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20 October 2025
Few things are more frustrating for dog owners than a joyful pup who jumps up on guests—or even you—every time they see you. While it’s a sign of excitement and affection, jumping can be dangerous, especially with large dogs, and it can become a hard habit to break. The good news? With patience, consistency, and the right techniques, you can teach your dog to greet people politely without jumping.
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Dogs jump for several reasons:
Understanding the “why” behind the behavior is the first step in correcting it.
One of the most effective strategies is negative punishment—removing attention when the dog jumps. When your dog jumps:
Dogs quickly learn that jumping gets them nothing, while staying calm earns rewards.
Replacing jumping with a desired behavior is key. Common alternatives include:
Consistency is essential. Everyone in the household must reward only the correct behavior.
Leash training helps control your dog while practicing greetings:
This prevents reinforcement of jumping while giving you control over the situation.
Dogs learn best through repetition in real-life situations:
Over time, your dog will associate calm behavior with attention and treats, rather than jumping.
Breaking the jumping habit takes time. Key tips:
Remember: jumping is natural for dogs, but with patience, you can teach them a more polite way to say hello.
If your dog is large, overly excitable, or struggling despite your efforts, a professional dog trainer can provide personalized guidance. Positive reinforcement methods are highly effective for stubborn jumpers.
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Teaching your dog not to jump up is about replacing unwanted behavior with polite alternatives. With patience, rewards, and consistency, your dog will learn that sitting calmly gets the attention they crave—without the leaps.
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