Pets

Is it ok to hit your dog for jumping on you?

Breaking the Bond: Why Hitting Your Dog for Jumping is Never Okay

The question is, is it okay to hit your dog for jumping up on you? So I totally understand how frustrating and annoying it can be to have a dog that jumps up on you, that jumps up on guests that come over, that will jump up on passerbyers. There could be a few different reasons on why your dog may be jumping up on people. Is because they want attention from you, they might be a little bit fearful of that person so they're jumping up to kind of push them away and tell them to back off. They also could be wanting to get closer to our face because we had something smelly and yummy in our mouth so they want to get closer to our mouth as well. When we push our dogs down or when we hit our dogs for jumping up, they're getting that attention that they're seeking. So we are reinforcing that jumping behavior when we do push them down. It's never okay to hit an animal, especially your best friend, that's going to start to break the bond between you two. You're trying to grow a stronger bond through positive reinforcement. Alternatively, have your hands by your side or behind your back. Turn your body when they do jump up on you, say off. If you have to remove yourself completely, do so, but then come back to them and ask them for a behavior that you do want. So instead of leaving them hanging, you can ask them for a sit and reward them, ask them for a down, reward them. You could also treat scatter away from you or away from that other person that they're jumping up on. Another option is redirecting them with a toy and getting them excited about a toy instead. Always reinforce four paws on the ground. So when someone comes over or when you're walking by someone and they don't jump, mark and reward that. Anytime you see four paws on the ground, mark and reward. The more you reinforce behavior, the more you're going to see that behavior happen.

It is never ok to hit your dog for jumping up on you. Instead, turn your body away and say "off" or remove yourself completely, then come back and ask for the behavior you do want. You can also redirect their attention with a toy, and always Mark and reward when they have four paws on the ground. This will help build a stronger bond between you two.

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Is it okay to hit your dog for jumping up on you? I understand how frustrating it can be when your dog jumps on you or others. There are a few reasons why dogs may engage in this behavior, such as seeking attention, feeling fearful, or being interested in something you have.

However, hitting or physically punishing your dog for jumping is not recommended. When we push them down or hit them, we unintentionally give them the attention they seek, reinforcing the jumping behavior. It's important to build a strong bond with your dog through positive reinforcement.

Instead, try keeping your hands by your side or behind your back and turning your body away when they jump. Use a firm off command. If necessary, remove yourself from the situation temporarily, but then return and ask for a desired behavior, such as sitting or lying down. Reward them for complying.

You can also scatter treats away from you or redirect their attention with a toy. Always reinforce and reward your dog when they have all four paws on the ground. Mark and reward this behavior when someone comes over or when passing by others.

By consistently reinforcing the desired behavior and avoiding physical punishment, you can help your dog learn to keep their paws on the ground.

Positive Reinforcement & Body Language: Key to Humane Dog Training

What is your approach to dog training? I am a humane dog trainer and I use positive reinforcement. The first thing that I talk about with my clients and actually anyone who will listen is becoming well-versed in dog body language. That is how our dogs communicate with us and other dogs and their signals that they give off can be really subtle so we want to make sure that we can pick up on them and catch them so we can set our dogs up for success. Dogs are natural scavengers and they're great problem solvers so mental enrichment is just as important as physical.

I'm a Humane Trainer and use positive reinforcement. I emphasize learning canine body language to help set dogs up for success, as well as providing mental enrichment in addition to physical exercise.

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My approach to dog training is centered around positive reinforcement and humane methods. One of the first things I emphasize to my clients is the importance of understanding dog body language. Dogs communicate through subtle signals, and being able to recognize and interpret these signals is crucial for setting our dogs up for success.

In addition to physical exercise, I believe that mental enrichment is equally important for dogs. They are natural scavengers and excellent problem solvers, so providing them with mental stimulation is key.

By using positive reinforcement techniques and focusing on both mental and physical well-being, I aim to create a positive and effective training experience for dogs and their owners.

I have a pitbull and a german shepard who need a lot of exercise: what are your thoughts on treadmills?

Exercise alternatives for energetic dogs: treadmills or outdoor activities?

So you are a fellow pit bull lover and you also have a German Shepherd who need a lot of exercise. What are my thoughts on treadmills? So when I used to work at a doggy daycare, they did have treadmills and we would have to run the dogs for I believe it was five minutes at a time. I think they can be good to get a little bit of energy out. You're able to take your dog out for a walk or get a dog walker. This is gonna be much more rewarding for your dog. They're able to sniff. They're able to you know, roll around and be a dog opposed to when they're on a treadmill. They're just on this one track constantly just kind of jogging along. So that can be a little bit boring, maybe even a little bit frustrating after a while. So I love playing tug-of-war with my dog. Also hide and go seek. You can also invest in a flirt pool if it's summer, springtime. Swimming is great if your dog's into that. Don't forget a life jacket. Dog sports as well as playing with other dogs can be really great for physical exercise.

