training

How to Stop a Dog Jumping Up on People: NZ Guide

5 June 2026

Jumping up is an attention-seeking greeting, not dominance. A simple, positive NZ method to teach four paws on the floor — for dogs and visitors alike.

The quick answer: dogs jump up to greet you and get attention — and it works, because we usually look down, talk to and touch them when they do. The fix is to make jumping up get nothing (no eye contact, no words, no touch) and to make four paws on the floor (or a sit) the thing that earns the greeting. Consistency from everyone in the household is what makes it stick.

Why dogs jump up

It's a friendly, excited greeting — aimed at our faces, like dogs greet each other.
It's been accidentally rewarded by attention (even pushing them off or saying "no" is attention).
Excitement and pent-up energy make it worse.
It is not about dominance — that's an outdated idea.

The method: ignore the jump, reward the calm

1. Remove the reward. When the dog jumps, turn away, fold your arms, no eye contact, no talking. Be a boring statue. 2. Reward four-on-the-floor. The instant all paws are down (or the dog sits), turn back, praise and treat or pat. You're teaching that calm = greeting. 3. Teach an alternative. Train a solid "sit" for greetings — a dog can't sit and jump at once. Cue "sit", then reward with the attention it wanted. 4. Manage arrivals. Greetings (especially at the door) are peak jumping time. Keep a lead or treat jar by the door, ask for a sit, and keep your own energy low and calm. 5. Be consistent — everyone. If one person lets the dog jump, the habit survives. The whole household and visitors must follow the same rule.

Helping visitors

Tell guests the plan before they come in: ignore the dog until it's calm, then greet. Keep the dog on a lead or behind a gate at first if it's very excitable, and reward calm. A well-exercised dog greets more calmly, so a walk or play before expected visitors helps.

What NOT to do

Avoid kneeing the dog, stepping on toes, or shouting — these can hurt or scare a friendly dog and don't teach what TO do. Positive, force-free methods are the NZ welfare standard (SPCA).

When to get help

If jumping is frantic, paired with mouthing/nipping, or the dog seems unable to calm down at all, a force-free NZ trainer can help — and check the dog's exercise and rest needs are being met.

Quick takeaways

Jumping = attention-seeking greeting, not dominance.
Ignore the jump completely; reward four paws on the floor or a sit.
Teach "sit" for greetings and manage the front door.
Everyone must be consistent, including visitors.
No kneeing or shouting; frantic jumping/mouthing → force-free trainer.

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References

SPCA New Zealand, positive dog training, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.spca.nz/advice-and-welfare/
Companion Animals New Zealand, dog care, checked 2026-06-05: https://www.companionanimals.nz/

Important notice

*General training information for NZ owners. Frantic greeting paired with nipping is worth assessing with a qualified NZ trainer.*

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