How to Stop Your Dog Jumping Up at People (Without Telling Them Off)

Muddy paws on your work trousers, a visitor knocked off balance, a child in tears: jumping up is one of the most common things owners want to change. In the Dogs Trust National Dog Survey 2025 it was the second most commonly reported challenge, after pulling on the lead. (Dogs Trust, National Dog Survey 2025)

The fix isn’t about telling your dog off. It’s about teaching them a better way to say hello and making sure that way is the one that gets them attention.

🐾 Photo wanted Paul's dog sitting calmly while a visitor crouches to say hello TODO: replace with Paul's own dog photo

Why dogs jump up

• To greet faces. Dogs often greet each other nose-to-nose, and our faces are a long way up.
• Because it gets attention. Pushing a dog off, saying “down!” or even making eye contact all count as attention. To a dog, any attention can be a reward.
• Excitement. Arrivals and departures are big emotional moments.
• It was cute once. Many dogs were encouraged to jump up as small puppies.

So the plan has three parts: manage the situation so jumping doesn’t get rewarded, teach an alternative, and make sure the alternative gets the attention.

Step 1: manage it from today

Every time jumping up gets your dog attention, it’s practised and strengthened. While you’re training, set things up so it can’t happen easily:

• Use a baby gate or lead when visitors arrive, until your dog can greet calmly.
• Scatter a handful of treats on the floor as people come in. It’s hard to jump up while snuffling for food, and it keeps heads low.
• Keep greetings low-key when you come home. Calmly put your bag down and wait a few seconds before saying hello.
• Brief your visitors: “Please ignore her until her feet are on the floor, then say hello.”

Step 2: teach “four paws on the floor”

You can teach a polite sit for greetings, but many dogs find it easier to simply keep all four feet on the ground. Start when your dog is calm.

1. Stand in front of your dog. The instant all four paws are on the floor, say “yes” and drop a treat on the floor between their front feet.
2. Repeat several times. Delivering treats at floor level keeps your dog’s focus low.
3. Now add a little excitement: take a step back, or say “hello” in a slightly brighter voice. Reward feet on the floor.
4. Gradually build up: crouch down, move your hands, then try it just after you’ve walked in the door.

If your dog jumps, calmly turn away or step back through a door for a few seconds, then turn back and try again with an easier version. No shouting, no pushing off, no knees. The idea is that jumping simply makes the fun pause, while four paws on the floor makes it happen.

Step 3: practise greetings with a helper

Real visitors are exciting, so practise with a “stooge”: a friend or family member who knows the plan.

1. Have your helper ring the bell or knock. Keep your dog on a lead or behind a gate.
2. Your helper comes in and only approaches while your dog’s feet are on the floor. If your dog jumps, the helper turns and steps away.
3. When the feet stay down, the helper crouches to say a calm hello and drops a treat on the floor.
4. Repeat: helper goes out, comes back in. By the fifth or sixth arrival, most dogs are noticeably calmer.

Teaching a “go to your bed” routine for the door

For dogs who go wild at the doorbell, a settle spot can be a game-changer.

1. Put a comfy mat or bed a few metres from the front door.
2. Reward your dog generously for going to and lying on the mat, starting with no distractions.
3. Add a cue (“bed”) and practise until it’s easy.
4. Pair the doorbell sound (a recording on your phone works) with going to the mat and receiving a treat or a long-lasting chew.
5. Build up to real visitors gradually, with the lead or a gate as back-up.

Jumping up at children

Children often move quickly, squeal and wave their arms, which can make jumping up worse. Always supervise dogs and children together. Teach children to:

• Stand still like a tree, fold their arms and look at their feet if the dog jumps.
• Never run away or scream, which can turn it into a chase game.
• Only say hello when the dog is calm and an adult says it’s OK.

If your dog is mouthy, grabs clothes or seems overwhelmed around children, use gates and separate spaces and speak to a qualified professional.

Jumping up at strangers on walks

• Keep your dog on a lead near people until greetings are reliable.
• Ask people to wait for “four paws on the floor” before saying hello. It’s fine to say “sorry, we’re training!”
• If your dog can’t stay calm, add distance and reward them for watching people pass.

What not to do

• Kneeing the dog in the chest, treading on back paws or pushing them off. These can hurt, damage trust and still give the dog the physical contact they wanted.
• Shouting “down!” repeatedly. It’s attention, and “down” often means “lie down” too, which is confusing.
• Being inconsistent. If some people allow jumping and others don’t, your dog will keep trying. Everyone in the household should follow the same rules.

When to get help

If jumping up comes with growling, nipping, guarding or other signs that your dog is worried rather than excited, contact a qualified trainer or behaviourist. The Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) keeps UK registers of practitioners who meet set standards. If a previously polite dog suddenly starts behaving differently, see your vet first.

Quick recap

• Dogs jump up because it works. Make four paws on the floor work better.
• Manage now with gates, leads and floor-level treats.
• Reward low, calmly turn away from jumping, and practise with helpers.
• Be consistent and kind. No knees, pushing or shouting.