How to Stop Your Dog From Jumping on Guests

Understanding the Behavior

Dogs jump on guests for a variety of reasons – excitement, attention-seeking, or simply because they’ve never been taught proper greeting manners. While this behavior might seem cute when your puppy is small, it can become problematic as your dog grows. Understanding why your furry friend engages in this behavior is the first step toward correcting it. Dogs naturally want to greet face-to-face, and jumping brings them closer to our level. Additionally, any attention they receive (even negative reactions) reinforces the behavior.

Training Techniques That Work

Consistent training is key to stopping this unwanted behavior. Start by teaching your dog an alternative greeting behavior, such as sitting. When guests arrive, ask your dog to “sit” before they approach. Reward calm behavior with treats and praise. If your dog starts to jump, immediately turn away and withdraw attention – this teaches them that jumping results in the opposite of what they want. You might also try keeping your dog on a leash during greetings, giving you more control to reinforce the sitting position. Remember to enlist your guests’ help by asking them to ignore your dog until all four paws are on the floor.

Creating Long-Term Success

For lasting results, practice these techniques regularly in low-distraction environments before testing them with actual guests. Set up training sessions with family members acting as “guests” to reinforce the proper greeting behavior. Consistency among all household members is crucial – if one person allows jumping while others don’t, your dog will become confused. Consider using baby gates or keeping your dog in another room until they’ve calmed down when guests first arrive. With patience and persistence, your dog will learn that keeping all paws on the floor is the best way to get the attention they crave.