How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping on People (Without Losing Your Mind!)

Does your dog turn into a kangaroo every time someone walks through the door? 🦘🐶 As cute as it might seem, jumping can be overwhelming (especially for guests who didn’t sign up for a surprise dog hug!).

No worries! With the right approach, patience, and consistency, you can teach your pup to greet people politely—without turning them into a human trampoline. Let’s dive into it! 🏆🐕

🚨 Why Do Dogs Jump in the First Place?

Before we stop the behavior, let’s understand why it happens. Dogs jump because:

✔️ Excitement – "OMG! You’re home! I love you! Let me show you... by launching at your face!" ✔️ Attention-seeking – Even if you push them away, they’re still getting a reaction. ✔️ Habit – If jumping was cute as a puppy, they probably learned it was okay. ✔️ Lack of training – They simply don’t know a better way to say hi!

Understanding the why helps us fix the how! 💡

❌ What Not to Do

Before we get into solutions, here’s what won’t work (and could even make things worse!):

🚫 Yelling or Pushing – Any attention (even negative) can reinforce the behavior. 🚫 Kneeing Them in the Chest – This is uncomfortable for the dog and not an effective training method. 🚫 Holding Their Paws – This can make them more excited or anxious. 🚫 Ignoring Completely – While ignoring can help, your dog still needs guidance on what to do instead!

Now that we know what to avoid, let’s train them the right way! 🎯

✅ Step 1: Teach an Alternative Greeting

Your dog needs to know what to do instead of jumping. Here’s where we introduce a default polite behavior like sitting or staying calm.

How to Do It:

1️⃣ Ask for a Sit Before Greetings

• When you come home, don’t say a word until your dog sits.

• The moment their butt hits the ground—praise & reward! 🎉

• Repeat consistently so they learn: Sitting = Love & Attention

2️⃣ Train the "Four on the Floor" Rule

• If your dog stays on all fours when someone arrives, reward with treats & petting.

• The goal? Teach them that keeping paws down gets them what they want!

3️⃣ Use a Command Like “Off”

• If they jump, calmly say “Off” and turn away (no eye contact, no touch).

• The second they stop jumping, reward good behavior! 🦴

🐾 Consistency is key! Everyone in your home must follow the same rules!

✅ Step 2: Manage Greetings with Guests

Dogs get extra excited when new people come over. Let’s set them up for success!

Training for Guest Arrivals:

✔️ Use a Leash – Keep your dog on a leash until they master calm greetings. ✔️ Train a Place Command – Teach them to go to a specific spot (like a bed) when guests arrive. ✔️ Instruct Guests – Tell visitors to only give attention when your dog is calm & sitting. ✔️ Practice Doorway Training – Have a friend ring the doorbell repeatedly, only letting your dog greet them when calm.

🎯 Goal: Your dog learns that calm behavior = attention and jumping = no fun at all!

✅ Step 3: Reward the Good, Ignore the Bad

Dogs repeat behaviors that get them what they want. Let’s make sure they get rewarded for good choices instead of jumping!

🎾 Do This: ✔️ Reward all paws on the floor with treats & praise. ✔️ Ask for a sit before all interactions (at home & in public). ✔️ If they jump, turn away & ignore until they stop. ✔️ Give attention only when they’re calm & polite.

❌ Don’t Do This: 🚫 Yell or push them off (this is still attention!). 🚫 Let them jump on some people but not others (confusing!). 🚫 Expect instant results—be patient & consistent!

✅ Step 4: Burn Off That Energy! 🔥

A dog full of energy is more likely to jump. Make sure they get enough exercise so they can stay calm when greeting people!

🐶 Ways to Tire Them Out:

• Daily walks & playtime 🎾

• Training games (sit, stay, fetch) 🏆

• Mental enrichment (puzzle toys, scent work) 🧠

• Doggy playdates! 🐕🐕

A tired dog = a calmer dog = less jumping! 🐾

✅ Step 5: Be Consistent & Keep Practicing

Repetition is key when training dogs. The more consistent you are, the faster they’ll learn!

🐕‍🦺 Training Checklist: ✔️ Practice daily (5–10 min sessions work best!) ✔️ Keep rules the same for everyone in the house. ✔️ Be patient—dogs learn at different speeds! ✔️ Celebrate small wins—progress, not perfection! 🎉

🎯 Final Thoughts: Say Goodbye to Jumping!

Stopping jumping is totally doable—and it doesn’t take magic, just patience, consistency, and the right training! 🐕✨

✅ Teach an alternative behavior (sit, stay calm) ✅ Manage guest greetings & home arrivals ✅ Reward paws on the floor & ignore jumping ✅ Give your pup plenty of exercise & mental stimulation

With practice, your dog will learn to greet people politely—no flying leaps required! 🚀🐶

Got a jumper at home? Try these tips and let me know how it goes! 👇😊