5 Ways to Stop Your Pug From Jumping Up

Your Pug won’t stop jumping and you desperately want to know how to stop this undesired habit!

It’s understandable why most people don’t like for a Pug to jump on them. However, one of the most common and frustrating behavioral problems in Pugs is, you guessed it, jumping on people. This is not only frustrating because of the risk of getting your clothes dirty or torn, but it can also cause injuries to people and to your Pug.

With the tips below you can learn how to stop your Pug from jumping and stop this unwanted behavior once and for all.

How to Stop Your Pug From Jumping on You When Coming Home

Start by ensuring that your Pug is never allowed to jump on you from the time you bring it home. Initially, you may find it cute that when you come home from work or errands your Pug is so excited to see you and starts jumping and wagging its tail happily.

At a young puppy age, this may appear sweet and fun. However, when you consider that a Pug can grow to weigh up to 28 pounds, then you’ll probably realize that this habit can’t continue forever.

Changing habits is very difficult for Pugs, just like it is for humans. That’s why it’s important to start to teach your Pug from an early age that this behavior is not acceptable. After all, your Pug won’t understand why he was allowed to do this at one point and isn’t anymore.

Teach your Pug boundaries immediately. Make sure that coming home to your Pug is a normal thing that doesn’t call for over-enthusiasm. Here are ways to stop your Pug from jumping on you upon your return home:

• When you return home, set your things down calmly and quietly.
• If your Pug is overly excited, ignore it until it is calmed down.
• Once calm, gently greet your pup. If you do it enthusiastically, then you’re demonstrating an unwanted behavior.
• If your Pug is overly excited when you come home and your calm return doesn’t make a difference, it may have some separation anxiety.

Teach ‘Sit’

The “sit” command is a very important command to teach your Pug. This is the base of having control over your Pug and also indicates that you are the leader. Leadership is something your Pug needs. Learn how you can teach this command and other important ones. Once your Pug will sit on command, you can tell it to do this when he jumps on you. Always give a treat and praise to reward wanted behaviors.

How to Stop Your Pug From Jumping on Guests

When your Pug has a habit of jumping on other people, there are two possible reasons: your Pug is very enthusiastic or very dominant.

Pugs demonstrate their dominant behavior towards other Pugs by ‘standing on them’. The dominant Pug then lays its paw on the other Pug’s back. Your Pug must learn that you are the alpha and that this type of dominant behavior is unacceptable.

Helpful Tip: One way to teach your Pug that you are the alpha leader is when eating. If Pugs live in a pack, the alpha Pug eats first. The rest of the pack only starts eating once the leader has indicated that they can also eat. You, as the alpha can do this by having your Pug sit before he gets food. Once he has performed this task, he will receive his food. This task is a good basis for teaching your Pug their place.

Now, back to how to stop your Pug from jumping. A common mistake that causes your Pug to think that jumping is normal is unknowingly rewarding this behavior. What often happens is that when your Pug jumps up, they are petted and coddled. Don’t do this because it encourages the unwanted behavior of jumping.

The following tips will show you how to stop your Pug from jumping. While you can and should do them with your Pug, have visitors and other family members try them out, too. Or step in and do it when needed. Consistency is key.

Unbalance

When your Pug jumps on you, take a step forward at that exact moment and give the commands “down,” and “sit”. When the Pug jumps, it stands on two legs taking away its balance for the moment. If you take that step forward, your Pug will be really out of balance and this isn’t a pleasant experience for the Pug. If you consistently do this when your Pug jumps up, it will associate jumping with an unpleasant feeling and the behavior will be discouraged.

Dance

If your Pug jumps on you, grab both his front legs and hold them up. At that point, give him the “off” command and walk towards him. Because of that step forward, the Pug must take a step back or sit down. He is brought out of balance in this way and won’t enjoy that. Continually doing this will give your Pug an unwanted feeling and the goal is that they will eventually stop doing the action that results in this feeling.

The Belt Method

Put a collar and leash on your Pug. Hold the leash giving allowing it to be just slightly loose. Stand up straight and hold a toy or reward in your hand at chest level. Try to get him excited so that he wants to grab the reward. When he tries to grab the toy or reward by jumping, give him the “sit” command immediately. The Pug is not only corrected by your voice but also by a pull on the leash. Doing this regularly is a good training technique.

Turn Your Back

If you can see that your Pug is about to jump on you because they are excited and coming towards you, turn your back and completely ignore it. You can also turn your back if they are already in the process of jumping up. Give your Pug the “sit” command and continue to do this (turn around and say ‘sit’) until your Pug has calmed down. Only provide a reward when your command has been executed. This will show your Pug what behavior you do and don’t want to see.

The Knee Method

The knee method is the least preferred option. This method entails raising your knee the moment your Pug wants to jump on you. Your Pug will get your knee in its chest, which brings him out of balance and gives an unpleasant experience.

The issue with this method is that your Pug could get the knee in its stomach which is extremely painful or the knee can hit his throat. There is a risk of injury with the knee method, so either be extremely mindful or avoid it completely.

Many times, one method will do the trick to get your Pug to stop jumping. Other times, several methods used in combination are the answer. All Pugs are trainable with patience.

In Conclusion

Every Pug has a submissive side and as a pet parent, it is your job to bring this side out and reward it. Following one or all tricks on how to stop your Pug from jumping should get the job done. Patience is a virtue as the process can take time. Some Pugs may learn fast and others may not.

The more you teach your Pug desired behaviors, the more you and others will enjoy your adorable Pug’s presence. As always, be patient and consistent!