To teach a dog to jump, with your right hand hold a cane just
high enough above the ground so that your dog can easily step
over it, and in your left hand hold a piece of treat just in
front of him, so that he will have to step over the stick to get
it. As the dog grows older and understands what you want him to
do, you can raise the stick a few inches at a time, so that he
will be obliged eventually to jump over it to obtain the reward.
Occasionally refrain from rewarding him, and thus accustom him
to jumping without a reward.

After a dog will jump over a stick he can be taught to jump over
your extended foot or through a hoop or your arms; in fact, a
small dog can be taught to jump through your arms much more
easily than over a stick, as all you, have to do is to throw a
treat on the ground and hold your arms in front of him so that
he will have to walk through them to gain the reward, gradually
elevating your arms so that he will be obliged to jump before
you allow him to pass. Always encourage your dog by saying “Hip”
whenever he jumps.

Rope Jumping

After a dog has learned to leap he can be taught to jump the
rope, but this will require considerable practice. In the
beginning tie one end of the rope to some stationary object a
few inches from the ground and hold the other end with your
hand, drawing the rope taut close to the ground; accustom your
dog to jumping over it while it is at rest, and don’t forget to
use the word “Hip’ or “Hoop-la” each time he jumps.

When he does this satisfactorily you can give the rope a slight
swaying motion and at the proper moment give him the word “Hip,”
and if the rope is not swinging too fast or far he will in all
probability jumps over it.

After he will do this all that remains to be done is to
gradually swing the rope farther and faster until he learns to
jump the rope satisfactorily. A dog which will jump the rope
standing on four legs is doing well, but it is possible to teach
him to do so while standing on his hind legs; this is, however a
very difficult feat and puts considerable strain on the dog’s
muscles, and it is not always advisable to force a dog to do it.

Retrieving is not the only game which you can engage with your
dog, try the rope jumping game when you have got the chance, it
can be good exercise and great fun for both of you too!