How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping Up

If your dog greets you like a pogo stick every time you walk through the door, you’re not alone. Jumping up is one of the most common struggles I hear from dog parents—and trust me, it can feel frustrating when you just want a calm hello (without paw prints all over your clothes or being knocked over).

The good news? With the right approach, you can absolutely teach your dog not to jump and instead replace that chaos with calmer, more polite greetings.

Why Do Dogs Jump on People?

Before we try to change any behavior, it’s important to understand the why. Dogs don’t jump because they’re being “bad” or “dominant.” They jump because:

• They’re excited to see you.

• They’re seeking connection and attention.

• They’re curious.

• They’ve been practicing this since puppyhood—it’s a well-worn brain pathway.

Every behavior serves a purpose. Jumping is simply their way of saying, “Hi, I'm excited to see you!” more often than not. 

Why It Matters (Even If You Don’t Care About Jumping)

I’ll be honest: I personally don’t care if your dog jumps on me. I love dogs and don’t mind muddy paw prints.

But jumping can be an issue if:

• It bothers you. If you find yourself dreading the chaos when you walk in the door, that’s a sign it’s time to work on it. Feeling resentful of your dog will drain you and damage your relationship with them over time. 

• It bothers your guests. Some people don’t like dogs, are nervous around them, or simply don’t want their clothes dirty. Their needs matter too. 

• It bothers your dog. Some dogs cannot help themselves when it comes to jumping and it can flare up hip and back issues—especially for larger dogs. Additionally, if you have slippery floors where your dog is jumping up, this may be a ticking time bomb for joint issues to pop up at some point down the road. 

Whether you want to change it for yourself, your visitors, or your dog’s wellbeing—it’s worth addressing.

A Courtesy People Don’t Talk About

Here’s something I rarely see mentioned in training blogs but think is so important: guest courtesy.

If you know your dog jumps, let your guests know beforehand. That way, they can choose how to interact—whether that means not greeting your dog at all, keeping their clothes safe, or approaching on their own terms. It’s such a small gesture of respect, but it goes a long way.

And if your dog is an avid jumper, another kind thing you can do? Trim their nails and wash their paws before guests arrive. Not only does it protect clothes, but it prevents scratches too. That’s being a considerate host - regardless of if you ever do any training or not. 

Common Mistakes People Make When Trying to Stop Their Dog Jumping Up

Here’s what usually happens when a dog jumps up: most people push them down, grab their collar, or scold them. The problem with this is that for a lot of dogs, that’s still attention. Even if it’s negative, they’re like “hey, you touched me, yay!” And for others, their excitement is so big, they literally can’t stop themselves—even if they wanted to.

Scolding without teaching an alternative isn’t fair to your dog. Training is about setting them up for success before those “oh sh*t” moments with grandma happen. Most pet dogs are bubbling with energy and don’t get nearly enough opportunities to socialize in ways that meet their needs—which makes their greetings extra over-the-top.

And here’s a trainer secret: the best time to teach is before the chaos. That’s when you’ll have patience, your dog can actually focus, and you can set up practice reps where they’re successful. Waiting until they drive you crazy is usually too late for them to “get it” and your patience is already lost.

Now, when those inevitable “oops” moments do happen, your best bet is to make the interaction boring. No yelling, no pushing, no wrestling. Just remove the payoff, reset, and remind yourself—they need more practice getting it "right". The more you practice ahead of time, the less often you’ll be caught in those moments.

Here's What To Do Instead

Step 1: Manage the Environment

Use baby gates or exercise pens to create a little barrier near the front door. This buys you and your guests space so your dog isn’t rehearsing the very behavior you’re trying to change.

Step 2: Adjust Your Expectations Accordingly

Jumping is a long-rehearsed behavior. Think of it as a deep groove in your dog’s brain. It’s going to take time and repetition to carve a new one.

Step 3: Teach an Alternative Behavior

Pick what you’d like your dog to do instead:

• Default sit (great for dogs with no joint issues or if you have carpeted floors)

• Four on the floor (rewarding them anytime all paws stay grounded)

Here’s how to train it:

1. Teach your dog a marker word like “yes” so they know the exact moment they got it right.

2. Get their attention, step back, and either cue a sit or wait for them to keep all four paws on the ground.

3. The second they do it—say “yes” and reward.

4. Repeat for 7–10 reps, then take a break.

5. Slowly add excitement—pat your legs, speak in a high-pitched voice, move around—to “test” them. Mark and reward if they sit or keep paws down.

6. Practice when you come home by rewarding them behind the gate for sitting or keeping all paws on the floor, then again as you open the gate and pass by.

With repetition, your dog learns: calm greetings make the good stuff happen.

Bonus Tips for Extra Success

• Feed treats low to the ground or on the ground directly so your dog stays anchored.

• Do a treat scatter (tossing a handful of treats on the floor) before greeting if your dog is too amped to think straight. Sniffing has a calming effect on their brains and bodies.

• Model your own energy. Take a deep breath, keep your voice calm and slow, and resist the urge to squeal and over-pet.

And hey—if you’re feeling stuck, that’s what I’m here for. I offer:
✨ Private coaching in San Diego
✨ Virtual coaching anywhere (yep, we can work together no matter where you live!)

👉 Book your discovery call today and let’s get your dog on track: Linked Here

And if you want to dive deeper, I shared even more tips and strategies in my podcast episode all about how to stop dog jumping. Give it a listen here: Apple Podcast Link Here