Jumping Up on People: How to Train a Polite Greeter

ByJosh Wilson

There’s nothing quite like the enthusiastic greeting of a puppy bounding up to say hello. It’s charming when they’re small, but as they grow, jumping up on guests or family members can become problematic—especially if the puppy is large or the person is unprepared.

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Jumping up is a natural way for dogs to seek attention and interact, but it’s important to teach your puppy how to greet people politely. With consistent training and gentle guidance, you can help your puppy become a well-mannered greeter.

Why Do Puppies Jump Up?

  • Seeking Attention: Puppies quickly learn that jumping gets a reaction—whether it’s petting, talking, or even scolding.

  • Greeting Ritual: Dogs often greet each other by sniffing faces and bodies at standing height.

  • Excitement: Puppies have lots of energy and often jump when they’re excited to see someone.

  • Lack of Training: Without clear boundaries, puppies don’t know what behavior is acceptable.

How to Teach Your Puppy Not to Jump

1. Ignore the Jumping

When your puppy jumps, turn away and avoid eye contact, petting, or talking. Puppies crave attention, and by withholding it, you show that jumping won’t get them what they want.

Only give attention when all four paws are on the ground.

2. Reward Calm Behavior

The moment your puppy is sitting or standing calmly, offer praise, treats, or gentle petting. Rewarding the behavior you want encourages your puppy to repeat it.

3. Teach an Alternate Behavior

Train your puppy to sit when greeting people. Practice this frequently by asking for a sit before allowing your puppy to say hello. Use treats and praise to reinforce sitting as the polite way to greet.

4. Use Consistent Commands

Choose a cue like “off” or “down” to discourage jumping, but only use it if you can consistently follow up with positive reinforcement for correct behavior. Avoid yelling or harsh tones, which can cause confusion or fear.

5. Enlist Help from Visitors

Ask guests to follow the same rules: ignore jumping, turn away, and only give attention when the puppy is calm. Consistency from everyone helps your puppy learn faster.

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Troubleshooting Common Challenges

  • Puppy gets more excited and jumps harder: Remain calm and consistent. If ignoring doesn’t work, use a leash indoors to gently prevent jumping.

  • Puppy jumps on strangers: Practice greeting exercises with friends or family in controlled settings to build good habits.

  • Puppy is persistent: Increase the value of rewards for calm behavior and keep training sessions short and frequent.

Transform your dog’s behavior with Off Leash K9 Training – Madison. As part of the fastest-growing dog training company in the U.S., we offer expert training that helps dogs of all breeds, sizes, and ages achieve top-notch obedience without a leash. Whether you need private lessons or behavior consultations, our proven methods ensure a strong bond between you and your dog. Contact us today at (608) 305-8050 to explore our training programs and start your journey to a well-behaved, off-leash pup!

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