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How to get a dog to stop jumping

Posted Sun, Mar 23, 2008, 8:35 pm PDT

If your dog jumps on you when you arrive home, she is the pack leader. If she jumps on your guests, she is making sure that these new arrivals also know she is in charge.

Here is what you can do to stop this unwanted behavior:

Make sure your dog is receiving adequate exercise. Jumping can be a sign of hyperactivity, which is caused by pent-up energy. Regular exercise provides a positive outlet for this energy.

Practice: no touch, no talk, no eye contact. Don't shower your dog with affection when you walk through the door. In the canine world, reunions are not overly-emotional occasions like they are in the human world. Jumping is often simply an attention-seeking behavior; by providing attention, you are reinforcing the behavior. If instead you wait until when she is in a calmer state, you are sending the message about what behaviors you desire.

Correct bad behavior. If jumping is excessive or even possibly harmful to humans, simply ignoring the behavior may not be enough. Remember, corrections should be immediate -- don't withhold tomorrow's trip to the dog park, or tell the dog she isn't getting a treat later that day. Never hit or otherwise harm your dog -- instead use a firm, physical "touch" correction.

Practice makes perfect. Don't wait until company arrives. Work with a friend or family member to condition your dog to wait patiently in an area your designate when the doorbell rings. Practicing in advance will also help your dog associate the sound with something other than the excited energy of a new arrival. You will be less likely to have difficulty with it later.

Remember, pack leadership is a full-time job. Be consistent!

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497 Comments

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1. Kes - 7:02AM on 03/24/08

The quickest way to stop jumping is to gently use your knee to stop them in mid jump. Just extend your knee in mid jump and make sure you stop them in the chest or upper body. I'm not talking about using the force of an ultimate fighting knee, just enough to push them back down. They get the hint very quickly..much quicker than the "I'm going to ignore you method". Establish that in fact, you are the leader of the pack. If the guest keep getting jumped on, have a friend who visits often use the knee method as well.
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2. bbchinsmaa - 8:08AM on 03/24/08

As a trainer myself for over 20 years, the method that I recommend wholeheartedly, and is completely positive, is to NOT invite the dog up, but wait until the dog does this on it's own. Take hold of the 2 front paws and hold them firmly, tell the dog how much you love him to jump up and how happy you are that they are there. Do NOT let him/her down until their back legs are about to give out. They may decide that mouthing your hand is a good idea......just move your hand out of the way or gently bump them with your hand. It is very important that you educate your family and friends on how to do this, so that it is consistant, as with any other training you may do. The dog eventually remembers how uncomfortable it is when they jump up and it doesn't take very long for them to learn not to jump. I also agree with Cesar......train your dog to wait and seek that calmer state of mind. One must be very careful with the "knee in the chest" method. I have 2 students who were using this method and the dogs (big dogs) jumped so hard into the knee that they were hurt.
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3. Smart Granny - 8:23AM on 03/24/08

KNEE IN THE CHEST!!!!! Shame on you! This can eventually make your dog afraid of you, and yes possibly get hurt. This technique was used when jerking a correction on your dog was an acceptable training method. Times have changed-for the better. Please update your training methods - for your dog's sake.
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4. momiss - 8:41AM on 03/24/08

I have a friend with a large dog who wants to jump on me whenever I visit. I recently started using Cesar's advice on ignoring, and it is working great! If he starts to jump when I come in the door, I just turn my back on him and walk away. The last time I visited, he started to jump once, then stopped almost immediately when I turned away from him. When he calms down, then I say hello to him. Unfortunately, he is badly in need of discipline all around (obviously, not his fault), but at least the jumping seems to be lessening.
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5. Angela - 11:10AM on 03/24/08

I was also told you could take a step back... It was supposed to throw them off balance. But, I found that this worked only somewhat -- with my dogs, it seemed like they just thought it was a game. Oh well... we'll keep working on it.
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6. jncslp - 1:50PM on 03/24/08

You should never kick or otherwise be mean to your dog. They only learn to be afraid and then you get cooperation by instilling fear in them. In the first obedience training class I attended, I was shown how to place the dog on the ground when he/she jumps to show dominance. This worked excellently for my first dog but not my second. I am having a heard time with her as she is a very dominant dog. I will certainly try ignoring her completely. Thanks for the tips!
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7. Kes - 2:28PM on 03/24/08

