How to Train Your Dog to Dock Jump

Hello Shell, First, work on the Leave It command from the article linked below for surfing that happens when you are present. Leave It method- the first part of that method that involves food. Gradually work up to pup leaving harder foods alone - like kibble - treats - chicken - hotdogs - until pup can leave food on the floor alone when told that command while you are there to enforce it and prevent pup from grabbing it. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite For surfing that is happening while you are out of the room, I recommend creating an aversion to jumping on the counter itself. There are a few ways to do this. You can place something like a scat mat on the counter and put a food temptation further back on the counter just out of reach - when pup jumps up the mat gives a static shock - nothing harsh but its uncomfortable and surprising. You can also set up Snap Traps covered lightly with unfolded napkins. When pup touches them on the edge of the counter, they will jump up and make a snapping sound - startling pup. These are designed for this type of purpose so won't actually close on pup like real mouse traps would - don't use real mouse traps because of the risk of injury. You can also stack metal pot lids and pans precariously on the counter. Tie a strong string like twine through all of them and back tie the whole contraption to something secure so that when they fall they can't fall all the way to the floor and hit pup, then tie another string to the lid or pan that's supporting the precarious set up and tie the other end of that string to a safe food booby trap, like a whole bagel sitting on the counter. The idea is that when pup jumps up and grabs the food, they will pull the objects over because of the string attached to the bagel when they grab it and create a loud crashing noise that will surprise them. Because of the back tie string the objects should not fall on pup though. With all of these setups, you will need to set up a camera to spy on pup from the other room and be ready to run in and remove any food left on the counter or floor, so that pup doesn't return to the scene of the crime once things are calm and eat the food anyway - otherwise they may decide that its still worth it to jump up. You will need to practice this setup often with pup on different parts of the counter and with different foods. Don't use any food that could harm pup if they were to swallow it - like chicken bones, grapes, chocolate, xylitol, nuts, garlic, or onion. When not practicing the trap, keep counters clean and pup confined away from the area or tethered to you with a hands free leash until pup has thoroughly learned the lesson - jumping up and not being surprised and potentially grabbing food, will negate your training efforts - you want pup to think that the counter is always suspicious now so they give up on jumping up. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 21, 2022

Hello Alex, If the creek doesn't have a drop off but he is simply launching into the water from the shore, then it is completely normal for him to be hesitant still off of the dock. The two are very different in his mind. First, I suggest finding a friend who has a dog who is used to jumping off of a dog and have him watch that dog do it regularly. Set up times to go to the lake with this dog often until he starts jumping in himself. Ideally, this should be a dog he really enjoys being around. Have everyone besides him in the water (be careful around the dogs in the water so they don't try to climb on you), and your dog left on shore with only jumping off of the dock as his way into the water. Encourage him excitedly but don't drag him in. Expect him to just step off of the dock into the water, or awkwardly 'jump/fall' into the water his first 10 or so attempts. That's okay, praise him for the effort! He needs to get over his fear of making the leap off of something before you will start getting his jumping distance back. Don't worry about distance right now - just on getting of the dock. Go back to baby steps of simply encouraging him into the water with confidence and praise, and making jumping in look fun by having everyone else in the water with that as his only means to get in normally (have a safe way for him to get back out though), and let him watch another dog make the jump over and over to show him how its done. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

May 27, 2019