How to Stop My Rottweiler From Jumping On Me: Steps to Stop This Behavior Now
Rottweilers are pure people dogs. If you own a Rottweiler, you already know that these dogs have a hard time being separated from their people even for a few minutes!
So it just makes sense that your Rottweiler gets so excited to see you that your dog wants to jump on you the moment you appear. The same is often true when you sit down – your Rottie wants to jump up and sit with you right away.
But what is cute in puppyhood can become very difficult to deal with when your Rottweiler grows up. In this article, learn what you need to do to stop your Rottweiler from jumping on you.
How to Stop My Rottweiler From Jumping On Me?
Your Rottweiler needs you to make it clear what behaviors are acceptable and what behaviors are off-limits.
If your Rottweiler is jumping on you, then you have not clearly communicated to your dog that this behavior is not okay.
Firm, consistent, and positive dog training is what you need to stop your Rottweiler from jumping on you. Keep reading to learn exactly what to do to stop this behavior.
Watch a Professional Dog Trainer Teach a Rottweiler Not To Jump
In this short and very helpful YouTube dog training video, you can learn five steps to stop your Rottweiler from jumping up on you.
You don’t need any special training to start using these steps right away. You can just watch the video and start using all five steps as needed to train your Rottweiler not to jump.
Why Does Your Rottweiler Jump On You?
Once you begin to fully understand why your Rottweiler jumps on you, it becomes a lot easier to stop feeling irritated and just take action steps to stop the behavior.
Jumping is part of herding and guarding behavior
As we mentioned in the introduction to this article, Rottweilers want to be with their people all the time.
This is very normal and natural for herding, guarding, and protecting dog breeds like the Rottweiler, as the American Kennel Club (AKC) explains in their breed overview.
These dogs have been bred and trained for generations to protect livestock and people. Their instincts drive them to seek you out and stay as close to you as possible.
Jumping is a submissive behavior in wild canids
As the Animal Welfare League of Arlington highlights, it is possible that jumping up is a form of submissive greeting for junior members of wild canid packs or groups.
In this case, your Rottweiler’s behavior could possibly be interpreted as yet another instinctual behavior leftover from the dog’s connection to ancient wild wolves.
It feels natural to your dog and so they will continue to do it until you train them not to.
Jumping puppies are cute and you may have reinforced this behavior
Rottweiler puppies are small and cute and fuzzy and adorable.
As the Humane Society points out, a jumping Rottweiler puppy isn’t going to cause much trouble and will likely be greeted with praise and enthusiasm.
But when your Rottweiler grows up to weigh between 80 and 135 pounds, you no longer think it is cute that your dog is jumping on you or on visitors to your house.
Unfortunately, your dog doesn’t realize that size is an issue. You seemed to like it when your dog was little and so they just keep doing it.
Steps to Discourage Your Rottweiler From Jumping On You
There is no one single right or wrong way to train your dog not to jump. There is just the decision that you don’t want your Rottweiler to jump and the decision about what you want your dog to do instead.
However, even if your Rottweiler is jumping up on everybody, you want to keep the training simple at first. Start by training your dog not to jump on you.
After you feel like your Rottweiler is making progress in not jumping on you, then you can slowly add another person and then another and another.
As Preventative Vet points out, you will actually be training your dog to do two things at once:
- Not jump on you.
- Do something else instead that you prefer.
So the first step is actually to think about what you want your dog to do instead of jumping on you.
Do you want your dog to sit quietly in place and wait for you to issue a command to come to you for a greeting? Do you want your dog to freely approach you but instead of jumping just sit at your feet for a pat?
This also means you will need two commands at first – the command to not jump and the command to do the other behavior you prefer.
Tips to Keep Your Rottweiler From Jumping On You
As Vetstreet explains, until your Rottweiler has unlearned their old habit of jumping on you and mastered the new behavior, you may also want to keep these tips tucked away.
These tips can help you quickly prevent your Rottweiler from jumping on you or on a visit while you are still training your dog not to jump.
1. Quickly step on your Rottweiler’s leash
For this, you will need to put your foot on the leash so your dog can sit straight up but not stand up and not jump.
Of course, only do this if you have enough lower body strength to keep your dog from knocking you over if they try to jump up anyway!
2. Give your dog something to carry in their mouth
If your dog has a toy or a treat in their mouth and it is something they really like and don’t want to drop, there is a much lower probability of jumping.
This is because most dogs have a hard time jumping while also holding something in their jaws.
3. Give your Rottweiler a good exercise session before visitors arrive
If your Rottweiler is tired from a vigorous session of play or the long run, there is much less chance they will want to muster the energy to jump up all over guests to your home.
This can be an especially good tip for Rottweiler puppies since their energy tends to come in bursts and they get tired out easily.
Just be sure you don’t over-exercise your puppy before the long leg bone growth plates have closed (your veterinarian can help you with this).
4. Do not give your Rottweiler any attention
This tip can be just as hard for you as it is for your dog. But the truth is, once your Rottweiler realizes that they don’t get your attention when they are jumping, the behavior is less likely to recur.
After all, your Rottweiler is only jumping because in the past this behavior has gotten a desirable reaction from you – your attention. When you withdraw your attention, the jumping is no longer useful to your dog and is less likely to continue.
Is Your Rottweiler Jumping Due to Anxiety?
As PetMD points out, dogs that are suffering from anxiety or separation anxiety often jump to get more attention.
Anxiety can arise for a variety of reasons. A rescue Rottie may be anxious due to past relinquishment, neglect, or trauma. A newly re-homed Rottweiler puppy may jump because they are not used to being away from their mother and littermates.
A Rottweiler that is lonely or bored may jump just to have something to do. In this case, even negative attention is still attention, and attention is still better than being alone or restless.
A Rottweiler that isn’t getting enough exercise may jump because they have too much energy and can’t burn it off. And a Rottweiler that is poorly socialized may jump out of misplaced aggression or friendliness.
For your Rottweiler, these states are just as uncomfortable as loneliness, boredom, aggression or anxiety might be for you. Luckily, there are lots of different ways to help an anxious dog calm down and stop jumping.
Anxiety vests can help ease nerves during holiday fireworks, thunderstorms, and loud music. Canine essential oils or flower essences also help some dogs stay calmer when their anxiety gets triggered.
In some cases, a rescue Rottweiler with a past history of neglect or trauma may benefit from a course in prescription canine anti-anxiety medications as well as behavior modification training.
If you have tried training your Rottweiler not to jump on you and nothing seems to be working, it is possible your dog needs more help to deal with anxiety than basic training can provide.
This is the right time to talk with your veterinarian about other ways to help your Rottweiler stop jumping on you.
