How to Train Your Dog to Not Jump on You

Puppies and jumping go hand-in-hand. Puppies are small creatures who want to be close to their owners. Puppies often find a means to their favorite people by jumping on them. As puppies grow into larger dogs, the may not grow much taller--or may grow to be quite tall, depending on the breed. No matter the size of your dog, you do not want him jumping on you when you walk into your home, when he is excited to see you, or when he wants something. However, because it is a natural response for your dog, it's a behavior we need to train before we expect it to stop. Your dog may jump on you to greet you. He wants attention and affection and to be as close to you as possible. It is completely natural for dogs to get as close to us as possible while we are interacting with them. The trick with a jumping dog is to train him to greet you with all paws on the floor.

Training a dog not to jump as they are greeting you requires time and commitment. Like any other command, it will require repetition and dedication from you and your dog. Remember, your dog wants to be close to your face, so jumping is a natural greeting to them. Though some people do not mind a dog who jumps to greet, others might not be as excited if they were to walk into your home and be greeted by a dog jumping all over them. A jumping dog could cause injury to their owner, discomfort and injury to a pregnant woman or an older person, and a jumping dog could knock down a child, potentially causing harm as well. Teaching your dog a proper greeting is a crucial part of obedience training as your dog becomes social.

Repetitive training is key to teaching your dog to stop jumping on you and your guests. You will need a commitment of time and a dedication to the effort of teaching your dog not to jump to say hello. Prepare yourself for each training session with treats, a special toy your dog enjoys, and lots of love and praise.