An experienced dog trainer has shared the “most frustrating” behavioural issue that dogs are notorious for – and the best way to correct it.
Many of us are canine enthusiasts, with dogs rightfully earning the title of “man’s best friend” They often become treasured family members, offering boundless joy and unwavering loyalty.
But having a dog can come with issues, from chewing to barking, and one particular habit gets under the skin of a professional more than any other.
Renowned dog behaviourist Will Atherton has amassed a big online following by offering his knowledge on pet behaviour, with a recent video on Instagram going viral.
In his commentary alongside the clip, the expert said: “I’m going to be honest with you, on a personal note dogs that jump up [at] me is probably the behaviour that frustrates me the most when it happens to me, and I’ve been in this industry long enough now to notice that year on year on year it’s getting worse and worse, but even more frustratingly something that’s being viewed as OK more and more.”
He went on to say: “I’m going to ask everyone nicely, please don’t be the person that has a dog that jumps up [at] strangers, it isn’t cute and it’s not acceptable and I’ve worked with too many owners whose dog has done it to a small child or elderly person and done serious harm.”
The trainer assured that if people are feeling a bit “stung” by his words and the criticism resonates with them, the problem is “by far one of the easiest behaviours to fix”. He explains in the video the steps required to deter dogs from jumping up.
Will shared that when a dog jumps up, he employs a “verbal interruption paired with a physical interruption” The physical aspect can be “faded away” as the dog becomes aware and understands that the behaviour is unwanted.
He continued by outlining the third step, which is to “redirect” the dog to the initial phase where the behaviour was verbally disrupted, before motivating the dog “to sit and wait calmly and patiently” for the attention they seek.
Will stressed “never” to reward the dog with attention for jumping, but instead, to make sure the dog recognises whenever they leap up, they will face an interruption and then be invited to wait.
Doing your homework before getting a dog is important. It’s also essential to remember training is crucial and not every dog is fit for first-time owners.
If you’re considering adding a dog to your family, think about the advantages of adopting a pooch from a charity or local shelter over buying from a breeder.