How To Teach Your Dog Not To Jump Up On Furniture And People

Dogs can be really great sofa companions. They make adorable cuddle partners and can offer a lot of comfort and warmth. However if you don’t plan to allow your dog on the sofa in adulthood it is best to never let them up; even as cute puppies (we know it’s difficult).

A Chihuahua with a mind of its own ruling the sofa

It is very easy to give your puppy lots of fuss and attention when he jumps up, however every time you give him the attention that he is demanding you are encouraging this behaviour. He will learn that jumping up will get him a reward and he will continue to challenge your authority. Picking your dog up to have a cuddle on your lap will have the same effect, even if you put him down after you have fussed him.

A Yorkshire Terrier relaxing on the sofa testing its owners authority

Prevention

Always ignore your dog when he jumps up, and never reward him with attention or praise. Anticipate when he is going to jump up, and make him sit before he jumps. As soon as he sits give him lots of praise and attention.

A dog lying down on the sofa testing the authority of its owner

He will learn that to get the attention that he wants he must follow your command to sit. This should prevent this unwanted behaviour, but you must make sure that you command him to sit every time he tries to jump up, otherwise he will learn that sometimes jumping up does get rewarded and he will continue to test you. Remember to tell your whole family so that your dog isn’t getting rewarded without you knowing, otherwise your training will be pointless.