jumping up on the dinner table

[Anita]

Lucky always likes to jump up on the table (front pawas only) whenever we are eating. We always say "down" and pull his collar gently so that he comes down. However, he jumps right back up again!

Any suggestions? We've now resorted to putting him on a tether in another room whenever we eat so he won't jump on the table and try and get our food! We've even tried feeding him at the same time that we sit down to eat--doesn't work.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

[Sandy]

How old is Lucky? I'm having the same problem with Toby and counters right now. Today I've started saying "Off", and when he gets down, basically having a Praise Party! I can't tell how well it is or isn't working yet, but at least it's somewhat positive instead of negative.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Ned is also doing this and he is a mini/medium. I have 2 other dogs and have had dogs in the past. Not one of them EVER did this. We keep saying off but so far he still does it - not all of the time but several times a week. I will avidly follow this discussion for ideas. I do think they will mature out of it as long as they are consistently stopped.

[Ali]

I use a shake can to keep her from jumping on me or any furniture. I made 6 of them and placed them everywhere in the house. This seemed to work, but then i went home to Houston where my mom lives and she reinforced Lola's jumping, so it is back to square one. Ugh.

[Jill and Cody]

My doodle does this too. And unfortunately he gets positive reinforcement because he usually finds something interesting. He'll get "off" as I am standing there, but will go right back up when I turn away. I have no suggestions but am open to hearing anyone elses.

[sbis0oszc95r]

We're just finishing a puppy training course and we learned that "down" means lay down and "off" means stop jumping up on things and people. Keep a small amount of treats at the table and if he jumps up, say "off" and when he jumps down, throw a treat away from the table and praise him.

also, if he jumps up on the counters in the kitchen...leave some cookie pans all over the counter, leaning them over the edges and when he jumps up, they'll flip over on the floor and cause a large bang without hurting him. Then, he'll associate the counter with something negative and hopefully, stay off.

Good luck!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

thanks - if Ned keeps his counter cruising up, we will try the cookie pan technique. Great idea.

[Adina P]

It is mentioned below...but just in case it gets missed. Keep in mind that in obedience the word "Down" is used to mean 'lie down'. So you might want to change your command to "OFF" so puppy doesn't get confused.

But also remember that until you teach the dog what the word means and the dog has had a chance to demonstrate understanding of the word and his task ... you cannot expect a puppy to understand what you want no matter what word you use.

Try leaving a leash on him (ONLY when you are watching him so he doesn't get his leash stuck on furniture and get hurt or choke) in the house. Then you can grab the leash and pull him off, or step on the leash and keep him from jumping up. THEN...since you KNOW he's gonna try again...get in front of him and BLOCK him with your body. Just stand there looking ahead and say "NO jump" (or NO or OFF or whatever) and block him without making eye contact. Think of a "bouncer" and how he puffs out his chest to block people from entering the building. Pretend you are a big musclebound bouncer and use your body and attitude to say NO. No need to hurt the dog or yell...just body block and tell him to do something else. Give him a bone and direct him to his dog bed or crate. Change his mind and get him doing something else.