Why Do Dogs Jump?
Is there anything better than coming home from a long day at work and seeing your dog barrel toward you in excitement, jumping up to greet you? That’s one of the purest forms of love there is, one that’s been proven to soothe stress, offer companionship, and combat PTSD. But when your dog is jumping on a house guest, during mealtime, or during socialization, you might be wondering: Why do dogs jump?
Here are some of the theories:
Survival of the Fittest
It’s a dog-eat-dog world out there. As puppies, it’s in a dog's nature to jump up to their mother when it’s time to feed, something necessary to survive. Depending on the breed, litter size can vary and competition can be tough. This often means stepping on or over siblings to get to the food source, with little consideration for others. As the puppies mature but before reaching adulthood, it’s instinct to treat their mother as the leader of the pack. When she returns to her litter carrying food, the pups instinctively jump up to lick their mother’s snout – their way of asking for food and showing submission. In domestic situations, you as the owner are in a similar situation each time you feed your dog. If you find that your dog jumps at you – not at the bowl of food in your hand – this could be the underlying reason.
Saying Hello
Typically when dogs meet each other, they meet face-to-face and then circle around each other, familiarizing themselves with the other dog. The same is true when dogs meet humans. They jump so they can greet you face-to-face. If you’ve ever seen different sized dogs interact, you know that most larger breeds don’t know their size. This can be a little problematic when the dog has a habit of jumping to greet guests, for obvious reason, but again, this is something that’s simply in the dog’s nature.
Body Language
Sometimes it’s not always a positive situation when dogs jump. When being protective or feeling spooked, many dogs jump to assert dominance or control. You can discern these types of situations by reading other cues your dog might be giving off. Is their jump higher or more aggressive than usual? Is the fur on the back of their neck standing? Are they growling? These signals are your dog’s way of telling you that they're uncomfortable or fearful. Typically this is the case when strangers enter your home. The dog is unfamiliar with this new member of “the pack” and feels protective of you and their “territory” or the home.
Let it Out
If you’re gone for long periods of time or you kennel your dog, sometimes the jumping is just your dog letting loose some excess energy. Just as you can get antsy sitting at a desk or while waiting in line, your dog goes through the same thing when left alone or in a cage.
While a jumping dog isn’t always the best way to be greeted, it’s only your dog’s way of showing excitement and happiness overseeing you. Jumping can take a toll on your dog’s joints. Keep your dog doing what they love with WINPRO Mobility.
WINPRO MOBILITY contains a blend of animal blood proteins and other key ingredients to support canine joint function and help dogs maintain joint mobility so they avoid “limp & gimp”, especially during times of increased activity. This product promotes joint comfort and movability and helps reduce stiffness & soreness from exercise or natural aging. A great product covering your dog's entire life cycle.
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