How to Stop Dog Jumping on People: A Guide to Calm Greetings.

We all love a warm welcome from our dogs when we come home, but sometimes, their excitement can go a little too far. For families with big dogs and small children, this can even become unpleasant or unsafe.

Dog jumping up on people is a natural behaviour. It’s how they show enthusiasm or even cope with stress. While natural for them, it doesn’t always fit into our human world. The good news? With some training, we can redirect your dog jumping up into something calmer and more manageable.

Understanding Dog Jumping Behavior

Dogs jump for many reasons, whether it’s at the door when you come home, during mealtime, or when they’re seeking attention while you’re busy. Recognising the triggers is the first step to addressing the issue.

Here are a few practical tips to help prevent jumping:

Tip 1: Watch Your Body Language

Your posture and actions can accidentally encourage jumping. For example:

• Leaning down and making eye contact while using a high-pitched voice may excite your dog further, prompting them to jump.

• Solution:

  • Try sitting on a chair when greeting your dog. This brings you closer to their level without overstimulating them.

  • If standing, remain calm and upright. A steady, low-pitched tone will signal calmness to your dog.

Every dog is different, so experiment to find what keeps your dog grounded without overstimulating them.

Tip 2: Avoid Aversive Techniques

Some common reactions, like pushing your dog away, grabbing their collar, or stepping on their leash, can frustrate them and make jumping worse. Even negative attention can reinforce the behaviour.

• Instead: Redirect their focus to a positive action. Teach them to sit as their go-to greeting behaviour.

Tip 3: Build a Greeting Routine

Dogs thrive on predictability, so creating a consistent greeting routine can make a big difference.

1. When you enter, ignore jumping and acknowledge your dog when all four paws are on the ground.

2. Ask your dog to sit and reward them immediately when they do. This shows them the behaviour you want.

3. Practice regularly, and keep sessions short to prevent frustration for you or your dog.

Let me know how you go or email me for more help and guidance.