Your comments are funny. I don't knee my dog on a regular basis smartgranny...it only took a couple of times and they got the hint very quickly and they stopped..after just a couple of times. They are not afraid of me...unless you consider waiting at the top of the stairs with tails wagging away whenever I get home as being afraid of me. Or when they follow me all over the house all the time...is that being afraid of me?? If so, the only thing I may need to update is my definition of afraid. Everyone has their methods. You use yours...I'll use mine. Just trying to help those pet owners who do not have the time to sit fluffy down and have a discussion...with a dog...as to why they keep jumping and how they pretty please wish they would stoppy woppy......
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8. LAVERNE H - 2:38PM on 03/24/08

I am new to the dog world and i have a 5 month old Austrailian Cattle dog and he is always in an exciteable state and does not always listen to me ( he is a rescue dog) He does the basic things sit- stay- lets me know when he has to go outside. how do i get him to listen consistently,(i really can not afford the classes) is there some sort of instructions for the new owner,PLEASE HELP
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9. Pet-lover - 3:45PM on 03/24/08

I hate it when my dogs jump on me. I turn my back whenever they do it. This works great for my big Terrier but the mini Poodle still does even though he can only reach my knee.
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10. Michele M - 9:13PM on 03/24/08

HELP! My dog (wheaten terrier) sits nicely and ACTS as if he is waiting to be petted, however, the first sucker that bends down to pet him, gets a surprise as he jumps up and usually "head butts" them- can't get him to stop this for anything- it's like he does it on purpose- with excellent skill! Please HELP!
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11. Carolyn W - 5:29AM on 03/25/08

I have a Great Pyrenees who is 2 years old. She does not jump on us, nor does she lick you. We started training on her as soon as we got her. Consistance is the key.
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12. a warner - 8:13AM on 03/25/08

I place my hand firmly on the top of the dog's head. This worked with my dog, and the dogs of friends and relatives that haven't been trained how to properly greet people. It can be difficult to get your hand on the head of a particularly energetic and wiggly dog, but once on their head, just press your hand firm enough for the dog to feel a little pressure. Once the dog is sitting politely, I keep my hand on their head on tell them what a good dog they are and how much I like it when they are sitting. It has always worked from the very first time with each dog, but must be used consistenty afterward.
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13. Aya - 1:09PM on 03/25/08

this is for Kes- my vet told me to use my knee, not to inflict pain, but as a block, and a deterrent to his jumping. This had worked on my now deceased collie, but not on my bulldog puppy. I've used a spray bottle, but that only works if he sees it EVERY time, so I guess I'll try the 'turn around and walk away'. If my vets tells me to, I will, as they are PROFESSIONALS, not just a smart granny :)
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14. susanpurple1 - 1:22PM on 03/25/08

My dog is being trained as a service dog, He is a 3 year Pug and behaves beautifully in class when greeted by the instructor. However, when I come home from work is another thing. Evidently he is very happy to see me but jumping continues to be a problem and when I turn away he jumps up anyway. I will continue with the method, also will try hand on head, may not get far with that as he doesn't like anyone to come over his head and ducks out of the way. Never would I try to knee him, might smack him in the face. He's a little love bug and I don't want him afraid of me.
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15. Ganbee - 1:56PM on 03/25/08

Well where do I begin I have a large dog and the knee in the chest thing will not work for me because I am short. I would probably would get hurt before the dog LOL. We got kicked out of doggie kindergarten because he was to possessive of me. He has no contact with other people other than adult family members and can be a little skiddish at times. I do want to introduce him to my grandchildren. Ages 22mos to 10yrs. Any suggestions.
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16. lucy - 3:26PM on 03/25/08

my hubby's Havenese loves to jump and greet (not my favourite thing) but worse habit is a marking on carpet or guests shoe. Have tried holding her until guests are settled. works until guest decides to pick up or pet Susie. Any hints on to stop her wetting in excitment...she is over 5 years of 10 pounds of energy. She will sit on command (from me) and does a great job hiding herself when we are going out! she lately has to be penned as she wets the front door rug, so we can find home we were told. bad bad
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17. jumnkman - 4:46PM on 03/25/08

Ganbee Dogs are social Animals and need constant socualizing. It would have been great if you would have started socializing your pooch when they were young, however it is never too late. I would recommend interacting your dog with as many people , dogs , pigs, horses as possible,. I think you get the idea.
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18. thepatchouliprincess - 7:51PM on 03/25/08

I have read about the 'knee in the chest' method, and used it three times on my German Shepherd mix pup. The third time she grabbed my lower leg with her front legs and barked in a sassy way at me. She thinks it's another game. Think I'll try the 'hand on the head' method next.
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19. malu b - 10:44PM on 03/25/08

