How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping on Guests

Jumping is a natural behaviour for dogs. When they were puppies, many of them would jump up to their mother’s face to get attention or affection. As they grow older.

9/8/20245 min read

Dogs are excitable creatures, and it’s no surprise that they often express their excitement by jumping on people. While this may seem cute when your dog is a small puppy, it can quickly become overwhelming—especially when they grow into larger, stronger dogs. Many dog owners find themselves in a tricky spot when friends and family visit, only to be enthusiastically greeted by a dog that leaps onto them the moment they step through the door.

Not only can this behaviour be unsettling for guests, but it can also be dangerous, particularly for children or elderly visitors. Jumping up can result in scratches, and knocks, and sometimes even frighten those who aren’t as comfortable around dogs. The good news? With some patience and consistent training, you can teach your dog to greet people politely without leaping into their arms.

In this article, we’ll explore why dogs jump, the steps you can take to curb this behaviour, and how to ensure your dog remains calm and collected when visitors arrive.

Why Do Dogs Jump on People?

Jumping is a natural behaviour for dogs. When they were puppies, many of them would jump up to their mother’s face to get attention or affection. As they grow older, this behaviour can extend to humans. Dogs jump on people for various reasons:

  1. Excitement: Your dog is excited to see someone and wants to get closer to their face to greet them.

  2. Attention-seeking: Jumping often results in immediate attention, even if it’s negative attention (like pushing the dog away).

  3. Reinforced Behaviour: If your dog has been rewarded with attention or affection when they jump up in the past, they are more likely to continue doing so.

  4. Greeting Behaviour: In the canine world, face-to-face contact is a form of greeting, so your dog may simply be trying to say “hello” in the way they know best.

Understanding the root of the behaviour is the first step in addressing it. Once you know why your dog is jumping, you can begin to train them out of it.

Step 1: Ignore the Behaviour

One of the most common reasons dogs continue to jump on people is because it works—they get attention. Whether you’re petting them, talking to them, or even pushing them away, your dog sees it as interaction and reinforcement of their behaviour.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Turn Your Back: When your dog jumps up on you, immediately turn your back to them. Don’t make eye contact, don’t speak to them, and don’t touch them.

  • No Attention: Completely ignore your dog until they have all four paws on the ground. As soon as they stop jumping, you can reward them with attention.

  • Consistency Is Key: Make sure everyone in the household, as well as guests, are aware of this rule. If even one person gives your dog attention when they jump, it will confuse the training process.

By removing the reward (attention), your dog will soon realise that jumping doesn’t get them what they want.

Step 2: Teach an Alternative Behaviour

It’s easier to stop unwanted behaviour when you teach your dog what they should do instead. In this case, you want to teach your dog how to greet people politely.

Here are a few behaviours you can teach:

  • Sit to Greet: Train your dog to sit whenever someone enters the house. This way, they are calm and composed when they say hello. Use treats or verbal praise to reinforce sitting as a positive behaviour.

  • Go to Their Bed/Mat: If your dog has a designated spot like a bed or mat, you can train them to go there when guests arrive. This keeps them occupied and reduces the likelihood of them jumping up.

  • Offer a Toy: Some dogs respond well to being given a toy when visitors arrive. Having something in their mouth can distract them and prevent jumping.

Step 3: Practice with Friends and Family

Once your dog has learned the desired behaviour, it’s time to practice. Ask friends or family members to help by coming over for short training sessions. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Pre-Visit Preparation: Have your dog on a lead or harness for better control when guests arrive.

  2. Reward Calm Behaviour: If your dog stays calm and doesn’t jump, reward them immediately with treats, praise, or a favourite toy.

  3. Correct with Redirection: If your dog attempts to jump, calmly turn your back or give them a command to “sit” or “go to their spot.” When they comply, reward them.

  4. Repeat and Reinforce: Over time, and with consistent practice, your dog will learn that the only way to get attention is by staying calm and keeping all four paws on the ground.

Make sure the people helping with training are aware of the methods you’re using, so they don’t accidentally reinforce the jumping behaviour.

Step 4: Use Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is essential for teaching any new behaviour. By rewarding your dog when they perform the desired action, you’re showing them that good things happen when they behave correctly.

  • Timing Is Important: Make sure to reward your dog immediately when they stop jumping or follow a command. This helps them understand what behaviour is being reinforced.

  • Consistency: Positive reinforcement works best when it’s consistent. Don’t just reward your dog during training sessions; continue to do so in everyday situations.

  • Variety of Rewards: Dogs respond differently to various rewards. Some may prefer treats, while others enjoy praise, petting, or a favourite toy. Mix it up to keep your dog engaged.

Step 5: Be Patient and Consistent

Training a dog to stop jumping won’t happen overnight. It requires patience, consistency, and persistence. Some dogs will catch on quickly, while others may take more time, especially if jumping has been a long-standing habit.

Here are some tips to stay on track:

  • Keep Training Sessions Short: Dogs have short attention spans, so it’s best to keep training sessions between 5-10 minutes long. This prevents frustration and keeps things fun.

  • Use Commands Consistently: Whether it’s “sit,” “stay,” or “off,” make sure everyone in your household is using the same commands so your dog doesn’t get confused.

  • Celebrate Small Wins: Training is a process, so be sure to celebrate the small victories along the way. If your dog goes from jumping on everyone to only jumping occasionally, that’s progress!

What to Do When Guests Arrive

When you have guests arriving at your home, it’s crucial to prepare your dog and set them up for success. Here’s a guide for handling visitors:

  1. Prepare in Advance: Before the doorbell rings, have your dog sit or go to their spot. Ensure you have treats or rewards on hand to reinforce the good behaviour.

  2. Use a Lead or Harness: If you’re still working on training, consider keeping your dog on a lead when guests arrive. This gives you more control and prevents any jumping.

  3. Reinforce Calm Behaviour: If your dog remains calm and doesn’t jump, reward them right away. Let your guests know that your dog is in training and ask them not to give attention if they jump.

  4. Post-Arrival Reinforcement: Once your guests have settled in and your dog is calm, you can gradually allow them to interact more freely. Be sure to keep reinforcing good behaviour throughout the visit.

What Not to Do

It’s equally important to avoid certain actions that can accidentally encourage jumping:

  • Don’t Push Your Dog Off: Pushing your dog away might seem like the right thing to do, but to them, it’s still attention. Instead, turn away or give them a command to sit.

  • Don’t Shout or Punish: Shouting or punishing your dog when they jump can confuse them and create anxiety. Instead, focus on redirecting their behaviour positively.

  • Don’t Give In: If your dog jumps on you and then sits after a minute, make sure not to reward the initial jump. Only reward the calm behaviour that follows.

Long-Term Success

Curbing your dog’s jumping behaviour takes time and effort, but with consistency, you’ll see results. It’s important to remember that your dog isn’t being “naughty” when they jump—they’re just doing what comes naturally. With your guidance and positive reinforcement, they’ll soon learn that calm greetings get them the attention they crave.