How to Teach Your Dog to Jump

Consider what you are expecting of your dog. When you want your dog to learn to jump, be sure it is a suitable thing for your dog to learn. Consider the following:

• Is your dog the right size or height?
• Is your dog healthy enough?
• Is the jump you expect from your dog doable for your dog?
• Is your dog a good learner?

Break a dog treat into several pieces.

Put the broken treats inside your pocket.

Call your dog. Tell him to sit.

Show your dog you have a treat. Do this by waving it around his nose.

Depending on how tall you are and how tall your dog is, hold the treat at an appropriate level. For a medium to large dog, hold it about a foot or two above your dog.

Say "jump".

With the dog treat in your hand, physically jump to demonstrate the action at the same time as the word.

Your dog will eventually catch on and jump.

Give your dog the treat as a reward. Also praise him.

Repeat to reinforce. When you are satisfied the dog knows the command, reduce the rewards. However, continue the praise at all times.

Set up your jumps. Always start with your jumps fairly low. This helps for 2 reasons: It prevents the dog from crawling under, and It helps build confidence. It will also prevent your dog from tripping over the pole. If you can, place a barricade on either side of the jump so your dog will not try to go around. Some good temporary jumps can be made out of simple household items like boxes, piece of wood, and small furniture.

Clip lead onto your dog's collar. This will help you guide your dog over the jump, because beginners might be confused. Make sure the lead is reasonably loose.

Put your dog in a sitting position at least 3–4 yards (2.7–3.7 m) away from the jump.

Make sure that there is plenty of space for your dog to start and land the jump.

When you have done these steps, start jogging with your dog as you approach the jump, lead in hand. Step over the jump as your dog will hopefully do the same. When your dog is jumping, give a voice command. You can also use a clicker as the dog jumps over the hurdle.

When your dog obeys your command, give her praise. Pet your dog, praise it, and occasionally give a treat.

Practice makes perfect, so be patient. If your dog is tired, let her rest before trying again. Dogs tend to focus better when they aren't tired and hungry.

Slowly raise the height of the jump. Do not push your dog too hard. Hard work pays off in the long run, but too much pressure will not create any progress.

Set up a box or row of boxes somewhere in the yard or garden. The boxes should be of a good height for your dog to leap over.

• The more enclosed the area, the better. That way your dog cannot circumvent the jump but must go over it to reach you.

Choose a toy or a treat to entice the dog. If you do choose the toy, have treats as a reward.

Walk over the box jump with your dog. This will familiarize him with going over the box.

Run or jog over the box jump with your dog. Make it fun, so that he wants to come with you.

Settle yourself on one side of the jump. He must be on the opposite side. Use the toy or treat to entice the dog to come to you, using the jump.

Use the word "jump" so that he associates the command with the action.

• If your dog jumps, reward him with a treat and praise.
• If your dog walks around the jump, do not reward him but make him repeat the action until he jumps.

Repeat until you are certain he knows what to do.

• When your dog is more familiar with jumping, you can remain alongside the dog and toss the toy over the jump and ask him to jump to get the toy.
• Over time, you can increase the difficulty of the height or shape of the jumps, to give him a bit of variety.