Treadmills can be a good way to get energy out for your dog, but there are lots of other ways to do that too, like playing tug-of-war, hide and go seek, swimming with a life jacket, and dog sports.

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As a fellow pit bull and German Shepherd owner, I understand the need for providing ample exercise for your dogs. When it comes to treadmills, I have some thoughts. In my experience working at a doggy daycare, we did have treadmills that we used to run the dogs for short periods, typically around five minutes at a time. Treadmills can be useful in getting some energy out of your dogs.

However, it's important to note that while treadmills can provide physical exercise, they may not be as mentally stimulating or rewarding for your dogs as going for a walk or having a dog walker take them out. When dogs are on a treadmill, they are confined to a single track, constantly jogging along, which can become monotonous and potentially frustrating for them.

Instead, I recommend engaging in activities that allow your dogs to be dogs. Playing tug-of-war, hide and go seek, or investing in a flirt pole can provide both physical exercise and mental stimulation. If it's the right season, swimming can be a great option, but remember to use a life jacket if needed. Additionally, participating in dog sports or arranging playdates with other dogs can also be beneficial for their physical exercise needs.

While treadmills can have their place, it's important to consider a variety of activities that cater to both the physical and mental well-being of your dogs.

How do I get my 2 year old dog to start responding to recall request, when they aren’t food and toy incentivized?

Unlocking Your Dog's Recall: Finding Motivation Beyond Food and Toys

How do I get my two-year-old dog to start responding to recall requests when they aren't food and toy incentivized? So all dogs are food motivated. You want to figure out what your specific dog finds motivating. So some dogs might be more motivated by cheese and others might be more motivated by turkey. Serve inside the house where there's minimal distraction. So you cue once when your dog isn't looking at you. When they get to you, then shower them with their very, very tasty reward. We can't expect our dogs to come to us in the outside world when we haven't really solidified it inside the house or with very minimal distraction.

Figure out what motivates your dog and use it as a reward when they respond to recall requests. Make sure to practice in an area with minimal distractions first before attempting this in the outside world.

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To get your two-year-old dog to respond to recall requests when they aren't food and toy incentivized, it's important to identify what motivates your specific dog. While all dogs are food motivated, the key is to find the specific type of food that your dog finds most enticing. Some dogs may be more motivated by cheese, while others may prefer turkey.

Start by practicing recall inside the house or in an environment with minimal distractions. Call your dog once when they are not looking at you. When they come to you, reward them with their favorite, tasty treat. This helps solidify the recall behavior in a controlled setting.

Remember, it's important to establish a strong recall response indoors or in low-distraction environments before expecting your dog to respond in more challenging outdoor situations. With consistency and positive reinforcement, you can encourage your dog to respond to recall requests effectively.

Dogs, Cats, and Elephants: Unconventional Favorites in the Pet World

What is your favorite pet? My favorite pet is obviously dogs But I do love cats I really do I grew up with cats I had about three acres of land growing up And we had maybe six cats always kind of running around they are you know, they're independent and They are their own beings just like dogs So I would say it goes dogs first then cats. I know this isn't a pet but Elephants they're up there

My favorite pet is dogs, but I also like cats and elephants.

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My favorite pet? Dogs, without a doubt. However, I also have a soft spot for cats. I grew up with cats on a large property, and we had about six of them roaming around. Cats are independent and have their own unique personalities, just like dogs. So, dogs come first, followed by cats. Now, this may not be considered a pet, but elephants are also up there in terms of my favorites.

Is an American Labrador a good dog to get if you like to hike?

American Labradors: Perfect Hiking Companions!

So Gina's question is are Labradors a good dog if you like to hike? So myself I have a lab mix. I would say yes, but we always want to remember that every dog is their own individual being. So a lot of labs are pretty friendly. They're very high energy. They love to swim. They love to hike. They love to run. We also want to make sure that we are giving them mental stimulation as well as physical.

Yes, Labradors make great hiking companions due to their high energy and love of running and swimming. However, it's important to remember that all dogs are individuals and to provide them with both physical and mental stimulation.

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If you enjoy hiking and are considering getting a Labrador, you may be in luck. Labradors are generally known for their friendliness, high energy levels, and love for activities like swimming, hiking, and running. However, it's important to remember that every dog is unique and has its own individual traits and preferences. While Labradors often make great hiking companions, it's essential to provide them with both physical and mental stimulation to ensure their overall well-being.

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Masina Kakese is the owner of Q&A Dog Training. She had worked in the pet industry for quite some time before deciding to head back to school in 2018 to start her career as a professional dog trainer. While growing her business she's also been keeping her education up to date by taking courses & getting certifications. Masina loves to work reactivity cases, setting rescues up for success & helping new pet parents with their puppies. She brings a nonjudgmental, fun & calm energy to her sessions. Masina would like to be a shoulder to lean on for other aspiring BIPOC trainers & is proud to be the first Black, Force-Free dog trainer in the lower mainland. 

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.