How to Practise Greetings When Your Dog Jumps Up

By Puppy Panic · Beginner training guide · September 2026

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The door opens and your dog springs towards the visitor. Greetings can be exciting, and attention may encourage jumping to happen again. A practical starting point is to arrange a calmer practice situation and reward the greeting you would like to see.

Prepare before anyone arrives

Use a suitable gate or other comfortable separation so your dog cannot rush at guests. A safely handled lead can also help manage access. Practise with one calm adult your dog already likes. Children and people who could be knocked over should not be training helpers.

Tell your helper what to do before bringing the dog into the exercise. A clear instruction is easier to follow than trying to explain everything during an enthusiastic greeting.

Make four paws on the floor worthwhile

Start with your helper at a comfortable distance. While your dog’s feet remain on the ground, calmly reward. Have the helper take a small step closer. Reward again before your dog jumps. If a familiar sit is comfortable and easy for your dog, it can also be an alternative greeting.

If the dog springs up, the helper should calmly step back out of reach. Reset with more distance. Avoid shouting, pushing or kneeing the dog. If the exercise keeps producing jumping, lower the excitement and make the approach smaller.

Practise the situation in small pieces

You can rehearse an approach in the living room before adding the doorway. Later, try the helper entering quietly. Add a knock or doorbell only when the simpler version is comfortable. Plan one change per session so you can tell which part is difficult.

For example, your dog may cope with a familiar person walking in but become overwhelmed when that person talks excitedly. Ask for a quiet entrance next time. Record the setup that worked.

Make household responses consistent

Agree how everyone will greet the dog. A pattern is harder to learn if jumping sometimes brings a fuss and sometimes ends the greeting. Keep rewarding the behaviour you want rather than waiting for a mistake.

If you want a broader practice plan, read the Brain Training for Dogs course details. The seller includes obedience and behaviour resources; compare the format with the support you need.

If jumping involves fear, growling, snapping or unsafe levels of excitement, use separation and get qualified individual help. An online course cannot assess your dog’s behaviour in person.

Training references

• Dogs Trust: jumping up training
• American Kennel Club: teaching polite greetings

Build a foundation: Try our attention exercise. For something to enjoy at home, choose an indoor activity.