Tips for Understanding a Dog who Jumps on Guests

How can you tell if your dog is the pack leader? Its simple: If he jumps on you when you arrive home, he's the pack leader. If he jumps on your guests, he's making sure that these new arrivals also know he's in charge.

What can you do to stop this unwanted behavior? Most importantly, you need to establish yourself as pack leader. When a dog doesn't have a clear pack leader who projects calm, assertive energy, he tries to fill the vacant role, usually to disastrous results. (For the owner and for the dog.)

Set Some Rules-For You and Your Dog
Don't shower your dog with affection when you walk through the door. This kind of attention is wonderful for a human child, but not for a dog. Remember dogs are animals, and the kindest thing you can do is to treat your dog like a dog by communicating in a way he'll understand.

The dogs mom the ultimate pack leader would never tolerate inappropriate activity. If she sees something she doesn't like, she stops the activity by moving the puppy out of the way in her calm, assertive way. The puppy learns an important boundary from the lesson, and her firm and unambiguous leadership balances the puppys submissive role in the pack.

When your guests arrive, ask your dog to sit patiently. Your dog will follow your commands when he respects you as his pack leader. Remember, the animal pack leader doesn't negotiate to get what he or she wants. The pack leader leads by projecting a calm, assertive energy the language dogs use to communicate.

The most important thing to remember is that you can't be a leader only some of the time. Leadership is forever; inconsistency triggers confusion and anxiety in a dog. Animal pack leaders never waver from their leadership role, and neither should you.

Next Step: Mastering the walk

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