Is your puppy bursting with excitement, causing them to jump on you—or, even worse, onto guests? While jumping may seem cute at first, it’s a behavior that can quickly become an issue, especially as your puppy grows. Whether you're training a young pup or breaking the habit in an older dog, this behavior can be redirected into calm greetings with the right approach.
Dogs often jump to greet or get attention, but this habit can be dangerous for small children, cause injuries, or simply become annoying. The good news is that, with consistency and patience, you can teach your puppy (or adult dog) to stop jumping on people, making their greetings more enjoyable for everyone. Here are five simple steps to help you get started:
1. Understand Why Puppies (and Dogs) Jump
Puppies often jump to greet people and get closer to faces for affection. It’s their way of saying “hello” and seeking attention. While it's an instinctive behavior, you can teach them more appropriate ways to interact. Understanding that your puppy jumps to get attention is the first step in helping them learn how to greet you—and others—calmly.
2. Stop Reinforcing the Behavior
Puppies jump because it works: they get your attention. Even if you push them down or say “No,” that’s still attention. The key is to remove any attention when your puppy jumps. Immediately turn your back, cross your arms, and avoid eye contact. When ALL FOUR PAWS are on the floor, give them calm praise and attention. It’s crucial to remain consistent—no exceptions!
3. Teach an Alternative Behavior
Instead of jumping, teach your puppy to sit when they greet you. This gives them an action to focus on that’s incompatible with jumping. Whenever your puppy approaches, ask them to sit, and only offer attention or treats (these are my favorite treats to use because they re healthy nd the dogs love them) when they remain sitting. Start this training as early as possible, but remember, older dogs can learn too! The more consistent you are with asking for “sit,” the quicker they will understand that sitting brings rewards, not jumping.
4. Use Rewards and Praise
Positive reinforcement is key to teaching your puppy. As soon as they stay calm or sit when greeting you, reward them immediately with praise, a treat, or affection. Gradually phase out treats as your puppy becomes more consistent, but keep using verbal praise like “Good puppy!” to reinforce the behavior.
5. Practice With Guests
It’s one thing to stop your puppy from jumping on you, but you’ll need to train them not to jump on others as well. When guests arrive, inform them about the training. You could even have a jar of treats outside your door for the guests to have in hand when they enter. Ask them to ignore your puppy if they jump and only offer attention when the puppy is sitting or calm. You can also use a leash to maintain control during greetings, especially with young puppies. Ask your puppy to sit while you greet the guests, then reward them for staying calm.
To make this process even easier and to make greetings easy for everyone, I create this free PUP IN TRAINING sign.
By displaying this sign at your front door, you’ll give visitors clear instructions on how to interact with your puppy—making training smoother and more consistent.
Here’s what the sign includes:
- A gentle reminder for visitors to ask for a sit before giving treats.
- Instructions to turn away if your puppy jumps.
- A space to write your puppy’s name for a personal touch.
Simply print, hang it up, and let your guests be part of your puppy’s success!
Grab it HERE
Breaking the habit of jumping is easier when your puppy is young, but it’s never too late to train an adult dog! With consistent training, positive reinforcement, and involving everyone in your household, your dog will learn to greet people with all four paws on the ground.
Consistency is key—soon, jumping will be a thing of the past, and your dog will greet both you and guests with calm, friendly energy.
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