Dear friends of mine have an adorable 10-month Old English Sheepdog who loves to jump up on houseguests. My friends tolerated this habit until the dog jumped on a 78-year-old woman and slammed her against the wall.

Fortunately, she was only shaken up, but it convinced my friends to ask for help. Here are the tips I gave them.

1. Try to stay calm yourself

When the doorbell rings, don’t leap up or let your children start running to the door. Keep the family calm and walk to the door in a relaxed manner.

2. Prepare visitors

Most people finding a puppy jumping up on them are going to say good boy and start petting him. Ask them instead to turn their back to the dog and ignore him. Only acknowledge him when he responds to his owner’s command to sit. Then praise him or give him a treat.

3. Use a short lead

I don’t like a leash on a collar for small dogs but put him in a body harness attached to a leash when you’re expecting company. Make him sit behind you while you answer the door. Step on the leash if he tries to move ahead of you or jump on your guest.

4. Control yourself and your family

The most effective tool I’ve found to stop jumpers is to turn your back on them. Teach your children this as well.

If you or your child are in a position you can’t do this, make fists with both hands, cross your arms over your chest and look up. Do not make eye contact with the dog or talk to him.

Dogs, the social pack animal they are, crave our attention and withholding it is the best correction we can give them.

Note ? some goofy advice is still out there to try to knee a dog when he jumps up. This can be harmful and furthermore, for a small dog that is only 4 to 6 inches off the floor, it isn’t even feasible.

Remember ? withholding attention is the best correction. Be consistent in your training and soon Fido will keep all paws on the floor.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist and creator of the popular website on small dogs, http://www.ToyBreeds.com