Many of you have played the "airplane game" with your children, trying to encourage them to try a different food by "zooming" a spoon full of food playfully towards their mouth. A variation of this game can teach your dog impulse control as well as reinforcing a sit/stay and not jumping.
Have a treat ready and hidden in one hand. Ask your dog to sit in front of you. Holding the treat with your thumb and index finger, raise your arm up above your dogs’ head. Slowly bring it down toward your dog. As long as your dog continues to sit quietly, keep bringing the treat closer. If your dog gets up or jumps toward the treat, quickly raise the treat up and away from your dog. Ask your dog to sit (or wait for your dog to offer a sit) and try again. Repeat until you can lower the treat all the way down to your dog’s mouth without him jumping.
Reward your dog verbally and by giving him the treat. Repeat. Dogs love this game!
