The next time your dog begins to bark and/or jump on you, tell him to sit.
If he ignores you DO NOT FOCUS ANY ATTENTION ON THE DOG. After a minute or
two, focus attention back on the dog and make him sit again. Once the dog
has obeyed the command, pet and praise him for his actions. Initially, you
can pick him up briefly and praise him, then put him back on the floor, but
if he still barks and jumps around, get him to sit again, praise him, but
don't pick him up.
Keep practicing this and soon your dog will realize he will be rewarded for
good behavior and ignored for bad. You must be consistent though. Don't ever
give in to that pleading look one day and pick the dog up, then yell at it
the next for doing the same thing – you will only send confusing signals and
he won't know how to behave. Always make him sit quietly before petting or
praising, if he does not obey ignore him!
A well trained dog is a happy dog, because they know exactly what the rules
of the relationship are and you, as an owner, will respond with greater love
because he is such a pleasurable animal to be with.
