How to stop your dog jumping on people
Jumping is a greeting. Teach a better one, and make sure jumping stops getting attention.
By Pawfessor Editorial TeamPublished 1 min read
Dogs jump up to greet faces and to get attention. And it works: even pushing them off or saying “no!” is attention. The plan is simple: jumping gets nothing, four paws on the floor gets everything.
Step 1: Remove the reward
When your dog jumps, turn away and fold your arms. No eye contact, no words. The moment all four paws touch the floor, turn back and greet calmly.
Frequently asked questions
Should I knee my dog when they jump?
No. It can hurt your dog and often makes jumping more exciting or creates fear of people. Teach a sit instead and remove the attention jumping gets.
What if guests encourage jumping?
Ask them to help: no attention until four paws are on the floor. If they can't, keep your dog on a leash or behind a gate during greetings.
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