From a dog’s perspective, jumping is often just excitement or a way to seek attention. Puppies jump on their mothers to get noticed, and many dogs carry this habit into adulthood. When they see a guest, their instinct is to greet them in the most direct way possible—by jumping up.
But while it’s natural for them, it can be overwhelming for visitors, especially those who aren’t comfortable with dogs.
Many pet parents try pushing their dog away or saying "No!" loudly. But to an excited dog, this is still attention—meaning they might continue the behaviour. Instead of punishing, the key is to teach them that keeping all four paws on the ground gets them what they want: interaction.
a) Ignore the Jumping
The moment your dog jumps, turn away, fold your arms, and avoid eye contact.
Only give attention when they have all four paws on the ground.
b) Reward Calm Greetings
Keep treats handy and reward your dog when they sit or stand calmly as a guest arrives.
This reinforces that staying down gets them praise and attention.
c) Teach an Alternative Behavior
Train a simple command like "Sit" or "Stay" when greeting people.
Ask guests to give treats only when your dog follows the command.
d) Manage the Excitement
If your dog gets overly excited at the sound of the doorbell, practice desensitising them to it.
Use controlled greetings—keep them on a leash at first if needed, so they learn to stay calm before earning freedom.
With consistency, most dogs learn that calm greetings bring rewards, while jumping leads to nothing. The key is getting everyone in the house (and visitors) to follow the same rules—no encouraging jumping one day and scolding it the next.
Would you rather have a dog that greets guests politely or one that turns every entrance into a wrestling match? The training you do today will shape their behaviour for life.
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