Jumping is natural excitement — but no one likes muddy paws on their clothes.
Here’s a quick, actionable guide to teach your dog to greet calmly.
(⚠Disclaimer: General tips only; consult a trainer for severe cases.)
Step 1: Teach an incompatible behavior
- “Sit” or “place” keeps paws on the floor
- Reward calm greeting before your dog jumps
- Practice daily without guests first
Step 2: Manage the greeting zone
- Use leash, baby gate, or pen by the door
- Prevents accidental reward for jumping
Step 3: Fake guest practice
- Friend rings doorbell
- Dog sits / goes to place
- Friend greets only if paws stay down
- If dog jumps → guest turns away silently
Repeat till dog learns: Four paws = hello!
Step 4: Teach “off” cue
- Use only after your dog knows what you want
- Calmly say “off,” guide down, reward when paws on floor
Step 5: Make “place” the default
Dog learns: guest arrives → run to mat → get treat.
Don’t:
- Knee the dog
- Yell
- Let guests reward jumping
Troubleshooting quick fixes:
| Problem | Quick tip |
|---|---|
| Dog jumps again after sitting | Shorter sit; reward faster |
| Only listens on leash | Fade leash slowly |
| Guests hype dog up | Coach guests: quiet, slow greeting |
Pro tip: Add a cue
“Go say hi!” tells your dog when greeting is allowed.
✅ Conclusion
Jumping is excitement, not defiance.
Teach what to do, reward calm, and you’ll have polite greetings in weeks.