I think i will try the no eye contact and turning my back away from our Labrador and Golden Retriever. But these two pets of ours are so lovable but they behaved when they are unleashed and follow me when i called them to be tied again. The latter one likes more to be touched, hugged and kissed as often not like the Labardor who doesnt want to be pat on his forehead and would shone away your hand evertime when touched any part of his body. But their mother which is a Golden Retriever, have no complaint she is disciplined and lovable pet.
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20. malu b - 10:53PM on 03/25/08

What can you give advise on how to treat these too much barking of our Japanese Spitz pets? They do that everytime they hear something entering and/or clicking of the handle of the gate. We will try also the turning back and no attention attitude towards them.
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21. malu b - 10:53PM on 03/25/08

What can you give advise on how to treat these too much barking of our Japanese Spitz pets? They do that everytime they hear something entering and/or clicking of the handle of the gate. We will try also the turning back and no attention attitude towards them.
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22. malu b - 10:53PM on 03/25/08

What can you give advise on how to treat these too much barking of our Japanese Spitz pets? They do that everytime they hear something entering and/or clicking of the handle of the gate. We will try also the turning back and no attention attitude towards them.
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23. Cav - 6:18PM on 03/26/08

What exactly does Caesar mean by, " a firm physical touch correction" as a remedy for jumping up on people?
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24. Susan - 9:19AM on 03/27/08

Cav- I was waiting for someone to ask this question, Bravo! The firm physical touch correction does two things. First, it is used as a consequence for the unwanted behavior. Second it snaps the brain out of focusing on what it's doing. Using your hand, with fingers representing the teeth, give a firm "bite" with your hand to the side of the ribcage. Cesar always does this with the same intensity or one level more to match the dogs level of intensity. Another important thing is never back away from the dog, the dog must back away from you. Pack leader always moves forward! So you can practice this by simply moving towards your dog and making them move. Even if this means you are walking into them, they will move out of the way. Just another way to assert you are in charge and they must defer to you. Hope this helps!
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25. kimmie - 10:23AM on 03/28/08

well dog lovers i have a 16 month old shih-tzu which never jumps. but i have a 4 yr. old pomeranian that jumps when ppl he knows come to the door. he is so excited to see them. he does not jump on me but selected few of my company that he knows. i think it is pretty smart on his part to know who he likes and who he is excited to see ya know. well i just scold him when he does this and he goes on about his business. ppl don't take everything so serious cause if he is jumping he is excited about see you that means he loves you......huh? just something to think about. i am not smartgranny that has to take everything to heart. gawd!!!!!!
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26. phrannie - 6:36PM on 03/28/08

I've always used the "ignore" method, from the moment a pup enters my house....unfortunately, it wasn't until I started watching Cesar's show, that I realized I'd failed in the no "eye contact" part....none the less, it worked then....and it works even better now.... The idea of kneeing a youngster in the chest, or holding him up till he can hardly stand any longer, would seem unnecessarily stressful and possibly injurious to undeveloped soft tissue and joints.... Not to mention, it's not "natural"....it's teaching a dog something from the human perspective, when he'll get it much better doing it from his perspective.
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27. phrannie - 6:54PM on 03/28/08

The "firm physical correction" is one step further than the a "firm vocal correction" it could be a jerk on the leash, or what I call "Cesar's Bite"....using your fingers as your "teeth".
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28. keep_smiling_4011 - 7:46PM on 03/28/08

We have two dogs and the smaller one has always jumped up at people and we discovered that when the door bells rings I give them a comman to sit and my company comes in. Then the dogs come and check them out with out jumping on them.
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29. Cha-Cha - 7:19PM on 03/29/08

I have a great dane that jumps up and pees at the same time. He has soak several of my friends with pee and slobber, short of giving them rain coats and boots I don,t know what to do. Has any one else had this problem.? My friends don't want to come over unless I keep River outside. HELP.!
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30. phrannie - 9:14PM on 03/29/08

Cha-Cha.....I got this mental picture of a Great Dane giving his unforgettable greeting to your company, and then almost fell off my chair when you said his name is "River"....LOL.... I think you're going to have to teach River that YOU own that door....that he's going to have to stay behind you, like several feet behind you....until the company has entered your home....Let them know that he's in training....so no talking to him, no eye contact, etc...until things are settled. His peeing is submissive peeing, so not a punishable offense. You didn't say how old he is, but it sounds like he's young and exuberant..... Do you have a friend, or hubby who can help you with the door thing? Someone who can knock, so you can have some practice at owning the door??
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