Let me guess—you walk through the door, and your dog greets you like you just returned from war. Paws flying, tongue wagging, and a full-blown WWE-style leap into your arms.
Adorable? Yes. Practical when you’re holding groceries, wearing white, or carrying a baby? Uh, not so much.
If you’re wondering how to stop your dog from jumping when excited without crushing their spirit, welcome to the right place. I’ve lived through the chaos (thanks to my 80-pound Rottie), and I’m here to help you do the same.
Why Do Dogs Jump When They’re Hyped?
Dogs don’t jump because they hate your shirt or want to ruin your spine. They jump because they’re excited and don’t know what else to do. Especially when they’re puppies, jumping is basically their default setting.
It’s a Natural Greeting
In the dog world, sniffing faces = saying hi. So naturally, they jump up to get to your face. Makes sense, right?
Attention = Jackpot
Every time you look, touch, or talk to them while they’re jumping, you’re rewarding the behavior. Yep, even yelling “NO!” can feel like a win to them.
Jumping Has Worked Before
If your dog has ever gotten a belly rub, a treat, or your attention for jumping, they’ll remember. Dogs don’t forget stuff that gets them the goods.
Step One: Stop Being a Human Trampoline
Let’s start with you. You might be unintentionally encouraging the madness. Here’s what to change:
- No eye contact when they jump.
- Don’t touch them. Not even a finger.
- Turn away like you just saw your ex at the grocery store.
- Cross your arms and stay silent. No yelling. No gasping. Just channel your inner rock.
Why? Because ignoring the behavior sends a loud and clear message: jumping = no fun.
Step Two: Reward the Calm Moments
You’ve ignored the jumping. Great. Now what?
Catch your dog being good.
As soon as those four paws are on the ground:
- Mark the moment with a cheerful “Yes!”
- Treat immediately.
- Give praise, love, whatever your pup adores.
Dogs repeat what works. So if being calm gets them goodies, they’ll figure it out faster than you can say “walk.”
Step Three: Teach an Alternative Behavior
Dogs need an outlet for their energy. So if we’re saying “don’t jump,” we’ve got to say “do this instead.”
My Go-To Replacement? The Sit Command
Ask your dog to sit before:
- Petting them
- Giving them treats
- Greeting guests
Make it their automatic default. Eventually, sitting will become their new way of saying “hey fam, what’s up?”
Pro tip: Practice this in low-stimulation environments first. If your dog can’t sit when it’s quiet, they won’t sit when Aunt Linda busts through the door like it’s a surprise party.
Step Four: Train Your Guests (Yes, Really)
Let’s be honest. Half the battle is convincing your guests not to ruin everything.
Before people come over, give them the drill:
- Ignore the dog until calm.
- No high-pitched greetings.
- Only pet when the dog is sitting or has all paws down.
Honestly, I should print a laminated card and hand it out. The struggle is real.
Step Five: Burn Off That Extra Energy
Jumping often comes from pent-up excitement. If your dog’s been chilling all day and suddenly sees people, it’s game on.
Here’s what helps:
- Morning walks before guests arrive.
- Tug-of-war sessions to drain energy.
- Mental stimulation like puzzle toys or snuffle mats.
My dog LOVES her snuffle mat. She works that thing like it holds the secrets of the universe. And honestly, it gives me a peaceful 20 minutes to drink my coffee. Win-win.
What About Jumping on Walks?
Leash-reactive jumping is a thing. And it’s annoying.
If your dog leaps every time someone passes by:
First, Ditch On-Leash Greetings (Temporarily)
Letting your dog greet everyone mid-walk just teaches them that pulling and jumping = fun social time. Not the message we want.
Second, Use Redirection
Keep your dog focused with:
- Treats in your hand
- A favorite toy
- Quick direction changes
Practice focus commands like “look at me” and “heel.” Make YOU more interesting than whatever’s coming their way.
The Jump-and-Nip Combo (AKA The Chaos Duo)
If your dog jumps and throws in a playful nip? Yep, been there.
Nipping is usually play behavior, but it’s not cute when you’re in a pencil skirt or when it freaks out your neighbor’s kid.
What Works:
- Time-outs. End the play session immediately.
- Leave the room or put your dog in a calm space.
- No yelling. No pushing. Just walk away like a boss.
When your dog realizes biting = end of fun, they’ll chill out real fast.
Too Hyped When You Get Home?
Oh, the coming-home dance. Dogs go wild.
Here’s how to tone it down:
- Ignore your dog until they calm down.
- No touch, no talk, no eye contact.
- Only greet them when their paws are on the ground.
You might feel like a monster ignoring your excited fluffball, but trust me—it works. Soon, they’ll start greeting you like a chill roommate instead of a caffeinated kangaroo.
Leaving the house? The same rules apply. No emotional farewells. Just grab your keys and dip.
TL;DR – Your Dog Isn’t Broken, They’re Just Excited
Here’s the highlight reel:
- Jumping is normal, but not unfixable.
- Ignore jumping and reward calm.
- Teach a better behavior (hello, sit command!).
- Manage your energy AND your guests’.
- Exercise and mental stimulation go a long way.
Be patient. Consistency beats chaos every time.
And hey, don’t beat yourself up. We’ve all been taken out by a tail-wagging linebacker in fur at some point. You got this. 🙂
Let me know in the comments—what’s the funniest (or most embarrassing) jump-attack moment you’ve survived?