Dogs, just like humans, are social animals and need interaction with others, so withholding your attention is a very effective passive punishment. For example, if your dog jumps up on you, cross your arms, turn your head away and remain absolutely silent until he stops jumping. Do not try to push him away, look at or talk to him. He will interpret any of these actions on your part as attention, or even play. When your pet does finally sit, reward him with your undivided attention.

If, in the past, you allowed your puppy or dog to gain your attention by barking or jumping up on you, you must realize that if you subsequently decide to ignore such behavior, your pet will only try longer and harder to regain that attention. An analogy in human terms would be a person who presses the button of an elevator whose doors do not open. He or she will press the button repeatedly, before giving up and walking down the stairs. To successfully change your dog's behavior, you must ignore-and outlast-all his efforts.