After years of working with rescue dogs, I’ve seen every type of jumper imaginable. From the gentle giant who thinks everyone wants a 90-pound hug to the anxious pup who bounces like a pogo stick when visitors arrive. The good news? Jumping is just excitement, and with patience and the right approach, any dog can learn better manners.
(⚠️Disclaimer: These are general training tips. For severe cases or aggressive behavior, please consult a professional trainer.)
Step 1: Teach an Incompatible Behavior
The key insight here is simple: your dog can’t jump and sit at the same time. I always start with teaching a solid “sit” or “place” command because it gives your dog a clear job to do instead of jumping.
- Practice “sit” or “place” until it’s rock-solid — paws glued to the floor
- Reward calm behavior before your dog even thinks about jumping
- Work on this daily without any guests around first
Trust me on this one — rushing to practice with real visitors before your dog understands the basics is like trying to take a test before studying.
Step 2: Set Up Your Greeting Zone
One of the biggest mistakes I see is letting dogs have free access to the front door during greetings. You’re setting them up to fail.
- Use a leash, baby gate, or exercise pen near the entrance
- This prevents your dog from getting accidentally rewarded for jumping
- You stay in control of the situation instead of chasing your dog around
Step 3: Practice with Fake Guests
This is where the real training happens. You need a friend who’s willing to help and follow your instructions exactly.
- Have your friend ring the doorbell or knock
- Cue your dog to sit or go to their place
- Your friend only acknowledges your dog if all four paws stay on the ground
- The moment your dog jumps, your friend turns away completely — no eye contact, no talking, nothing
Repeat this until your dog figures out the pattern: Four paws on the floor = attention and greetings!
Step 4: Add the “Off” Command
Only introduce this after your dog understands what you want them to do instead of jumping. I’ve worked with too many dogs who knew “off” meant “jump higher” because the timing was all wrong.
- Wait until your dog clearly knows the sit/stay routine
- Calmly say “off” and gently guide them back down
- Reward immediately when those paws hit the floor
Step 5: Make “Place” the New Normal
The goal is to create a new habit: guest arrives → dog automatically goes to their spot → dog gets rewarded. This takes repetition, but once it clicks, you’ll have a dog who races to their mat instead of the door.
What NOT to Do
I’ve seen well-meaning people try these approaches, and they usually backfire:
- Don’t knee the dog — it can cause injury and often just excites them more
- Don’t yell — your dog thinks you’re joining the excitement party
- Don’t let guests reward jumping — even negative attention can be rewarding to some dogs
Quick Troubleshooting
If your dog jumps again right after sitting: You’re waiting too long to reward. Mark and treat the moment they sit.
If they only listen when on leash: Gradually fade the leash over several weeks. Don’t rush this step.
If guests get your dog too excited: Coach your visitors beforehand — quiet voices, slow movements, and no high-energy greetings until your dog is calm.
Pro Tip: Teach a “Go Say Hi” Cue
Once your dog has mastered calm greetings, you can add a release cue like “go say hi!” This tells your dog exactly when it’s appropriate to approach guests. It gives you control while still letting your dog enjoy meeting people.
Remember, jumping isn’t defiance — it’s pure excitement about meeting someone new. With consistent practice and patience, you’ll have a dog who greets guests politely. Most dogs pick this up within a few weeks if you stay consistent.
The rescue dogs I work with have taught me that every dog can learn better manners, regardless of their past. Your dog wants to please you — sometimes they just need clear guidance on how to do it.