Jumping up on people is a common behavior problem for many dogs. While some owners don’t mind their dogs jumping up, it can be problematic for others. Jumping can scratch clothing, knock over small children or elderly people, spread dirt on clean clothes, and be intimidating for some people. Fortunately, with consistency and patience, you can train your dog not to jump on people.
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Why do dogs jump?
Dogs jump up for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, jumping is a form of greeting. Dogs are excited to see you when you come home and jump up to say hello. Dogs may also jump up when excited during play or for attention. Less often, jumping may be related to dominance, anxiety, or lack of training.
Greeting
Jumping up during greetings is one of the most common reasons dogs jump. Your dog gets excited when you come home and jumps up to give kisses and say hello. Dogs want to be close to your face to greet you. Jumping up allows them to get closer and interact at your level.
Excitement
Some dogs jump when they get excited or worked up during play or when getting attention. The energy and emotions are just too much, so they jump up in excitement. This is common when you first get home, during playtime, or when your dog wants attention.
Dominance
Less often, jumping may be about dominance. Some dogs jump up to increase their status compared to humans. By putting their paws on your shoulders and getting close to your face, they are asserting their dominance. This type of jumping may be accompanied by other dominant behaviors.
Anxiety
Occasionally, jumping stems from anxiety instead of excitement. Dogs who are anxious or insecure may jump up to prevent you from leaving. The jumping is an attempt to keep you close by. Separation anxiety is one of the more common reasons for anxiety-related jumping.
Lack of training
Many dogs jump simply because they have never been trained not to. If owners allow or encourage jumping when a dog is a cute, harmless puppy, it can become an ingrained habit as they grow up. With proper training from a young age, many dogs learn not to jump up as their default behavior.
Why you should discourage jumping
While jumping seems innocent enough, there are good reasons to discourage this behavior. Training your dog not to jump keeps everyone safer and improves manners.
Safety
Jumping up can scratch skin and clothes or even knock people over. Children, seniors, and people unsteady on their feet are especially prone to falling or injury. Even enthusiastic jumping on younger adults can scratch up arms.
Cleanliness
Dogs who go outside frequently may end up with dirt or mud on their paws. When they jump up, they transfer the mess to your clothes. This causes extra work to clean up the dirty paw prints.
Fear and anxiety
Some people are afraid of dogs, even friendly ones. Large dogs jumping up can frighten people uncomfortable around canines. Even dog lovers may become anxious if jumped on aggressively. Teaching dogs not to jump helps avoid these negative emotions.
Dominance
If jumping is related to dominance, reducing this behavior helps ensure you remain the pack leader. Letting dominant dogs jump encourages more dominant behaviors. Curtailing it helps maintain the appropriate hierarchy.
Social norms
As a society, we discourage dogs randomly jumping on people. Good manners dictate that dogs should not jump up unless invited. Discouraging jumping helps your dog become a polite member of society.
How to discipline a dog for jumping
With consistency and effort, you can teach even an enthusiastic jumper not to jump on people. Use the following methods to discourage the behavior.
Ignore your dog
When your dog jumps, immediately ignore him. Turn away, cross your arms, and refrain from any eye contact or verbal exchanged. Stand still and silent until all four paws are on the ground, then praise and give treats. This teaches your dog jumping results in the loss of your attention.
Positive reinforcement
Reward your dog with treats and praise when he greets you with four paws on the floor. You can also use clicker training to precisely mark the desired behavior. With time, he will learn to default to a calmer greeting when he wants to earn rewards.
Teach an alternate behavior
Teach your dog to sit or go to his bed when people arrive. When you enter, ask him to sit or go to his bed and reward him. With repetition, he will learn to do this first instead of jumping.
Use verbal corrections
A simple verbal “ah ah” or “off” when your dog jumps can help him understand this is undesirable. Praise him when he stops. Avoid yelling, which can increase excitement. A gentle but firm verbal signal works best for most dogs.
Leash control
Keep your dog on a leash when greeting visitors and gently pull down when he tries to jump. Immediately reward four paws on the floor. The leash prevents jumping long enough to reward the proper behavior.
Pet gate
Use baby gates to keep your dog confined when visitors arrive. Open access after he is calm with all four paws on the floor. This physically prevents jumping to greet until he settles down.
Consistency is key
Everyone must use the same training methods for them to be effective. Teach family and friends your dog’s rules. The more consistent you are, the faster your dog will learn that jumping is unacceptable behavior.
