Jumping up is a common issue for dog owners, but it’s easily solvable with the right approach. If you’re searching for how to stop your dog from jumping on people, A&T Trained Dogs has you covered.
Our dog behaviourists use science-backed methods to transform this behaviour into a polite greeting. In this guide, we’ll offer practical steps on how to stop your dog from jumping up, explain why they do it, and show how our dog training services can help you.
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Why Does My Dog Always Jump on People?
Though it can be frightening for some, it’s worth remembering that a dog jumping up is just a way for them to greet people face-to-face, seek attention, or express excitement. A puppy wants to meet their mother’s face, and this desire persists into adulthood, especially if reinforced.
A 2019 study found that 90% of dogs jump on household members returning home, making it a top behavioural concern. High-energy breeds like Labradors and Border Collies are particularly prone, and may need intensive training to cut the habit. It can be caused by a number of triggers, including:
- Guests arriving
- Returning owners
- Busy environments, such as parks
- Overexcitement, such as when about to go for a walk or before a meal
Though this reaction is entirely natural, it can be problematic, especially if your dog has muddy paws or is strong enough to knock someone over. Our one-to-one dog training targets these triggers for lasting results.
Why Jumping Up Is a Problem
It might seem harmless, but jumping can have its downsides:
- Safety Risks: Large dogs like German Shepherds can knock over children or seniors, causing fright or injuries. Even small breeds like Cavapoos can hurt people through scratching.
- Guest Discomfort: If you have visitors – especially those not acclimatised to dogs – they can feel intimidated, which can lead to awkward encounters.
- Reinforcement Loop: Attention, even if negative (such as shouting ‘no’) can reinforce jumping. Dogs crave attention, so any kind of response might encourage them.
- Public Nuisance: In public spaces, such as cafés or parks, dog jumping can be disruptive to others around you.
With early training, you can prevent these issues arising in your dog before they even start. Our puppy training classes teach calm greetings right from the off.
How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping on People
To stop your dog from jumping, you’ll need consistency, positive reinforcement, and an alternative behaviour. Below are five expert steps to keep your four-legged friend’s paws on the floor.
Step 1: Don’t Reward Jumping
As serial attention-seekers, dogs jump mostly for attention. You can remove the reward by ignoring your dog when they jump up. Turn your back, avoid eye contact, and stay silent. Only praise them or give them a treat when all four paws are back on the ground. Utilise calm settings to build the habit, and use a lead indoor to gently guide your dog down if persistent.
Step 2: Teach an Alternative Behaviour
Replace jumping with a behaviour like sitting, which is incompatible with jumping, per AKC. Train ‘sit’ using our how to train your dog no guide as a foundation. Practice ‘sit’ in low-excitement settings, rewarding with treats. Before any guests arrive, cue ‘sit’ and reward compliance. Over time, you’ll see that your dog starts sitting to greet rather than jumping.
Our one-to-one dog training personalises this for your dog’s needs.
Step 3: Manage Excitement Triggers
Exciting events, like the doorbell ringing or you returning home, can spark jumping. To manage it, employ some of these tips:
- Desensitisation: Ring the doorbell repeatedly, then reward your dog for calm behaviour, dulling the trigger.
- Exercise First: If guests are coming later, try to tire your dog out with play or a long walk.
- Controlled Greetings: When your guests arrive, keep your dog on their lead, cueing ‘sit’ to reinforce calm.
Trouble getting your dog to obey simple commands? Check out our dog obedience training & classes for help.
Step 4: Practice in Realistic Scenarios
Simulate greetings to reinforce training. Have a friend knock on the door or enter the room, while you encourage your dog to sit and keep their paws on the ground. With each new session, gradually add more distractions (e.g., multiple guests, outdoor settings). With consistent practice, you can generalise your dog’s positive learned behaviours.
Step 5: Reward Polite Greetings
The best way to cement a dog’s learning is to use positive reinforcement. Reward paws on the floor with treats, praise, petting, or play, especially when it marks clear progress or is a particularly challenging scenario. High-value treats like chicken should be used early in the process, and slowly move on to praise as the behaviour solidifies. Reward good behaviour as fast as possible for optimum results. Here are some other reward strategies you can utilise:
- Inconsistency: Everyone in your household needs to ignore jumping and reward calm, and to do so consistently. Otherwise, your dog might become confused.
- Punishment: Yelling or pushing can seem like play or anger, causing anxiety and worsening jumping. Positive reinforcement is always better.
- High Excitement: Loud greetings or petting during jumping reinforce the behaviour, so do your best to resist. Keep greetings as low-key as possible.
- Skipping Basics: Expecting calm greetings without mastering ‘sit’ in calm settings sets your dog up for failure.
Our one-to-one dog training helps owners sidestep these errors.
Tailoring Training to Your Dog
Different breeds of dog suit different types of training, so make sure to attune your methods to your dog’s specifications:
- Breed: High-energy breeds, such as the Border Collie, need more exercise to curb their jumping, while calmer breeds, like Basset Hounds, master ‘sit’ quickly.
- Age: Puppies learn faster but have shorter attention spans, whereas adults may need to unlearn habits.
- Temperament: Excitable dogs need trigger management, anxious dogs need confidence boosts.
Explore our dogs for sale for trainable companions.
Tools to Support Training
You don’t need much to get your dog to stop jumping up; a few effective tools can do the trick:
- Leashes: You can keep your dog from jumping by attaching a shorter lead just before they get excited.
- Treats: High-value treats motivate learning in dogs. Keep them in a pouch so they’re readily accessible for you.
- Clickers: Mark correct behaviours precisely, speeding up learning.
Aversive tools like shock collars should be avoided as these can cause distress and confuse your dog.
Conclusion: Your Path to a Polite Dog
Learning how to stop your dog from jumping on people is achievable with patience, attention to detail, positive reinforcement, and consistency. A&T Trained Dogs offers the expert guidance to make it happen. Explore our dog training services, check dogs for sale, or learn more on our about us page.
Ready to get started? Contact us or call 01524 587315.
