Dear Dogfather,
I have a beautiful, sweet Leonberger named Argo. He is a rescue, and has come very far in the past year that he has lived with us.
I find that no matter what I try — ignoring, saying no, giving commands to sit — he is still jumping up when we arrive home. This is especially concerning when he does it to my children, as I’m afraid he will accidentally hurt one of them. How do I get him to keep his paws on the ground?
Thanks so much,
Melissa
Dear Melissa,
As you know, but many people out there don’t know, there is a huge difference between a jumping Leonberger (LB) and a jumping cocker spaniel. LBs easily weigh in at 120 pounds, and most kids would be well served by wearing a helmet, shoulder pads, and the rest of the padding that any pro football player wears during a game when confronted by a huge jumping dog.
So, Mr. Argo needs to be taught a door-turmoil routine, to eliminate the turmoil. Taking turns between your husband, kids, and friends, have someone come to the door and ring. You’re in the house, and when Argo (who perhaps is dragging a leash) charges the door barking, you go to the door and thank Argo for the warning, and call out to the guest, “Hold on, I’ll be right there.” Then you run the real-chicken treat you took from the jar near the door past Argo’s nose, and lure him away from the door, but within sight of the door, and tell him to “sit.” As you give him the treat, you tell him to “stay” (assuming he’s been taught sit and stay).
Then comes the tricky part, opening the door while ensuring that Argo stays and doesn’t joyously leap on top of your hapless guest. Initially, you may need to attach the drag leash to something to force him to stay. With an LB, I’d suggest a leash tied to a grand piano that’s bolted to the floor. After greeting the guest and taking his coat, with Argo waiting patiently the whole time, it’s time to release Argo with an “OK,” as he comes toward your chicken-laden outstretched hand and sits for the treat instead of jumping on the guest. It’s called “redirecting.” The drag leash works well at quickly shutting down the jumping. Step on it with just enough slack to let Argo start to jump, but so he’ll hit the end of the leash on the way up, as you say “Off!”
When you come home to an empty house and there’s no one to do the routine, have the drag leash and treats within reach as you step through the door. Grab both immediately as you tell Argo to sit, attaching the leash as you give him the treat. Your foot is on the loose leash in the right spot as you greet him calmly. The whole family needs to consistently display a zero-tolerance attitude toward any jumping. A snarl on your face as you say “Off!” and turning away if he even starts to bounce will go a long way.
Leonbergers are good, smart working dogs. He will choose to want to please you, so don’t forget the “contrast.” When he doesn’t jump, praise him verbally. Teaching a door routine is not easy, because it requires redirecting a dog’s territorial instinct. It is this instinct that is one of the key reasons early man bonded with dogs. Who knows, maybe it’s man’s first effective alarm system. I’d probably suggest that you have a pro initially teach the door routine. With the muscle memory then in place, it’ll be much easier for you to follow through training and conditioning him at the door.
Good luck, and keep those questions coming.
The Dogcharmer