Obedience training
Formal obedience training provides a structured environment for your dog to practice appropriate greeting manners. Trainers can work on skills like sit, down, stay, and coming when called. These commands give your dog alternative ways to behave and earn rewards when people arrive.
Private training
Private lessons allow trainers to create customized plans based on your dog’s unique issues. The trainer observes your dog’s behavior and works one-on-one on specific problem areas.
Group classes
Group classes provide both structure and distractions from other dogs and people. Your dog learns to behave properly when excited by additional stimuli. Group settings require more focused attention.
Board and train
Some facilities offer board and train programs, where your dog stays on-site and trains with professionals full time. This allows complete focus on retraining behaviors before the dog comes home.
Tips for discouraging jumping
In addition to structured training, the following tips can help curb jumping habits:
- Exercise your dog before greetings when he is apt to be more excitable.
- Discourage jumping from furniture, since surface height makes it more rewarding.
- Keep greetings low key and calm to prevent excitement build up.
- Reward four paws on the floor with treats and praise during greetings.
- Always ignore jumping and reward calm behavior.
- Use baby gates to keep your dog separate during arrivals.
- Ask guests to turn away from jumping until your dog settles.
- Consider a no-jump dog harness to deter the behavior.
Correcting jumping in older dogs
It’s often easier to prevent jumping from the start in puppies. But even adult and senior dogs can be taught new manners. Be patient, as it may take more time to correct an established behavior. Focus on reinforcing the right thing rather than punishing the jumping.
Reinforce calmness
Older dogs are less excitable and require less training time. Continue rewarding calm greetings with treats, praise, and attention. With consistency, he can overcome the urge to jump.
Obedience training
Formal training is still beneficial for adult dogs. Group classes provide structure and a trainer’s expert guidance on curtailing lifelong bad habits.
Exercise
Make sure your older dog gets sufficient exercise to help minimize excitement and anxious energy. Take him on daily walks or play fetch in the backyard before greeting people.
Refresher course
If your older dog knew the rules but forgot over time, a refresher course helps reinforce those lessons. Use the same training methods you successfully used when he was younger.
Medical causes
Rule out any medical conditions that could contribute to excessive jumping or anxiety, like arthritis or loss of vision or hearing. Treating physical problems helps reduce related behavioral issues.
When to get professional help
Consider contacting a professional dog trainer or behaviorist if your dog’s jumping becomes excessive or you are unable to control it on your own. Severe jumping that leads to injuries, anxiety, or aggression requires expert intervention.
Aggression
If jumping is accompanied by growling, nipping, or biting, seek help immediately. Aggressive jumping can become dangerous and the issue will escalate without proper training.
Extreme anxiety
Dogs with severe separation anxiety or fear may jump and be inconsolable. The extreme distress warrants consulting a veterinary behaviorist to help your dog overcome the anxiety issues fueling the behavior.
Jumping on everyone
Dogs who jump on every person they see despite your best training efforts need additional help. Hire a trainer for complete reconditioning or obedience boarding school.
Jumping on furniture
Dogs who jump on tables, kitchen counters, and other furniture pose safety risks and show a lack of manners. Professional training can help curb the most stubborn furniture surfers.
No improvements
If you do not see a decrease in jumping after four to six weeks of constant training, seek professional help to identify gaps in your technique or motivation issues.
Preventing jumping before it starts
Stopping inappropriate jumping is much easier if you prevent the behavior from developing in the first place.
Train early
As soon as you bring home your puppy or dog, gently discourage jumping up from the start. Reward four paws on the floor instead. Early training prevents reinforcing bad habits.
Socialize properly
Safely socialize your puppy to a wide range of people and environments to prevent fear, excitement, and anxiety. Proper socialization promotes good manners.
Obedience classes
Enroll your puppy in obedience classes by four months old. Group classes teach appropriate manners and self-control from a young age.
Discourage excitement
Do not allow children and guests to rile up your puppy to the point of jumping. Keep greetings and play low key to avoid reinforcing excited behaviors.
Set rules
Establish house rules that no jumping is allowed from day one. Give your puppy an alternative like sit or down. Consistency from the beginning prevents confusion.
Leash manners
Train your puppy right away not to pull and jump on the leash when passing people. This prevents the behavior from becoming habitual as he grows up.
Conclusion
Jumping when excited is a natural canine behavior but should be discouraged for safety and etiquette. With time, consistency, and positive training methods, you can modify your dog’s impulses and teach him to greet properly with four paws on the floor. Remember to enlist help from a professional trainer or animal behaviorist if your dog’s jumping becomes excessive or aggressive. Investing time and effort into training now results in a mannerly companion who greets people calmly.