How to stop your dog from jumping on people is something every dog owner should learn early on. A jumping dog might seem cute—until muddy paws hit clean clothes or grandma nearly gets knocked over. Whether it’s out of excitement, attention-seeking, or habit, jumping on people is a behavior that needs correction, especially as your dog gets older and stronger.
The good news? You can teach your dog to greet people politely using simple, consistent techniques. In this guide, we’ll walk you through why dogs jump, and how to stop it using easy, force-free methods that work for dogs of all ages.
Why Dogs Jump on People
Jumping is often a natural greeting behavior. In the wild, pups nuzzle adult dogs’ faces—it’s instinctive. In your home, jumping can mean:
- Excitement when someone comes in
- Seeking attention or affection
- Lack of impulse control
- Reinforced behavior (people pet or talk to them when they jump)
Important: Your dog is not being dominant—they just haven’t learned a better way to say hello.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Stop Dog Jumping
Step 1: Ignore the Jumping (Yes, Really)
Dogs repeat what gets them attention. If jumping = praise, eye contact, or even scolding, it’s being rewarded.
What to do:
- When your dog jumps, turn your back immediately
- Don’t look at, touch, or talk to your dog
- Wait until all four paws are on the ground
- Then calmly give attention or reward
Be consistent: Everyone in the household must follow this rule.
Step 2: Teach an Incompatible Behavior
The best way to stop an unwanted behavior is to replace it with a better one.
Train a new “greeting habit”:
- Ask for a sit when someone approaches
- Only reward when your dog stays sitting
- If they get up to jump, stop the greeting and turn away
- Try again until they stay seated
With repetition, your dog learns that “four on the floor = hello,” but jumping = no fun.
Step 3: Use Leash and Barrier Control for Practice
Set up controlled greetings with friends or family.
Practice steps:
- Keep your dog on a leash at first
- Have the person approach slowly
- Ask your dog to sit—reward when they stay seated
- If they jump, the person immediately turns and walks away
This builds success before facing real-life situations.
Step 4: Reinforce Calm Greetings Every Time
Whether you’ve been gone for 10 minutes or 10 hours, greet your dog only when they’re calm.
Tips:
- Ignore over-the-top greetings—wait it out
- Reward calm behavior quietly
- Encourage others to do the same (no hyping up the dog)
- Teach a cue like “go to your place” when guests arrive
You’re teaching your dog that calm = attention, not chaos.
What Not to Do
- ❌ Don’t knee your dog in the chest—this can injure or confuse them
- ❌ Don’t push them away or yell—this is still attention
- ❌ Don’t let guests encourage jumping “just this once”
- ❌ Don’t expect overnight success—it takes practice!
Tools That Can Help (If Used Kindly)
- Front-clip harness: gives you more control during greetings
- Tether or gate: manage space during high-excitement situations
- Place mat: train your dog to wait calmly while guests arrive
- Clicker or marker word: to reinforce desired behavior clearly
Remember: tools support training—they don’t replace it.
Special Tip for Puppies
Puppies naturally jump—it’s part of development. Begin teaching polite greetings early with soft correction and lots of praise for sitting calmly. This prevents jumping from becoming a long-term habit.
Conclusion
Final Thoughts on How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping on People
Stopping your dog from jumping on people doesn’t require force—it just takes patience, consistency, and rewarding calm behavior. By teaching a new way to greet, and managing excitement triggers, you’ll help your dog become polite, well-mannered, and welcome everywhere they go.
Need a printable behavior tracker or greeting checklist? Visit our Dog Manners Toolkit for free training resources.