Jumping Behavior

Jumping is one of the most common (and most frustrating) behaviors people deal with, especially with excited foster dogs. The good news: it’s usually easy to fix once you teach your dog that calm greetings get attention, and jumping gets nothing at all.

The golden rule? Ignore what you don’t want, reward what you do. Dogs repeat whatever works for them, so your job is to make calm behavior the most rewarding option.

What “Ignore” Actually Means

Ignoring isn’t just “not petting the dog.” It means:

No touching, don’t push them off.

No talking, don’t ask them to get down.

No eye contact, even a glance can feel rewarding.

For many dogs, any attention counts as a win. Even yelling “no!” can accidentally reinforce jumping.

What to Do Instead

1. Turn your back

If your dog jumps, pivot away. If they keep jumping, calmly step into another room and close the door for a few seconds. This removes the reward: you.

2. Reward the moment all four paws are on the floor

The second your dog sits or stands calmly, mark it with praise and offer a treat. (Food works incredibly well at first — use it generously.)

3. Ask for a sit if your dog already knows it

If they start to jump and you see the thought forming, ask for a sit. Reward immediately if they comply.

Practicing Greetings

If you have two people:

1. One person holds the dog on leash at their side.

2. The second person approaches.

3. If the dog jumps, the person simply walks away.

4. If the dog sits or stays grounded, they get a treat and attention.

Practice 5–10 minutes a day — lots of short reps make fast progress.

If you’re alone:

• Tether the dog to a secure point.

• Walk toward them, and apply the same rules (walk away for jumping, reward for calm). 

• This keeps the dog from chasing you as you walk off.

In Short

Dogs jump because it works. Remove the reward, reward the calm, and practice consistently, and your dog will quickly learn that polite greetings get all the love.