Here’s How To Keep Your Dog From Jumping On People

Learning how to keep your dog from jumping on people is essential for keeping your pup safe and well-mannered. When your dog pounces on others, it is not only embarrassing, but it may also be irritating and harmful. Fortunately, you can train your dog not to jump up when meeting new people or when visitors come over. This command should be one of the first basic commands you teach your dog.

Why Do Dogs Jump On You?

Dogs jump up to communicate, frequently to convey excitement or enthusiasm. This is commonly observed when dogs greet their owners, especially when they return home after a long absence. 

It’s also normal for dogs to jump up to gain human attention and affection, particularly if they don’t get much of it during the day. But if a dog jumps up and is not corrected or discouraged, it will most likely repeat the behavior since it has previously been effective.

How To Stop A Dog From Jumping On You?

The first step in figuring out how to stop dogs from jumping on you when excited is to avoid encouraging the habit. When their dogs jump, many people unwittingly encourage this behavior by caressing, embracing, and chatting with them. 

To prevent this, ignore your dog when they jump and only pay attention to them when all four paws are on the ground.

The behavior may be cute when the dog is a puppy, but it can quickly become annoying and overwhelming, especially as they grow bigger. Hence, it’s important to learn how to train dogs not to jump early on.

According to Debra Horwitz, DVM, of VCA Animal Hospitals, those who enjoy this type of greeting can begin by teaching their dogs to settle down and relax before teaching them a verbal command to come up and greet them. This way, you have verbal control over the behavior, and you decide when the dog can jump.

Another way to stop a dog from jumping is to redirect its attention. When your dog is about to jump, give them a command like “sit” or “down” to redirect their attention. You can also distract them with a toy or a treat.

As for how to stop a large dog from jumping on you, you may need to take additional steps. Exercise is important for all dogs, but large breeds, in particular, need plenty of activity to channel their energy constructively. 

Make sure your big pup is getting enough exercise each day—this will help reduce some of their excess energy and make them less likely to jump on you.

Why Do Dogs Jump On People?

We all know that feeling when your dog jumps up at strangers on walks. You’re not sure whether to laugh or scold, and you may even feel embarrassed. So why do dogs jump on people?

As they primarily communicate through body language, dogs jumping on people can be seen as an attempt to get closer and express their desire to interact. Dogs are social animals, and this behavior is rooted in their strong urge to greet new members of their pack.

Often, this is encouraged due to friendly strangers offering them treats in exchange for petting them. Of course, as a responsible owner, you’ll want to check whether the freebie treats are safe for your fur buddy. So if you’ve thought to yourself, “Are clementines safe for dogs?” the answer is yes, but in moderation and excluding the peels.

How To Train A Dog Not To Jump On People?

Learning how to keep your dog from jumping on people takes time and effort. The key is to teach your fur bud that a dog jumping on people is not acceptable. 

Here are some pointers:

1. Training Begins at Home

Teaching your pup impulse control is an effective step toward getting them to stop jumping on people. Practice having them wait before going through doorways, before petting other animals or greeting others, or when giving them commands.

2. Maintain Consistency

Make sure you use the same verbal command and remedial action every time your dog jumps on someone. This will make it clear to your dog that this behavior is not acceptable.

2. Give Positive Reinforcement

Reward your dog with treats, praise, or affection whenever it does not jump on people. This will help reinforce good behavior. Try diverting your dog’s attention to something else, like toys or engaging in games, if it still jumps up on people.

3. Use A Leash

It is critical to keep your dog on a leash while meeting new people. This will enable you to better control your dog’s behavior and quickly correct it if it begins to jump. 

4. Maintain Your Cool 

As with other types of training, positive reinforcement still trumps punishment when enforcing the steps on how to stop your dog from jumping on people. Raising your voice or being enraged can only make matters worse.

Research has found that punishment-based training is counterproductive to instilling desirable behaviors in dogs. It increased problematic behavior without providing many benefits in terms of obedience. Positive training methods are more useful.

So maintain your cool and stick to your orders with a firm tone. If your dog does not listen and continues to pounce on people, gently place your hands on either side of their shoulders and push down until they are in a sitting position. Praise your pup once they are in a sitting position, and give them a small treat as a reward.

Repeat this process each time your dog does the same, consistently using the commands and rewarding good behavior with treats.

5. Inform Others

When your dog jumps on people, it can be embarrassing. To resolve the issue, ensure that everyone, including family members and friends, who interacts with your dog is consistent in enforcing the rules around jumping.

With patience, persistence, and lots of love, following these tips on how to stop your dog from getting too excited will eventually pay off.

Conclusion

Remember that training your pup is an ongoing process, so don’t get discouraged if progress is slow. Every pup learns differently, and what works for one may not work for another. But with continued practice and reinforcement, you can soon have a well-mannered pooch! You can keep your dog from jumping by following these basic training skills.