It is important to teach dogs not to jump up on people, but instead to greet them calmly and politely. Jumping up can be a real nuisance, particularly if the dog is muddy, or you are in your best clothes. It runs the risk of someone being scratched or, worse still, knocked over, which could get the dog and owner in serious trouble with the law. Not everyone likes dogs, and certainly those people who do not will not appreciate your dog’s ill-mannered attempts to be friendly. Mastering effective dog training techniques ensures your pet remains a welcome member of the community.
Understanding and Managing Overexcitation
Our dogs tend to jump up on us when they are excited. It is a behaviour that they will have employed when they were smaller to get closer to us, that went unchecked during puppyhood.
If your puppy or dog is very excited to see you—whether first thing in the morning or when you have been out—try to completely ignore your dog before giving it a very casual greeting and a word of praise. Wait until it is calm and has all four feet on the floor. Ignoring your dog means making no eye contact, and you should not speak to them, even to tell them off. Walk past it, put your kettle on, or look out of the kitchen window for as long as it takes for your dog to calm down.
Daily routines often trigger this impulsive behaviour. If your dog gets overexcited and starts jumping around every time you get its lead out, put the lead away again. Do this several times until the dog gets the message that being overexcited only results in no walk. Only proceed with putting the lead on and going for the walk when they remain calm. Each time they get overexcited, go right back to the beginning again, or back to where they were previously successful.
Meal times are another time when your dog is likely to get overexcited and to start jumping around. If this happens as you get the bowl out, put it away again. Only proceed when the dog is calm. Each step is likely to cause them to start jumping again, so go back to the beginning and briefly sit down before starting all over again, or return to where they were previously successful.
Proactive Social Training and Alternative Behaviours
Many of us see a nice dog or puppy and make a bee-line towards it. This can be intimidating for more sensitive dogs, but exciting for those of a more exuberant nature—and with excitement, often comes the desire to jump up. If you see someone approaching you and your dog like this, step in and control the situation immediately.
A highly successful approach involves teaching incompatible behaviours. These are actions that, if your dog performs them, make it physically impossible for them to jump up, such as teaching them to sit.
To teach the behaviours you want around other people, and to prevent your dog from jumping up, it is better to start with your dog on a lead, as this gives you more control. You must also control the people who approach your dog. Pick people that you know will follow your instructions perfectly. Ask them to turn away from your dog, or even walk away when the dog is overexcited, and only greet the dog when it is calm—and strictly on your say-so. When you see someone approaching your dog, ask your dog to sit and reward them for sitting.
In an emergency, when you are not able to control the approaching person or get your dog to sit, turn and walk away with your dog as quickly as possible. Alternatively, throw down a handful of treats at your dog’s feet; if they are busy eating food off the floor, they cannot jump up. Remember, if treats are used, don’t forget to take them out of your dog’s daily food rations, and grade them according to your dog’s stage of learning and the surrounding environment.
Furthermore, do not allow other people to feed your dog treats, or to have a game with your dog with a toy. This can make the approach of any stranger wildly exciting for your dog in the expectation of food or play, and therefore makes them significantly more likely to jump up.
Conclusion
Extinguishing the habit of jumping requires consistency, patience, and a calm environment. By rewarding alternative behaviours like sitting and withholding attention during moments of high excitement, you can teach your dog to greet everyone politely.
Please note that there are many different ways to train your dog, and this is just one method of teaching. If you are ever in doubt about your pet’s progress, please seek professional advice to ensure safety and success.
For more information and structured advice, you can find local training classes with The Royal Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Training scheme. You can also browse a full list of The Royal Kennel Club Accredited Instructors or find an official dog training club near you to get expert hands-on guidance.
References
- The Royal Kennel Club. (n.d.). Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme.
- The Royal Kennel Club. (n.d.). Accredited Instructors and Dog Training Clubs Registry.