Start with the reason
Jumping is usually a greeting strategy, not stubbornness.
Puppies jump because faces, hands, voices and attention are exciting. Many owners push the puppy away or talk more, but that can still feel like interaction and keep the behaviour going.
A calmer plan changes the setup: reduce the puppy’s speed, delay access until they can think, reward four paws on the floor, and make greetings predictable enough for the puppy to succeed.
Look for the pattern
What owners may notice
Big greetings
The puppy jumps most when people enter, bend down, talk excitedly or move quickly.
Attention keeps it going
Touching, pushing, laughing or scolding may still reward the puppy with contact.
No clear alternative
The puppy has not learned what to do with their body when they want to greet.
A safer setup
What to change first
- 01Set the greeting distance
Use a leash, gate or mat so the puppy cannot rehearse launching at people.
- 02Reward before the jump
Mark and reward four paws down, looking at you, sitting, or moving to a mat before the puppy jumps.
- 03Make access conditional
If the puppy jumps, greeting access pauses. When the puppy resets, access can return calmly.
- 04Coach the humans too
Ask visitors to be boring at first, avoid bending over the puppy, and follow the same greeting rule.
- 05Practise outside real greetings
Train the skill with family first so the puppy has a familiar pattern when visitors arrive.
Keep the scope honest
This guide is general education.
If the puppy is jumping, mouthing, scratching children, or cannot calm around visitors, use an individual plan instead of relying only on advice.
Individual support
When the general advice is not enough
Jumping improves when greetings are planned before the puppy is already excited. Private puppy training can help you set up the home routine and coach family or visitors safely.
