How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping on People | Battle Bridge Canine LLC | Dog Training in North Carolina
Few things are more endearing than an excited dog greeting you at the door — until they leap into your arms (and knock over your guests). Jumping is one of the most common behavior problems dog owners face, but the good news is: it’s completely trainable.
At Battle Bridge Canine, we help families across North Carolina transform chaos into calm. In this guide, we’ll explain why dogs jump, what not to do, and how to teach your dog polite, four-paws-on-the-floor greetings.
🧠 Why Dogs Jump on People
Dogs don’t jump because they’re “bad.” They jump because they’re excited and seeking attention. In the dog world, getting close to another’s face is a normal way to greet — so when your dog jumps on you, it’s their version of “Hey, I missed you!”
Unfortunately, when you talk to, pet, or push them off, they interpret it as attention — which reinforces the behavior.
To fix it, you must make calm behavior the most rewarding option.
🦴 Step 1: Ignore the Jumping Behavior
When your dog jumps:
Stay calm and turn slightly away.
Avoid making eye contact, talking, or pushing.
Wait until all four paws are on the floor.
Then immediately reward the calm behavior with gentle praise or a treat. This teaches your dog that keeping paws down earns attention, while jumping gets ignored.
🐶 Step 2: Reward Calm Greetings
Reinforce what you do want to see. When your dog approaches politely — no jumping, no whining — mark that moment with a clear cue such as “Yes!” or a click (if using a clicker), followed by a reward.
Dogs repeat behaviors that get them what they want. By consistently rewarding calm greetings, your dog learns that politeness pays off.
🚪 Step 3: Teach “Sit for Greetings”
A solid “sit” command gives your dog something to focus on instead of jumping. Here’s how to practice:
Ask your dog to sit before greeting.
If they stay sitting, reward and allow the person to say hello.
If they jump up, have the person step back and ignore them.
Over time, your dog associates sitting calmly with attention, and jumping with no reward.
🧩 Step 4: Manage the Environment
If you know your dog gets overly excited when guests arrive, set them up for success:
Keep them on a leash or use a “place” command to maintain control.
Reward calm behavior as people come in.
Avoid giving them the opportunity to practice unwanted jumping.
Environmental management prevents setbacks and helps your dog make better choices during training.
🐕🦺 Step 5: When to Seek Professional Dog Training Help
Some dogs need a little extra structure or guidance — especially strong, high-energy, or anxious breeds. That’s where Battle Bridge Canine LLC can help.
We specialize in:
✅ Obedience training for all breeds and ages
✅ Behavior modification for jumping, reactivity, and leash pulling
✅ Confidence and impulse control building
✅ Real-world, distraction-proof obedience
Our customized training programs are designed to strengthen your dog’s confidence, focus, and respect — whether at home, on walks, or when greeting new people.
🏡 Building Better Behavior Starts with You
Training your dog not to jump isn’t about punishment — it’s about teaching them what to do instead. With consistency, structure, and clear communication, your dog can learn to greet guests calmly and confidently.
At Battle Bridge Canine LLC, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
If you’re searching for professional dog training in North Carolina to help stop jumping, leash pulling, or other behavior issues, look no further than Battle Bridge Canine LLC.
📍 Serving families and their dogs across North Carolina
🐾 Specialties: Obedience training, behavior correction, puppy training, and confidence building
📅 Schedule your consultation today!
👉 Visit www.BattleBridgeCanine.com or call 910-988-5346 to get started
📲 Follow us on social media for more tips and tricks: @BattleBridgeCanine
