in a positive way.
So improving our dog’s discipline while walking is a must to nip this problem in the bud before it gets out of control.
It’s also something that’s talked about extensively in The Easy Way To An Obedient Dog. So if you haven’t had a look yet, I highly recommend checking it out.
Anyway…
Let’s move on and take a look at some of the more specific things you can do to curb your dog’s obsessive jumping habit once and for all.
How To Stop A Dog Jumping Up When Walking
Hopefully, some of the reasons why a dog might jump up during his walk resonate with you.
So now it’s time to stop your dog jumping by employing one or more of the simple techniques outlined below.
Here we go…
Learn to control the leash
Sounds simple, right?
But leash control is vital if you’re to control your dog’s behavior while walking. And getting this right is a key ingredient to stop them jumping up permanently.
To help you manage the leash, try the following:
- Walk your dog on a tight leash to give yourself a little more control over their movements. Particularly when approaching other dogs or people.
- Try to keep your dog on just one side. Avoid letting them pull in front or lag behind is this will give your dog free reign of the leash and make them more likely to exhibit unwanted behaviors.
- Last up, if your dog tries to jump up while leashed… Stop Walking. Only continue walking, and they’ll soon learn to associate jumping with no more walkies.
When that when leashed, you are ultimately in control of your dogs’ movements. So you should avoid letting your dog take control and do as they please.
Dial down the excitement before their walk
So as we’ve seen, a common reason for your dog jumping on walks is down to pure overexcitement.
And while it’s difficult to prevent your dog from getting hyped up about an upcoming walk, there are still a few things you can do to dial down the excitement before you leave home.
Pre-walk excitement is normal, but to break the cycle and put your dog in a calm state before heading out for a walk, you could try the following:
#1 – Encourage your dog to sit down before you put on his leash.
#2 – Change your pre-walk routine. Your dog will usually be able to predict when it’s time for a walk and will get excited in the build-up. So try and mix things up before heading out, so they’re not able to work themselves into hysteria.
#3 – Desensitise the sight of the leash as a moment of euphoria. If your dog becomes more accustomed to seeing his leash throughout the day, he won’t get too carried away when it appears right before his walk.
For instance, you could put the leash on your dog 20-30 minutes before heading out. This way, it’s a lot less likely they’ll become overhyped when it comes time to step outside.
Ultimately, reducing your dog’s excitement before heading out for a walk will ensure he’s calmer during his walk.
It’ll also help ease the tendency to jump up while you’re out.
Ignore the behavior
It might feel harsh ignoring your dog when he jumps up, regardless of his intentions. And if they’re looking for attention or being protective, it’s only natural to react.
But by interacting with them or, worse still, rewarding them with praise or treats whenever they jump, you’re inadvertently reinforcing the behavior and showing them that it’s a good thing.
Instead, when they jump, do your best to avoid eye contact, and the temptation is too great, try turning your back on them completely.
Difficult as it might be, ignoring your dog will eventually indicate to them that jumping is not getting them anywhere.
Distract them with other stimuli
If your dog’s attention is on something else, the chances are that he won’t be focused on jumping up at you.
There are several ways you can distract your dog to stop him from jumping up, including:
- Using both verbal and non-verbal communication to tell your dog what to do and where to look. If other dogs are approaching, tighten their lead and get them to focus on something else.
- Giving your dog a toy or chew to carry in his mouth. Again, this can distract them from jumping up and keep them focused on what they’re carrying instead.
Ultimately, external stimuli can help your dog focus on other things rather than jumping. The more you can distract them, the less likely they are to channel all of their energy into getting your attention.
You might find that just one of these tips works wonders for your dog. Conversely, you might need to apply several of the techniques outlined above in order to see results.
And remember, combining these tips with the videos shared in Dan’s free course, The Easy Way To An Obedient Dog. You’ll be well on your way to nipping the problem in the bud sooner rather than later.
Wrapping Things Up
Although not the worst behavior trait, a dog that constantly jumps up while walking can be both frustrating and time-consuming.
But by applying a few (or all) of the above methods are some of the simplest things you can do in the long-term to change your dogs’ behavior for the better.
It might not be clear exactly why your dog keeps jumping up at you. But in time, it’s something that you can rectify provided your both patient and consistent.
And if you need a bit more guidance, don’t forget to take a look at The Easy Way to an Obedient Dog to learn even more about getting your dog’s behavior under control.
