There’s nothing quite like the excitement of coming home to a happy dog, that is until that excitement launches them straight into your chest, knocking over everything in their path. Jumping up is a common behaviour in both puppies and adult dogs and while it’s usually well-intentioned, it can quickly become a problem, especially for guests or small children.
Dogs jump up because it works. When they’re puppies, jumping often gets them attention. Whether it’s positive or negative, it reinforces the behaviour. Many people unintentionally reward jumping by making eye contact, speaking in an excited tone, or pushing the dog away, all of which can be interpreted as engagement and encouragement.
The key to stopping jumping up is consistency and rewarding alternative behaviours. If your dog jumps up, avoid giving them any attention until they have all four paws on the ground. The moment they settle, offer a calm reward, which could be a treat, a toy, or gentle praise. Timing is everything. If you wait too long, your dog won’t make the connection between staying on the ground and getting the reward.
Teaching a "sit to greet" command can be an excellent way to manage this behaviour. Ask for a sit before giving attention and encourage visitors to do the same. If your dog knows that sitting politely is the quickest way to get affection, they’ll be more likely to choose that behaviour instead.
For highly excitable dogs, managing the environment can help. Using a lead or baby gate when visitors arrive, keeping greetings low-energy, and redirecting excitement onto a chew toy or mat can all prevent jumping from becoming a habit. The more opportunities your dog has to practise calm greetings, the better they’ll get at controlling their impulses.
Jumping up is normal, but with patience and consistency, you can teach your dog that keeping all four paws on the ground is far more rewarding.
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