Most dogs jump up to get our attention, especially when they’re excited to see us. But sometimes, it’s also their way of telling us they’re worried about something. Jumping up can become a way for dogs to release excited or nervous energy, and they may keep doing it over and over.
Dogs tend to do what works for them, so if they get attention whenever they jump up, they’ll keep it up. We often encourage jumping when puppies are small and cute, but that can confuse them as they grow, especially when we don’t want them jumping anymore.
Don’t worry if your dog does this! You can definitely teach them not to jump up. Here are some tips to help you stop this behavior.
Don’t respond if your dog does jump up
If your dog jumps up at you, try not to react at all. Stay calm and quiet, and wait for them to stop. Once all four paws are back on the ground, you can reward them.
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Paws on the floor is best
Your dog needs to learn that jumping up won’t get them anything, but keeping all four paws on the floor will. Make sure to praise them when they keep their paws down, especially when they’re most likely to jump.
To help with this, think of situations where your dog usually jumps up. Be ready to interact with them before they do. For example, when you come home from work, keep some treats or their favorite toy handy. This way, you can engage with them right away before they start jumping.
Don’t tell your dog off for jumping up
Telling your dog off or saying “no, get down” when they jump up might actually encourage the behavior for some dogs. They might enjoy getting your attention, even if it’s negative. Some dogs find this rewarding because they get you to look at them, talk to them, or touch them. For others, being scolded can make them anxious or confused, and this could cause them to jump up more as a way of trying to fix things. So, it’s best to stay calm and not respond when they jump.
Do persist with your training
When you stop responding to your dog’s behavior the way they expect, they might try the same thing even harder to get the reaction they’re used to. It can be frustrating, but don’t worry – this is just part of the learning process. Stick with it and stay consistent with the training. Over time, your dog will realize that jumping up doesn’t work anymore, and they’ll start to learn better and safer ways to behave.
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Don’t forget, consistency is key
If you stay consistent, your dog will quickly figure out what gets your attention and what doesn’t. If you’re not consistent, they might get confused and try different things to see what works. Make sure everyone in your household is on the same page with the training. It’s also a good idea to give any visitors a heads-up on how to interact with your dog before they arrive.
Teach your dog to sit when meeting people
Have a friend or family member help with this training. Ask them to walk towards you and your dog. When they get close, stop a little ways away and ask your dog to sit. Keep some really tasty treats on hand to reward them. As long as your dog keeps all four paws on the floor, keep rewarding them with treats while you chat with your helper. Your friend can also reward them and give them attention.
If your dog gets excited and jumps up, stay calm and don’t engage. Just wait quietly until they stop jumping, and then reward them immediately. Don’t try to make them sit again when they’re that excited—it’s more effective to wait for them to realize that jumping doesn’t get them any attention.
If your dog knows that sitting is the way to get attention when people approach, they’ll eventually start sitting automatically. For active dogs, sitting can be tough, so you can try something else, like having them hunt for treats on the ground. They won’t be able to jump up if they’re focused on finding treats.
For this, have your friend help again and get some of your dog’s favorite treats, chopped up into small pieces. When your friend approaches, make a big deal about scattering some treats on the ground for your dog to sniff out. They’ll get rewarded for keeping all paws on the floor. You and your friend can chat while your dog hunts for the treats. When your dog has found them all and starts looking up, your friend can start dropping more treats for your dog to find.
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Make sure you’re always prepared
If you want to stop your dog from jumping up on walks, make sure you bring plenty of their favorite treats with you. This will help them behave nicely when you run into someone. You can reward them for sitting calmly, or scatter some treats for them to sniff and enjoy while you chat with the other person.
