If your dog greets guests with a leap of joy, you’re not alone. Jumping on guests is one of the most common — and frustrating — behaviors dog owners encounter. While it may look friendly, this habit can lead to scratched legs, knocked-over kids, or even injury to elderly visitors. Teaching your dog to greet politely isn’t just about good manners — it’s about safety, stress reduction, and setting your dog up for success in all social situations.
Why Do Dogs Jump on People?
Jumping is a natural canine greeting behavior. In the wild, puppies lick and nuzzle the faces of adult dogs as a sign of affection and submission. When your dog jumps on guests, they’re often seeking attention, expressing excitement, or simply mimicking their instincts. Unfortunately, what’s natural for dogs isn’t always acceptable in our homes. Recognizing the motivation — excitement, anxiety, or learned attention-seeking — helps tailor your training plan.
The Problem With Jumping: Why Training Matters
Many owners unintentionally reinforce jumping by greeting dogs with excitement, touching, or even scolding them (remember: for some dogs, any attention is good attention). Over time, this teaches your pup that jumping is the best way to get noticed. To truly solve this, we need a combination of prevention, management, and consistent positive reinforcement.
Step 1: Management – Set Up for Success
Before guests arrive, take steps to prevent jumping from happening in the first place. Management tools like leashes, gates, or The LickMat loaded with Calming LickMix can keep your dog occupied and calm while guests enter your home. For high-energy greeters, try confining your dog to a separate room or behind a baby gate until they’ve calmed down.
- Use a leash to maintain control during greetings.
- Prepare a high-value treat or long-lasting chew, such as a Pupsicle or LickMat Starter Pack, to redirect their energy.
- Ask guests to ignore your dog until all four paws are on the ground.
Step 2: Teach an Alternative Greeting
Training your dog to perform an alternative behavior is key. The simplest and most effective? Ask for a ‘sit’ at the door. This gives your dog a job to do and prevents jumping before it starts. Practice first with family, then with friends, and finally with guests who are in on the training plan.
- Have your dog on a leash when guests arrive.
- Ask your dog to ‘sit’ as the door opens. If they get up, calmly close the door or have the guest step back out.
- Reward with treats, praise, or a lick of Bacon & Cheese LickMix as soon as they sit and stay calm.
- Repeat consistently — and be patient. Success takes time!
Step 3: Use Positive Reinforcement
Never punish your dog for jumping — instead, focus on rewarding the behavior you want. Stock up on healthy treats from the Treats Collection, or use a favorite enrichment toy like the Pupsicle filled with calming ingredients. When your dog greets someone with all four paws on the ground, immediately mark the behavior (“yes!”) and reward them. If they jump, withhold attention and wait for calmness before resuming interaction.
Enrichment & Energy Outlets: Set Your Dog Up for Calm
Dogs are more likely to jump when they’re bursting with energy or anxious. Ensure your dog has plenty of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day. Before guests arrive, offer a walk, play session, or a mentally engaging activity:
- Give your dog a LickMat with Calming LickMix to soothe nerves and occupy them.
- Offer a Pupsicle Pop or Love Nuggets for a long-lasting, healthy distraction.
- Explore interactive toys and enrichment products from our Best Sellers Collection to burn off energy in positive ways.
Remember, a tired dog is a well-behaved dog!
Consistency: Everyone Must Be On Board
The number one reason dogs continue to jump? Inconsistent training. Make sure everyone who interacts with your dog understands the rules. No one — not even your favorite neighbor — should reward your dog for jumping. Keep a jar of Treat Mix by the door for quick rewards when your dog greets calmly.
Bonus Tools: Products That Make Training Easier
- The LickMat & Calming LickMix – Perfect for calming your dog before and during visits.
- The Pupsicle & Pupsicle Pops – Keep your dog’s mind busy and paws on the floor.
- Healthy Treats – High-value, wholesome, and perfect for reward-based training.
Explore our full All Products or shop training bundles to make your training plan even more effective!
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried these strategies and your dog is still jumping, it might be time to consult a professional trainer or behaviorist. Persistent jumping could be a sign of underlying anxiety or a lack of structure in your dog’s routine. Look for certified trainers who use positive reinforcement methods. Remember, every dog can learn new manners — sometimes they just need a little extra support.
Key Takeaways
- Jumping is natural for dogs but can be managed with patience and consistency.
- Use management, alternative greetings, and positive reinforcement for best results.
- Leverage enrichment toys and calming products to set your dog up for polite greetings.
- Consistency from everyone in the household (and your guests!) is crucial.
- Don’t hesitate to seek professional help if needed — a calm, polite dog is possible!
With the right approach and support from effective training tools like The LickMat, Calming LickMix, and The Pupsicle, you can transform your dog’s greetings from chaotic to calm. Every guest will appreciate your dog’s new, polite welcome — and you’ll love the peace of mind that comes with it.
Need more ideas for managing your dog’s energy and behavior? Check out our expert-curated Wellness Collection and LickMix & LickMat guides for even more training inspiration.
