Dogs have a tendency to jump on people when they get excited or happy when someone comes in through the front door. However, jumping on people is an unacceptable trait in any breed—especially if your dog is large or strong enough to injure someone by jumping up on them. The following guide will help you train your dog, regardless of breed, to stop jumping up on people who come inside the home for good.
Do not interact with your dog when he jumps up
The first thing to do is immediately stop interacting with your dog when they jump up on you. Instruct all visiting family, friends and other guests to follow this example. If you interact with your dog when they jump up—even in a negative manner, such as telling them “no!”—then you are giving them the attention that they want. Instead, do not look at your dog, pet your dog, and put your arms down by your sides until they stop jumping. Once they are firmly planted with all four paws on the ground, then you can rewarding them with attention.
Do not allow your dog to be greeted until they are calm
You must teach your dog to associate calmness with being allowed to greet people, whether they are family members (including yourself) living in the household or visiting guests. If you have guests coming, you may want to clip your dog on a short leash or keep them away from the door until they calm down. Once they are calm and no longer trying to jump up, bring them to the guest and allow them to be greeted.
Consider if your dog is getting enough exercise during the day
Sometimes, dogs may be prone to jumping up on people if they have lots of energy and they aren’t getting that energy properly worn down throughout the day. If your dog is not getting enough exercise, they may be more prone to jumping up on people because they simply have too much energy inside them. Increasing your dog’s exercise can help reduce this behavior. You should take special care to have your dog exercise about an hour or two before any scheduled guests as well.
Throw a toy when guests arrive to offer a distraction
In some cases, it will be more helpful to distract your dog when someone comes to the door if they are unable to contain their excitement otherwise. Throwing a toy for your dog to fetch and play with when someone arrives can help distract them from the realization that someone has arrived and give them more time to calm down.
Remember, this behavior is typically a result of your dog feeling excited and happy that you or someone else has arrived home. Do not scream or yell at your dog for this behavior, as this can cause them to feel stress and anxiety; instead, remain patient and firm until they are able to control themselves more effectively.
