Guide: puppy jumping up
Puppy Jumping Up: How to Teach a Polite Greeting
Puppy jumping up is a normal greeting. Dogs jump to reach our faces, and they keep doing it because it gets attention. So the fix is not punishment. Instead, teach your puppy a different way to say hello, such as four paws on the floor or a sit, and make sure jumping never pays.
Why puppy jumping up happens
Dogs repeat whatever earns a reward. The American Kennel Club (AKC) points out that even yelling counts as attention, and that for many dogs being pushed away is simply part of a wrestling game (AKC).
VCA Animal Hospitals adds that dogs jump to get level with a person’s face, and that some anxious dogs jump to relieve stress (VCA).
With a small puppy, jumping looks cute and is easy to reward by accident. Therefore, decide the house rule in the first week.
Method one: four on the floor
This AKC method rewards your puppy before the jump can happen.
- Put your puppy on a leash, and ask a helper to walk toward you.
- Before the helper arrives, scatter a few treats on the floor.
- While your puppy eats, the helper says hello and pets them calmly.
- The helper steps away before the treats are gone.
- Repeat, and make each greeting a little longer.
- Finally, phase out the treats, so the greeting itself becomes the reward.
If your puppy does jump, the helper turns and walks away.
Method two: sit to greet
Once your puppy knows “sit” well, you can use it at the door.
- Clip the leash to something solid, and ask for a sit from a few feet away.
- Walk toward your puppy calmly.
- If your puppy stands up, go back to the start.
- If your puppy stays sitting, greet them quietly. Stop if they get up.
- Make your approach more exciting over time, and practice with friends.
Managing puppy jumping up when visitors arrive
Training takes time, so manage the front door meanwhile. The AKC suggests:
- A gate across the entrance
- A leash on your puppy before you open the door
- A mat or crate to send your puppy to when the bell rings
- Toys or treats kept by the door
In addition, tell guests the rule before they come in. VCA stresses that everyone in the family must follow the same plan.
What not to do about puppy jumping up
VCA is clear that punishment backfires:
- Scolding and pushing still give attention, so they can increase jumping.
- Startling devices, such as water sprays or loud noises, may make a dog afraid of people.
In short, it is better to teach the behavior you want than to fight the one you do not.
Puppy jumping up around children and older relatives
A jumping dog can knock over a small child or an older person, and that risk grows with the dog. So it matters most for larger mixes. See Goldendoodle training.
Until the greeting is reliable, keep your puppy on a leash or behind a gate when vulnerable visitors arrive. See also puppies and children.
Related guides
- Potty Training a Small Breed Puppy: A 30-Day Plan With Crate Training
- Leash Training a Puppy: From First Harness to Loose Leash
- Resource Guarding in Puppies: Signs, Prevention and Help
- Puppy Biting: Why They Do It and How to Stop It
- Crate Training a Puppy: A Step-by-Step Guide
See all our puppy guides, or meet our Havapoo puppies for sale and Goldendoodle puppies for sale.
Sources
- American Kennel Club. How to Stop Your Dog From Jumping Up on People. akc.org
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Dog Behavior Problems: Greeting Behavior, Jumping Up. vcahospitals.com
Sources were checked on October 7, 2026.
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