Polite Greeting (Jumping)

Stop Your Dog from Jumping

Your dog must have a clear understanding of the behavior you are looking for. In this case, a Sit or Sit-Stay is an appropriate alternate behavior. Be sure that all new people greet the dog calmly so they do not encourage the jumping behavior.

• Start by keeping the dog on-leash or have a leash easily accessible. (When working on inappropriate jumping, do not allow an unleashed dog to greet people at the front door until he can greet them approximately 90% of the time in the sit position while he is on-leash - it will be easiest if you keep a leash near the front door at all times - simply put it on the dog each time someone comes to your door). The goal is to set the dog up to succeed so he can begin to learn that the new non-jumping behaviors are more rewarding than the jumping. 

It is critical that the owners do not allow the dog to jump on guests at all.

• For the training to be successful, they must make sure to stand far enough away from the guest to prevent contact. If they are unable to do this with unexpected guests, then the dog should be put in another room while they open the door to assure that he will not have an opportunity to jump.

If the dog continues to be persistent, it might be wise to use a mat to create a greeting spot or "place" near a door handle where you can direct the dog to go so the dog can be tethered with a leash but that is visible from the door so the dog cannot have access to visitors coming in.  

• Practice Sit-Stays in the greeting spot without guests present until the dog can offer a calm Sit-Stay on cue in the greeting spot.   
• Any time someone comes to the door, have the dog go to the "place" and attach the leash before opening the door. Once the dog understands and can be compliant 90% of the time, it may then advance to Sit-Stays and Down-Stays in this spot without needing the stationing mat or the tether.                                               

Keep in mind that using this exercise will help the dog greet visitors calmly, but the dog may not generalize the behavior as it has only performed in a single location. The owner should now be encouraged to practice with the dog in many locations where guests are likely to be encountered.

If the dog is extremely persistent, you may find that stepping on the leash while it is on the floor and short enough to prevent the jump from the beginning is the best way to go.

Consequences for Jumping
One of the most effective corrections for problem jumping is to remove the very reward the dog is trying to obtain -- attention. To do this, remove any opportunity the dog has for physical contact or eye contact by having the guests turn away from the dog and tuck their hands underneath their arms when the dog jumps.