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Stop Jumping on People

When your puppy jumps up, it's cute. When your 70-pound adult dog does it to your grandmother, it's a problem. Dogs jump to greet faces and get attention — faces are how dogs greet each other. Your job is to teach them that attention only happens when all four paws are on the floor.

Difficulty: easyTimeframe: 1-2 weeks
📅
1-2 weeks
For improvement with consistency
👥
100%
Consistency needed from everyone
🐾
4 paws
On the floor = attention
🚫
0 paws
On you = nothing happens

🎯 Training Approach

Ignore Completely

When they jump, turn away. Cross your arms. Look at the ceiling. Say nothing. Don't push them down (that's contact/attention!). Become boring.

Reward Four on the Floor

The instant they have all four paws down, immediately give attention: pets, praise, treats. They learn: floor = good things, jumping = nothing.

Teach an Incompatible Behavior

A dog who is sitting can't be jumping. Train a rock-solid "sit" for greetings. Ask for sit before any attention or petting. Sit becomes the new greeting.

Everyone Must Be Consistent

If some visitors allow jumping (even once!), you're on variable reinforcement — the hardest pattern to break. Train everyone.

💡 Key Training Tips

1

Turn away and ignore when they jump

2

Only give attention when all four paws are on the floor

3

Teach an incompatible behavior like "sit"

4

Ask guests to follow the same rules

5

Practice with a leash for control

⚠️Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ❌Pushing them down (contact = attention = rewarding)
  • ❌Saying their name or "no" (attention = rewarding)
  • ❌Sometimes allowing it ("just this once")
  • ❌Not training everyone who interacts with the dog
  • ❌Not rewarding the behavior you want (four on the floor)

✅Signs of Progress

  • ✓Your dog responds faster to cues
  • ✓They offer the behavior without being asked
  • ✓Less frustration for both of you
  • ✓The behavior generalizes to new environments

Frequently Asked Questions

I tried ignoring but my dog just keeps jumping. Why?▼
True ignoring means ZERO attention: no eye contact, no talking, no pushing. Any response is rewarding. Also, jumping worked before, so they'll try harder initially (extinction burst) before giving up. Stay consistent through the increased attempts.
How do I get guests to follow the rules?▼
Tell them before the dog approaches: "Please turn away if he jumps, and only pet when he sits." Coach them through it. For difficult dogs, keep them on leash during greetings so you can prevent jumping and manage the interaction.
My dog only jumps on certain people. Why?▼
Because those people reward the jumping! Dogs learn quickly that Person A gives attention for jumping and Person B doesn't. Train the humans who allow it.
Is knee-in-the-chest an acceptable technique?▼
No. It's punitive, can injure the dog, and doesn't teach anything. The dog doesn't understand why they're being hurt. Ignoring + rewarding correct behavior is more effective and builds a better relationship.

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