Why a dog jumps on people and how to stop it
- chinartekchandani
- May 8
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 minutes ago
Jumpers! Sometimes it’s cute but other times it can be scary or overbearing — especially if the person in front of you is scared of dogs, or the dog is huge, or if your dog is trying to jump on a child. It can really startle them.
I have quite a few jumpers around me. My dog Pepper jumps on small kids out of excitement or to lick their faces. She’s a smaller dog, so most adults kinda like it — but kids don’t. There’s another dog around me, his name is Parle. He’s huge, and when he jumps, he also sort of tries to bite you playfully — like he’s trying to show love and excitement, but most people don’t like that.
The first thing we need to do here is: understand why a dog would probably want to do that.
They’re saying hello.
Jumping is often their way of greeting — they want to get closer to our faces because that’s how they’d naturally say hi. Licking your face? Just another way of showing love.
They’re excited.
Most dogs jump when they’re bursting with energy. This could happen when you come home, a guest arrives, it’s walk time, or they spot treats in your hand.
They’re seeking attention.
Jumping gets a reaction — even if it’s just you saying “no” or pushing them away. To them, any response = attention.
They’re acting out of fear or aggression.
Though extremely rare, some dogs jump because they feel threatened. It’s usually fear-based, especially toward strangers. If you notice tense body language or lunging, it’s best to talk to a certified trainer or behaviourist.
How to Stop an Excited Dog from Jumping
Pepper challenging me. (PS - Her jumping has reduced massively) Teaching your dog not to jump takes consistency, patience, and the right approach. Some things will help — and some can make it worse — so it’s important to know what to do and what to avoid.
1. Ignore the Jumping
The first step? Don’t reward the behavior with attention. As soon as your dog jumps:
Turn your back, cross your arms, and say nothing.
If they follow you and keep jumping, keep turning away.
Once they stop and have all four paws on the ground, then you can greet them calmly.
Another option: simply leave. If your dog jumps when you walk in the door, walk back out. Try again after a few seconds. Keep repeating this until they realize jumping gets them nothing.
2. Reward Calm Greetings
Keep treats nearby and be ready to reward the moment your dog stays grounded. Praise them too — just stay calm. High-energy responses can actually excite them more and trigger another jump.
3. Practice the Situation
Set up mini practice sessions. If your dog jumps most when you get home, rehearse walking in and out a few times a day. Each time they stay down, reward them. If they jump, leave again.
4. Teach Them to Sit Instead
Once they’ve started learning that jumping doesn’t work, add in a “sit” cue. Walk in, say “sit,” and reward the moment they follow through. Over time, they’ll sit automatically when you come through the door.
5. Get Others Involved
Dogs are smart — if only you discourage jumping, they’ll keep doing it with everyone else. Ask family and friends to practice the same steps: ignore the jumping, reward the calm.
What Not to Do
Avoid harsh corrections like kneeing the dog in the chest or yanking on a leash. These can cause injury, damage trust, or even make your dog think you're playing — which might actually encourage more jumping. Worse, punishment can create fear or anxiety, leading to bigger behavioural problems later on.
At the end of the day, jumping isn’t your dog being “bad” — it’s just their way of showing excitement, love, or asking for your attention. With a little patience, the right training, and consistency from everyone they interact with, your dog will learn that keeping all four paws on the floor is the way to go. Whether it's little Pepper or big ol' Parle, every dog can learn better manners with the right guidance. And trust me — the calm, polite greetings are totally worth the effort.
