How to Stop Dogs Jumping Up

Table of contents

It’s normalbut not always easy to live with

You come home, and before you’ve even shut the door, your dog is up on their back legs, paws on your chest, tail wagging. Or you’re out walking, and they leap up at someone passing byno matter how many times you’ve told them not to.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I meet a lot of dogs around Finchley who jump up, whether they’re saying hello, asking for attention, or just not sure what else to do in that moment. For some, it’s a leftover puppy habit. For others, it’s a way of coping when they feel overexcited or overwhelmed.

Jumping up isn’t a sign that your dog is badly behaved or dominant. It’s usually just something they’ve learned works — and with the right approach, it’s something they can unlearn.

This blog will help you:

  • Understand why dogs jump up in the first place
  • Avoid responses that make the behaviour worse
  • Learn reward-based methods to stop dogs jumping up
  • Train simple alternatives like sit or hand-targeting
  • Handle greetings at home and on walks
  • Support your dog through the learning process
    I’ll also share real-life examples from my work and offer ideas for how I can help you through dog walking or puppy visits in Finchley.

Why do dogs jump up?

Let’s look at what’s going on behind the behaviour before we try to change it.

It often starts with attention

Many dogs jump up simply because it gets a response. Whether it’s being patted, pushed away or spoken to, jumping often leads to interaction.

We often reinforce it without meaning to

If someone fusses with the dog or gives them a treat while they’re jumping, it teaches the dog that jumping up gets them what they want.

They don’t know what else to do

Some dogs just haven’t yet been taught a better option. They may be excited, unsure or simply stuck in a habit.

Think about when your dog tends to jump:

  • Is it when you come home?
  • When visitors arrive?
  • On walks, when they see someone they like?
  • When they’re stressed or unsure?

Knowing the context helps you plan what to change and how to do it kindly.

Why you shouldn’t use the outdated knee method

The old advice about raising your knee to stop your dog from jumping up is still passed around, but it doesn’t help in the long term. It might stop the behaviour in the moment, but it risks causing confusion, discomfort or fear, and it doesn’t teach your dog what to do instead.

Dogs Trust makes it clear that the goal should be to reinforce calm, safe greetings, not punish the dog for being excited.

Here’s why I never recommend the knee method:

  • It relies on discomfort or surprise, not learning
  • It can damage your relationship with your dog
  • It may increase anxiety or frustration
  • It does nothing to teach an alternative behaviour

There are kinder and more effective ways to help your dog learn the right thing to do and make it worthwhile for them.

What to do in the moment

When your dog jumps up, it can feel like instinct to push them off or say “no”. But this often gives them exactly what they were looking for: attention.

Here’s what to do instead:

  • Stay quiet and still
  • Turn slightly to the side to reduce stimulation
  • Wait for all four paws to be on the floor
  • As soon as they are, calmly say “yes” and give a treat or praise

Dogs repeat behaviours that get rewarded. If you consistently ignore the jumping and reward the calm, they’ll start to make that choice more often.

Reward-based methods to stop dogs jumping up

The most effective way to change this behaviour is to teach a clear, easy alternative and reinforce it every time. That way, you’re not just telling your dog what not to do; you’re giving them a behaviour that does get your attention.

Here are three things I often train on walks and during puppy visits:

Sit before greeting

A sit is easy to spot, easy to reward, and incompatible with jumping.

  • Practise in calm environments first
  • Ask for a sit before they get close to someone
  • Reward with food, praise or fuss if that’s what they enjoy
  • Build up slowly to more exciting situations

Find it game

Scatter a few treats on the ground when someone arrives or when a greeting is about to happen. This encourages your dog to keep their paws on the floor.

Hand target

Teach your dog to gently bump your hand with their nose. It gives them a task and can be a great way to redirect their energy.

All of these are easy to teach and reinforce in daily life. If you’re not sure where to start, I can help during a walk or a one-to-one session. I use only reward-based, force-free methods, and I’m happy to support you with simple, manageable training plans.

How to handle guests arriving

Many dogs find visitors exciting. That’s when jumping often gets worse, especially if the guest greets the dog while they’re doing it.

Here’s how I help clients manage visitor greetings:

  • Use a lead or baby gate to manage space
  • Ask visitors to ignore the dog at first
  • Scatter a few treats on the floor before the door opens
  • Wait for calm behaviour, then allow interaction
  • Keep greetings quiet and low-key

If your dog gets overwhelmed, let them settle in another room before trying again. Calm greetings often take a few repetitions before they stick.

Practising calm behaviour on walks

Out on walks in Finchley, dogs have less control over what’s going on around them, and that can make jumping more likely.

Here’s what I focus on during my dog walks to support calm behaviour:

  • Keep greetings brief and structured
  • Ask for a sit when someone approaches
  • Reward calm eye contact or four paws on the ground
  • Use space and distance when needed
  • Avoid letting strangers fuss with your dog if they’re excitable

Over time, most dogs learn that walking past people or calmly saying hello is more rewarding than jumping up.

Do puppies grow out of jumping up?

Not without help. Jumping is often reinforced by accident during puppyhood when they’re small, it’s less of a problem, and people tend to fuss over them when they do it.

That’s why I focus on calm greetings during puppy support visits. The earlier we reward paws-on-the-floor, the easier it is to build that habit.

Puppies learn best in short, calm sessions, so I keep practice playful and light.

Real-life example: Alfie the Cavapoo

Alfie, a young Cavapoo I walk regularly, used to jump up every time someone made eye contact with him. Whether it was me arriving for a walk, a passer-by in the park or even his owners getting home, the pattern was always the same.

We worked on:

  • Reinforcing sit with every greeting
  • Using a lead and distance to help him stay calm
  • Rewarding calm eye contact and gentle body language
  • Practising at home with visitors before taking it outside

Now, Alfie chooses to sit when he sees someone newbecause he’s learned that sitting makes good things happen.

FAQ

How do I stop a dog from jumping up on people?

Start with short, structured sessions. Use a lead to prevent the dog from jumping, and reward calm behaviour before the dog has a chance to jump. Practise with friends or family first before trying it in public.

How can I stop dogs from jumping on me when excited?

Ignore the jumping completely. Wait for calm behaviour, even just a second of four paws on the floor, and reward and a cue word such as “yes”. Over time, your dog will learn that calm greetings get them what they want. I also find clicker training can be useful

What’s the best way to stop dogs jumping up at strangers?

Use distance and rewards. Keep your dog focused on you with treats or a cue like “watch me”. Ask strangers not to greet your dog until they’re calm, or skip the greeting altogether if it’s too much.

What if nothing seems to be working?

Change can take time. If you’re finding it hard to make progress, I can help with local support in Finchley, using reward-based training built into daily walks.

Final thoughts

Jumping up is frustrating, but it’s also fixable. Your dog isn’t being stubborn or naughty; they just need help learning a new way to behave.

By consistently rewarding calm behaviour, setting them up to succeed, and giving them clear instructions, you can see real progress. Whether you’re working with a bouncy young dog or an older dog with ingrained habits, reward-based methods work, and they build trust at the same time.

If you’d like support with calm greetings, leading walking, or managing day-to-day behaviour on walks, I’d be happy to help. I offer kind, practical support for dogs and their owners across Finchley.

Resources

Other blog posts