Training your dog not to jump on people is an important part of responsible pet ownership. Jumping up can be dangerous, especially for small children and elderly people, and it can be embarrassing in social situations. Fortunately, there are several techniques you can use to teach your pup to stay on the ground when they meet new people.
The first step is to make sure that jumping up does not get rewarded. If you give your dog attention or treats when they jump up, they will think that this behavior is acceptable and will continue to do it. Instead, ignore them until all four paws are on the ground. Then you can offer praise or treats for good behavior.
It’s also helpful if everyone your dog meets helps reinforce the rule of no jumping up. Ask visitors to turn away from your pup and wait until all four feet are on the ground before giving them attention or a treat. This way, they’ll learn that jumping up won’t get them what they want and will stop trying it with new people.
If your pup gets frustrated because they’re not getting their way, try redirecting their energy with a game or toy instead of scolding them. You can also teach them a mutually exclusive behavior like sitting or lying down so that instead of jumping up, they automatically perform an alternative action when meeting someone new.
Finally, if you have guests coming over who don’t know how to handle a jumping pup, put them on a leash so you can better control the situation and prevent any accidents from happening. With consistent training and reinforcement from everyone around them, your pup will soon learn that jumping up isn’t acceptable behavior and will stay off their hind legs when meeting new people!