It’s charming when a ten-week-old puppy scrabbles at your knees. It’s less charming when that puppy is a 35 kg Labrador with muddy paws and your elderly neighbour is in a cream coat. Jumping up is one of the most common training problems, and one of the most fixable.
Why dogs jump up
Dogs greet each other face to face, and our faces are far above them. Jumping up is a friendly attempt to say hello — and it usually works. People look, talk, push the dog away (which can feel like play) or stroke them. Every one of those responses rewards the jump.
The plan: make sitting the way to get attention
- Remove the reward for jumping. When your dog jumps, turn away, fold your arms and say nothing. No eye contact, no pushing.
- Reward four paws on the floor. The instant all four paws touch the ground, turn back and greet calmly — or drop a treat on the floor so your dog looks down rather than up.
- Teach a sit for greetings. Practise sits at the door when nothing exciting is happening, then with family members arriving, then with visitors.
- Keep greetings calm and low. Crouch down to your dog’s level, or scatter treats on the floor as you come in.
Visitors
Visitors are the hardest part, because they often encourage jumping (“I don’t mind!”). Until your dog has learned, keep them on a lead or behind a baby gate when guests arrive, and explain the rules. Let your dog greet once they have settled.
Consistency matters more than anything. If one person in the house allows jumping, the dog learns that jumping sometimes pays off — and intermittent rewards make a behaviour stronger.
Out on walks
Ask people to wait until your dog is calm before saying hello, and walk away if your dog jumps. A harness gives you more gentle control than a collar.
What not to do
- Kneeing a dog in the chest or stepping on back paws can cause injury and fear.
- Shouting adds excitement.
- Punishment can make dogs worried about greeting people, which can lead to other problems.
Burning off energy
Young, under-exercised dogs jump more. Adequate exercise, play and training sessions make calm greetings much easier.
Questions owners ask
How long does it take to stop a dog jumping up?
Many dogs improve within a couple of weeks if everyone is consistent. Excitable adolescents may take longer.
Why does my dog jump on me but not my partner?
Dogs learn who responds. If you tend to give attention when your dog jumps, they will jump more on you.
Can I let my dog jump up sometimes?
Yes, if it’s on cue. Teach “up” as a trick and only allow it when invited — but master four-on-the-floor greetings first.
Written by
Sam writes our breed and behaviour guides. (Demo profile supplied with the Tailwise theme.)
Reviewed by
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
