My dog jumps on me all the time, even when I tell him “No!” Do you think he’s dominant?
Oscar’s mom

Dear Oscar’s Mom,

No, I don’t think Oscar is dominant! I think Oscar just wants to say hello and has been inadvertently reinforced for jumping up. Remember when Oscar was a puppy and how cute he was? When he jumped on you, all 8 #s of him, you probably petted him and probably even picked him up. Talk about a huge reward! Once our puppies turn into rowdy adolescents who weigh significantly more than 8 #s, the jumping behavior becomes a real nuisance. To stop unwanted jumping, try stepping into your dog and telling him “off”. Animals are very sensitive to space. Ever watch a herding dog get a flock of sheep to move? They never even touch them, all they do is move into the flock’s space and off they go! Stepping into Oscar’s “space” will let him know you don’t want him in your space, unless he’s invited. When Oscar’s not jumping, ask him to sit, then pet him as a reward. He’ll figure out pretty quickly that the best way to get attention is to be patient and polite!

Stay tuned! Next time we’ll talk about how to get your dog to come when you call him! And remember, “When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you’ve growled all day long.” Warm woofs