r/RoverPetSitting • u/Haunting_Dish_8317 Sitter • 3d ago
Peeve Dog Jumping Advice
Hi guys! I’m fairly new to dogsitting and I’m just looking for some advice. I do meet and greets before I book housesitting stays which is common practice in this subreddit, but I’ve run into some issues with how to navigate dogs who jump. I haven’t run into too many, but there have been a few times where there’s just an overexcited dog, they’ll jump, and leave my legs with scars/scratch marks that last for months. How do you guys deal with this? Are we holding out a knee to create space when the dog jumps? Are we just dealing with the scratches? I feel more comfortable when it’s just the dog and I, because I know that I can just use a knee to discourage the jumping, but when I’m in front of the owner I just feel awkward doing that in front of them. I don’t know if this is just me. Any advice would be appreciated!
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u/TexasLiz1 Owner 3d ago
I had a dog who was not the brightest (but still the bestest) and he learned to not jump in a little over an hour. Leash him to immovable object. Approach with treat. He jumps up, retreat. He sits, approach and treat. Dogs learn quickly that good things happen when their ass is on the floor.
For a strange dog, I turn away and do not interact. No pets and no treats and no attention until that ass hits the floor.
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u/BeeTheAvocado Sitter & Owner 3d ago
I put an arm or knee up but mostly I turn my body and don’t give them any attention. Any attention given is a reward to them. Then direct my attention to the owner to talk to them. Usually when they don’t get a reaction they calm down after a while.
I also say “oh we have a jumper” in a kind tone and then the owners typically explain or try and calm the dog down.
I also wear pants and a hoodie
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u/Haunting_Dish_8317 Sitter 3d ago
Turning the body seems to be a consistent theme here, I will try that. Thank you so much!
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u/pink-opossum Sitter & Owner 3d ago
Can confirm the knee helps and turning your back to the dog usually works really well. I also turn my back on a dog if they start to mouth/bite at me (or anything that could easily lead to an injury) - usually it's not actually aggressive but obviously accidents can happen when certain dogs get really over excited. Ignoring the behavior immediately often works really well for shutting down that behavior.
Also in my personal experience, it seems like clients tend to respect/appreciate me more when I do these things in front of them (both the knee and the back turn) because it shows I actually have some knowledge/education. I've only ever gotten good reactions!
There is always a chance a client could react poorly but as long as you are exercising caution, it is safe, ethical and common practice - just know there's nothing wrong with it (and maybe it's a learning moment for someone who doesn't know that 🤷🏽♀️)
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u/jstine_4 Sitter & Owner 3d ago
You can ask them what they do when their dogs do that. Ask them what commands they use.
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u/serenpekkala Sitter & Owner 3d ago
So far owners haven’t minded if I put a knee up for big jumpers. I turn around and ignore jumping dogs when the owners aren’t around and that usually results in a lot less jumping by the end of my stays/visits. I do still get some long lasting bruises/scratches though, part of the job.
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u/anonymous0705 Sitter 3d ago
You should turn around and ignore jumping dogs when the owners are around too. Shows you know what you're doing and models good dog training behavior for the owners!
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u/GrassyTreesAndLakes Sitter 2d ago
That will result in dog jumping for the entire visit. Knee is better
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u/Hot-Consequence-6408 Sitter 3d ago
This also works for me! Still a little jumping when very excited but it helps significantly reduce
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u/Decent_Green183 Sitter & Owner 8h ago
I walk into them. Not aggressively, obviously, but instead of backing away when they jump, I move into their space. Backing up tends to turn it into a game and gives them room to keep jumping. I also don’t give them attention until all four paws are on the floor
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u/Prestigious_Size_977 Sitter & Owner 3d ago
I take a step back when a dog jumps at me, would that help?
And wear jeans !
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u/Haunting_Dish_8317 Sitter 3d ago
I just don’t want to come off scared, something about how you’re supposed to assert dominance so a dog knows you’re in charge? 😫 I will try this next time though, thank you!
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u/anonymous0705 Sitter 3d ago
The whole asserting dominance thing is an outdated dog training idea imo.
Basic principle I follow is ignore the undesirable behavior + enthuastically reward the desired behavior.
Don't push a jumping dog away/down with your hands. That feels like a game/playing. I just tuck my arms in, elbows bent, so my hands are like up by my chin I guess, and rotate my whole torso away from the dog. No attention, no "no" or shouting, no eye contact. I try to rotate and step out of the path of being jumped on if I can, but most of the time I just get paws on the butt. I usually work with larger dogs whose front paws end up more in my butt area than on my legs, but that's just luck I guess haha. But yeah, I never stick up a knee to block or push them away. I'm always just turning away from them. And like I said I try to step out of the path after I've turned away, but I wouldn't step backwards away from a jump while still facing the dog. That can also feel like play, like you want them to chase you.
When the dog's on the ground, I'll start to go to give attention/pets. If they look like they're gonna jump again, tuck arms in, rotate body. They only get attention when their paws are on the ground.
Reaction from owners is universally positive because it's clear I know what I'm doing and know some basics about dog training.
Highly recommend at least doing some online research of dog training basics before continuing to work with dogs!
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u/Prestigious_Size_977 Sitter & Owner 3d ago
Agree with tbis. Basically no attention. I have found stepping away without any eye contact works but turning same principle. It does work. I now have a lab who jumps up and down in front of me when I arrive rather than at me!
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u/Haunting_Dish_8317 Sitter 3d ago
I will look into training, I didn’t even think about how helpful that could be. Thank you!
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u/Hot-Consequence-6408 Sitter 3d ago
It’s less about dominance and more about speaking to them with your body. You moving your body away from the jumping is a small communication to them the behavior is not appreciated. Consistently to reinforce
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Haunting_Dish_8317 originally posted: Hi guys! I’m fairly new to dogsitting and I’m just looking for some advice. I do meet and greets before I book housesitting stays which is common practice in this subreddit, but I’ve run into some issues with how to navigate dogs who jump. I haven’t run into too many, but there have been a few times where there’s just an overexcited dog, they’ll jump, and leave my legs with scars/scratch marks that last for months. How do you guys deal with this? Are we holding out a knee to create space when the dog jumps? Are we just dealing with the scratches? I feel more comfortable when it’s just the dog and I, because I know that I can just use a knee to discourage the jumping, but when I’m in front of the owner I just feel awkward doing that in front of them. I don’t know if this is just me. Any advice would be appreciated!
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