How to Get Your Puppy (or Dog of Any Age) to Stop Jumping on People
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.

I invite you to join my free group...

My free Facebook group for busy dog moms who want to confidently nourish their pups without second-guessing every bite. Inside, you’ll find simple nutrition tips, label-reading help, feeding strategies, and real support to raise a dog you truly love living with—starting at mealtime and lasting a lifetime. 
💛Because every pup deserves a full bowl and a full heart. 


0 Comments

Leave a Comment

*As an amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

Meet Linda May Myers

 
Linda is a devoted dog enthusiast, Canine Nutritionist, professional dog walker, and proud dog mom to Waffles, her beloved golden rescue pup. As a LEO wife of over 22 years and a “retired homeschool mom” to two amazing young adults—one of whom is now a professional dog groomer—she finds deep joy in helping families welcome and raise puppies that truly become part of the family.

A follower of Jesus, Linda brings love, compassion, and purpose to everything she does. She believes dogs aren’t just pets—they’re furever family members. Her journey with dogs has taught her how much joy, comfort, and healing they bring into our lives.

Linda is passionate about helping pet parents make confident, informed decisions about what to feed their dogs—especially during the critical puppy years. She’s committed to breaking down the overwhelm around dog food labels, marketing myths, and special dietary needs so families can raise nourished, happy, and healthy pups from mealtime to lifetime.

A self-proclaimed N.E.R.D. (Never Ending Reading Diva), Linda is always learning and loves sharing what she discovers to empower others. She understands the challenges of busy households and offers practical, heart-centered support that makes puppy parenting feel doable—and joyful.

Her mission is simple: to help keep dogs in loving homes and out of shelters by supporting families in raising happy, healthy dogs—starting at mealtime and lasting a lifetime.
Through this work, she’s also building a business that gives back—funding rescues, foster networks, and community programs so more dogs can find—and stay—in their furever families.

Because every dog deserves a full bowl and a full heart. 💛






Contact

Copyrights © 2025 held by respective copyright holders, including The Puppy Nutritionist.