Jumping for Joy: How to Handle Your Bouncy Buddy!

Hey there, dog lovers! 🐾

Does your furry friend have a case of the "jumping for joy" syndrome? You know, when they can't contain their excitement and leap up to greet you, your guests, or anyone who walks through the door? Don't worry; you're not alone, and we've got some tail-wagging solutions!

1. The "Four on the Floor" Rule

First things first, let's establish a golden rule: "Four on the Floor." Teach your dog that the only way to get your attention is by keeping all four paws firmly planted. Try to capture this rather than wait for the behaviour, so be prepared to reward early and sometimes it can seem like it is too early but the more your dog gets rewards with their feet on the floor the more they will keep their feet on the floor.

2. Capturing the less exciting moments

Continue training in less exciting environments, for example, when you go to the kitchen for a snack and you come back out to where your pup is and they don’t jump up on you, reward your pup with treats and affection when they greet you calmly. Capturing these lower arousal experiences and reinforcing them will go a long way to training calmness in your pup.

3. Train an Alternate Greeting Behaviour

Have you ever seen those dogs that can stay on their bed even when there is so much excitement all around them. Well training a solid boundary is a good way to get this calm behaviour. Start by creating desire to be on the bed (boundary) by feeding the bed anytime your dog goes onto it. This grows a high value for the bed and makes it a place your dog wants to be.

4. Consistency is Key

Consistency is like the magic wand of dog training. Make sure everyone in your household understands the management strategies and plays the games. This will prevent mixed signals and help your pup understand what's expected. The best part about games based training is you can see amazing results with as little a 3 minutes a day!! What! I know it is amazing how play increases learning.

5. Get Some Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Make sure your furry friend gets plenty of mental exercise to keep that excess energy occupied. Using food toys or creating a noise box, treasure hunt or hide and seek with your dogs meals goes a long way to creating an amazing mentally enriched mealtime. A hike, some games, a walk at the beach, or a stand-up paddle boarding session can add to the experience and incorporating their meal into these activites keeps them even more engaged.

6. Seek Professional Help

If your dog's jumping habits are deeply ingrained, consider consulting a certified professional dog trainer to expertly guide you with a bespoke plan exactly for your pup's unique needs.

Remember, patience and positivity are your best friends in this training journey. Your dog loves you unconditionally, and with a little effort, you can teach them the art of a pawsitive greeting.

So, here's to happy, grounded greetings and a lifelong bond with your bouncy buddy! 🐶❤️

Catch you on the trails and by the lake, fellow dog enthusiasts! 🌲🏞️