Dogs seem to enjoy jumping and will do it readily after they understand the commands. Teach the exercise in parts; do not advance to following parts until your dog performs the first parts well. For most dogs, the height of the hurdle is one and one half times higher than their withers (shoulder) or three feet, whichever is less. The Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Mastiff, Bull Mastiff, Newfoundland, St. Bernard and Bloodhound are required to jump only the height of their withers or three feet, whichever is less.

First week. Start with the 8-inch board or, if your dog is very small, the 4-inch board. Face the hurdle 15 feet away with your dog in the sitting position at your heel. Give the command, “Duke, heel! Jump!” With your dog on leash and heeling, approach the hurdle and step over it. As your dog goes over, repeat “Jump!” if he refuses to jump, do not drag him over. Coax him by running at the hurdle and jumping with him. Praise him the moment he makes it. Raise the hurdle 2 inches at a time until it is about even with his withers. Regardless of your dog’s size, he now recognizes this as a jump. When he clears it with you readily, go on to the next step.

Second week. Set the hurdle about as high as your dog’s withers. Place him in the sitting position at your heel. Give the command, “Duke, heel! Jump!” Run toward the hurdle, stop just short of it and send your dog over with a repeat command, “Jump!” After he makes the jump, give the command to come and guide him back over the hurdle with the leash.

Third week. Try off-leash jumping and retrieving. Gradually increase the height of the hurdle until you reach the required height for your dog. If your dog drops the dumbbell at your feet upon returning, do not move or praise him, but give the command, “Take it”, and let him hold it a moment before you take it. Use patience, firmness and lots of praise. Remember that jumping can be tiring.

Fourth week. Place the two lowest jumps apart at a distance equal to half the jumping distance required for your dog. If, for example, he is a large dog who must jump 6 feet, make the distance 3 feet. With your dog on lead in the sitting position- at your heel and the lead in your left hand, face the jumps from about 10 feet away. At the command, “Duke, heel! Jump!“, run and leap over the jumps. As you leap, repeat the command to jump and make a broad, sweeping motion with your left hand. The motion will become a signal to jump, so it is important for your dog to learn it soon. In competition you may use a voice command or a signal, but not both. if at first your dog comes to a skidding halt instead of jumping, quickly drop the lead to prevent hurting or frightening him. Reassure him, remove one of the jumps and try again.

Fifth week. Place your dog in the sitting position facing the jumps 10 feet away. Move to a position across the jump from him, give the command, “Duke, come! Jump!” and tug the lead. Repeat the command to jump as he nears the jump. When he lands, guide him directly to you. Praise him lavishly.

Sixth week. Now you are ready to teach your dog to jump on command. Place him in the sitting position 10 feet away facing the jumps. Stand beside the jumps and give the command, “Duke, jump!” At the same time snap the lead lightly and make a sweeping motion with your left arm. As he nears the jump, repeat the command to jump; when he lands, say “Duke, come”, and guide him directly to you. Give plenty of praise.

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