Labrador Training: Teaching Your Lab The “Off” Command

In Labrador training, “off” is a very important command to teach your dog. Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to jump on people, counters and just about anything else they can get their paws on. Even if your Labrador doesn’t have a jumping problem now, it can be useful for correcting inappropriate jumping in the future and preventing it from getting worse.

There are three main ways to teach your Labrador the “off” command:

 1. Use the “sit” command

Before teaching your Labrador “off,” he or she should already know how to “sit” on command. Once this is taken care of, follow these steps:

• Take a step back or turn around as soon as your Labrador tries to jump on you.


• Say “off” immediately after.


• Give the “sit” command.


• Reward your dog each time they obey so that good behavior is encouraged.

2. Stop your Lab using a knee

This method isn’t for everyone, as it can be difficult to keep your balance and you or your Labrador may end up getting hurt. However, it is another option for those who’ve been unsuccessful with other methods. To teach your dog the “off” command, you must

• Raise a knee in front of you right before your Labrador tries to jump on you.


• Try to anticipate your dog jumping, as lifting your leg late will only result in you or your Lab getting injured.


• Quickly say “off” afterwards.

Most dogs will either not jump because they find that the knee is in the way or they’ll try to jump anyway and bump into you, which they find uncomfortable and will avoid next time.

3. Use a leash on your Lab

A leash is a better alternative to using your knee, as long as you use a harness. Otherwise, you risk pulling on the leash too hard and hurting your Lab’s neck. To teach your Lab the “off” command using this technique do the following:

• Place a harness and leash on your Lab.


• Position your dog so that he or she is facing you.


• Leave the leash alone so that it is loose on the ground.


• Do whatever it is that triggers your dog to jump. For example; serving dinner, giving a treat, playing fetch, calling your dog by his name, etc.


• As soon as your Labrador attempts to jump on you, place your foot on the leash and say “off.”


• Reward your dog with a treat or praise.


• Do this a few more times and repeat the process for a couple more days.

No matter what technique you decide to use, it’s important that you don’t push your dog with your hands. This will only confuse your Lab and they will interpret it as encouragement. Also, once your Labrador knows the “off” command, you can apply it to just about any situation that involves inappropriate jumping. 

You ask of my companions. Hills, sir, and the sundown, and a dog as large as myself that my father bought me. They are better than human beings, because they know but do not tell. ~Emily Dickinson

The video below shows Piper (Labrador Retriever) who completed the Neuman K-9 Academy Boot Camp for dogs. This program covered obedience commands to sit, stay, down, heel, come when called (off-leash), confidence building, distraction proofing, and general etiquette like waiting at doors until released and no jumping up. She also learned how to run on the treadmill and jump into a vehicle on command.

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