How to Stop a Dog From Jumping on People

Jumping is one of the most common dog behavior challenges—and one of the most misunderstood. If your dog jumps on you when you come home, during daily routines, or whenever excitement shows up, the issue isn’t disobedience.

It’s a lack of calm structure.

At Forging Bonds Dog Training, we help dog owners across Madison, WI and surrounding areas stop jumping behavior by starting where most training skips ahead: leadership, boundaries, and calm expectations, long before commands are layered in.

This post is the foundation. Before addressing guests, your dog must first learn how to remain calm around you. This article is part 1 of our Teaching Calmness series, where we focus on building calm, respectful behavior through leadership and structure.

Why Dogs Jump on People

Dogs jump because:

• Excitement overwhelms impulse control

• Attention (even negative attention) is rewarding

• No clear rules exist during daily interactions

• Jumping has worked for them in the past

From your dog’s perspective, jumping is communication—not defiance.

Why Jumping Is Often Reinforced Without You Realizing

Most owners unintentionally reward jumping by reacting.

Common reinforcements include:

• Talking to the dog

• Pushing them away

• Making eye contact

• Laughing or engaging emotionally

Even saying “no” can be rewarding if your dog is seeking interaction. The dog learns:

Jumping gets a response.

To stop jumping, calm behavior must become the fastest way to earn attention.

Calm Leadership Is the Starting Point (Not Commands)

Many training approaches jump straight to obedience:

• “Sit” for greetings

• “Place” when excited

• Treats to manage behavior

These tools can be useful—but not before a foundation is built.

Before commands can work, dogs need:

• Clear household rules

• Consistent boundaries

• Calm, predictable leadership

• Practice settling during everyday moments

Without this foundation, commands break down the moment excitement increases.

Step 1: Set Boundaries Around Everyday Jumping Triggers

The most effective way to stop jumping is to address it during low-distraction daily routines.

Feeding Time

If your dog jumps or crowds while food is being prepared:

• Pause the process

• Wait for calm behavior

• Resume only when your dog is settled

This teaches: calmness controls outcomes.

Walks and Leash Time

Dogs often jump when they see the leash because excitement takes over.

• Do not proceed until your dog is calm

• Wait for all four paws on the floor

• Move forward only when energy is controlled

Coming Home

When you return home:

• Avoid excited greetings

• Ignore jumping completely

• Offer attention only once your dog is calm and grounded

This moment is one of the most powerful daily training opportunities.

Step 2: Reward Calm Behavior, Not Excitement

Stopping jumping isn’t about punishment—it’s about clarity.

To reinforce calm behavior:

• Wait for calm, then give attention

• Keep greetings neutral

• Remove attention if excitement returns

• Be consistent every time

Over time, your dog learns:

Calm behavior works. Jumping doesn’t.

Why This Foundation Matters Before Guests Are Involved

Guest greetings are high-distraction environments:

• New people

• New scents

• Elevated energy

• Unpredictable movement

If a dog hasn’t learned calm behavior during daily routines, they will not suddenly succeed when guests arrive.

This is why guest training always fails when the foundation is skipped.

Commands Come Later—After Calmness Is Learned

Once a dog understands:

• Household rules

• Calm expectations

• Human leadership

…then obedience tools like “place” become reliable and effective.

That’s exactly what we’ll cover next.

Up Next: How to Stop Your Dog From Jumping on Guests

In Part 2 of the Teaching Calmness Series, we’ll show you:

• How leadership makes “place” effective

• How to prevent jumping before guests enter

• How to create calm, respectful greetings at the door

👉 Read our next post: How to Stop Your Dog From Jumping on Guests

Professional Dog Training in Madison, WI

If you’re searching for:

• How to stop a dog from jumping on people

• Dog trainer near me

• In-home dog training Madison WI

• Calm leadership dog training

• Help with overexcited dogs

Forging Bonds Dog Training offers private, in-home training that builds calm structure first—then layers obedience that holds up in real life.

📍 Serving Madison, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, Middleton, Fitchburg, Verona, Monona, and Stoughton
📞 Call or Text 608-597-0800

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