Lisa wrote in a three part question about her five month old Labrador Levi:

“My second problem is he will not stop jumping up at you, I think he thinks you have a treat for him, What is a good way to stop the jumping. I have tried turning away but he just jumps on your butt, and I have tried kneeing him, (I don’t like that one ) but even that don’t work he just comes back for more like it is a game, any suggestion at all will be appreciated.”

Hi Lisa,

Dogs jump on us to show dominance and because they have gotten away with it in the past. In many cases, we have actually encouraged the behavior when they were little by petting them when they put their front paws on us – why wouldn’t they continue the behavior as an a naughty teenager?

The best thing is to walk into him when he jumps. Keep it simple and do not make it aggressive or playful otherwise he will do the same thing that he does when you knee him (I don’t like that one either – very old school training method although it does work on some dogs). It takes a bit to get used to doing as it feels wrong or like you are going to step on his toes but it works.

It is a form of body block and if you watch dogs or wolves interact, you will see that the alpha dog or wolf is never asked to move by a member of the pack. Instead, the dominant dog will either turn into the other dog, shoulder check him, or block his path completely. It is up to the subservient dog to walk around or move for the alpha. By walking into your dog, you are showing yourself as alpha because it is up to him to move for you. Simple doggy psychology.

Remember to tell visitors to do the same thing or put him in a down/stay until he is calm as the last thing you need is your grandmother or your two year old niece to be the ones he jumps on next!

See you Thursday, Lisa, for part three of the Case of the Crazy Lab!