What Was the Puppy’s Crime?

Many dogs are punished for jumping up as adults—even though people rewarded the same behavior when they were small, cute puppies.

Jumping up is one of the most common dog behavior problems, and it has inspired some truly awful advice.

Dog owners have been told to squeeze a puppy’s paws, spray the puppy in the face, knee the puppy in the chest, step on the puppy’s feet, flip the puppy over, or force the puppy into an “alpha roll.”

All because the puppy jumped up.

But what is the puppy actually trying to do?

Usually, the puppy is simply trying to say hello.

The problem is that people often encourage jumping when the dog is young. A small puppy puts its paws on someone’s knee, and the person smiles, pets the puppy, and gives it attention.

From the puppy’s point of view, jumping works beautifully.

Then the puppy grows.

The same behavior that once earned affection suddenly earns shouting, pushing, and punishment.

Watch the Video:

Don’t Punish the Behavior You Trained

Dogs repeat behaviors that work.

If jumping up leads to petting, attention, laughter, or physical contact, the dog learns that jumping is an effective way to greet people.

Then, when the dog becomes larger and stronger, the rules suddenly change—but no one explains the new rules to the dog.

A better approach is to decide what you want the dog to do instead.

For example:

  • sit to greet people
  • keep four paws on the floor
  • approach calmly
  • wait for attention
  • move away when asked


Then practice that behavior and reward it consistently. 

The best time to start this training is puppyhood, before you train in any bad habits. However, the second best time to start this training is right now. If you stop unintentionally reinforcing the unwanted behaviors and start reinforcing the correct behaviors, you'll see rapid improvement.

In Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior Problems, Ian explains how to replace frustrating behaviors with clear, practical alternatives that make sense to both dogs and their owners.


Save 75% on Simple Solutions for Common Dog Behavior Problems

For a limited time, you can get lifetime access to Ian Dunbar’s full seminar for just $25—normally $100.

You’ll learn practical strategies for:

  • house training
  • destructive chewing
  • excessive barking
  • home-alone problems
  • jumping up
  • unreliable responses to cues
  • and other common behavior and training challenges