How to Stop a Dog From Jumping When Excited — Simple Steps to Fix It
Ever walked through the door after a long day and your dog launches themselves at you like a furry missile? I’ve been there. It feels cute for the first five seconds, but when you’re juggling groceries, wearing work clothes, or greeting guests, that jumping gets old fast. The good news? You can absolutely teach your dog to stay calm and grounded—and honestly, it’s easier than most people think.
I figured this out with my own energetic pup, Luna. She used to bounce like a pogo stick anytime someone glanced in her direction. Now? She waits patiently with her tail doing that helicopter-spin thing. I promise—your dog can get there too.
Let’s walk through how to stop a dog from jumping when excited without losing your mind (or your clean shirt).
Why Dogs Jump & How to Stop a Dog From Jumping When Excited
It’s Not Bad Behavior—It’s Puppy Logic
Dogs jump because it works for them. They want attention, and jumping usually gets it. You look at them, talk to them, maybe even push them down (which counts as attention to them). They think, “Sweet, mission accomplished!”
They also do it because excitement has to go somewhere. Ever felt too hyped and just had to move? Dogs don’t exactly meditate their excitement away—jumping feels natural.
According to the American Kennel Club, dogs jump because they’re seeking attention and excitement.
They Learned It Works… Even Accidentally
Ever kneeled down as a puppy ran into your arms? Yeah, me too. We accidentally reinforce jumping early on. No blame—we all do it. But once you realize why they do it, you can teach a different way to say, “Hi, I missed you!”
Using healthy, simple homemade treats helps reinforce calm behavior during greeting practice.
Step One: Remove the Reward for Jumping
Ignore the Jumping (Yes, Seriously)
I know—ignoring your dog when they act like you’re their long-lost soulmate hurts your heart. But trust me: attention fuels jumping.
Next time your dog springs up:
- Turn your body to the side
- Look up—no eye contact
- Keep your hands to yourself
- Stay silent
Ever wondered what happens if your dog doesn’t get a reaction? They stop trying.
Key tip: The second all four paws hit the floor, praise like crazy. Dogs repeat what gets rewarded.
Stay Consistent
If you sometimes ignore jumping but sometimes pet them, you confuse them. Consistency isn’t magic—it’s science.
Step Two: Teach an Alternative Greeting
The “Sit for Attention” Rule
Want instant improvement? Train your dog to sit to say hi. Sitting becomes the magic key to attention.
What I do with Luna:
- She runs up
- I stand still
- She plops into a sit
- I greet her like she won the lottery
Boom. Calm greeting, no jumping.
I love pairing this with DIY training reward snacks to keep focus high without overfeeding.
Why this works: Dogs can’t sit and jump at the same time.
The “Four on the Floor” Cue
Sometimes your dog won’t sit right away. No problem. Just reward them when all four paws are on the ground.
Use short praise like:
- “Good feet down!”
- “Nice calm!”
Then offer petting or treats.
Small behaviors rewarded become big habits.
Step Three: Control the Chaos When Guests Arrive
Plan for Visitors
Guests are like excitement fuel.
Before someone enters:
- Put your dog on a leash
- Ask for a sit or “place” (their bed works great)
- Reward calm behavior
Then let the greeting happen only when they’re settled.
I once had a friend who couldn’t handle my “training rules” and tried hyping Luna up. Guess who sat awkwardly staring at the wall until Luna calmed down? Them.
Your house, your rules.
Create a Calm Entry Routine
Do this every time someone comes home:
- Dog gets excited
- Person pauses at the door
- Dog settles or sits
- Then attention happens
You teach your pup that calm = love.
Step Four: Reinforce Calm Energy Daily
Exercise = Fewer Jumping Rockets
A tired dog listens better. If your dog has energy exploding out of their tail, they’re way more likely to launch themselves at you.
Try:
- Daily walks
- Puzzle feeders
- Fetch sessions
- Training games
I swear by hide-and-seek with treats indoors. It burns energy and builds focus.
A little homemade beef bone broth also helps keep your dog fueled and balanced before training sessions.
Practice “Calm Check-Ins”
Reward calm moments, not just active obedience.
Did your dog lie down quietly near you?
Boom—treat time.
Dog training isn’t only about stopping bad behavior. It’s about catching the good stuff.
Step Five: Use Tools (If Needed—No Shame)
Leashes & Barriers
There’s nothing wrong with using:
- A short leash indoors at training times
- Baby gates
- Exercise pens
- A tether by the door
These aren’t punishments. They’re training helpers.
Treats vs. No Treats?
People always ask, “Do I have to use treats forever?”
Nope. Treats help early on, but eventually, your praise and routine become the reward. Still, I always carry backup treats like a proud dog-parent nerd. Why not make training fun?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Pushing Your Dog Away
You think you’re saying, “No jumping!”
Your dog hears, “YES! Physical interaction is happening!”
Yelling or Getting Frustrated
Your dog doesn’t understand yelling. Plus, excitement feeds excitement. Stay calm—even when they act like a caffeinated kangaroo.
Letting Jumping Happen “Just This Once”
I get it. Sometimes they’re too cute. But if you give in one time? Your dog learns to gamble on attention.
Think of it like that one friend who texts “you up?” at 2 AM. If you ever reply, they’ll keep trying.
Real-Life Example: Luna’s Visitor Routine
Since I love real-world stuff, here’s how I handle guests now:
- Doorbell rings
- Luna runs over but waits (we trained with treats + repetition)
- I ask her to “place” on her bed
- She sits and stays
- Guests enter
- She gets rewarded once she stays calm
Was it instant? Nope. Did it work? Absolutely.
Ever seen a dog proudly hold a sit like they’re guarding Buckingham Palace? That’s Luna now.
Bonus Training Tricks
Teach a “Touch” Cue
This one saved my life during training. Instead of jumping, teach your dog to gently boop your hand with their nose.
Why it works:
- Gives excited dogs a positive outlet
- Redirects their brain
- Looks adorable
Ignore Tornado Mode, Reward Zen Mode
Dogs don’t magically know calm behavior unless we show them it pays off.
Reward:
- Sitting
- Standing politely
- Soft body language
- Relaxed tail wags
Ignore:
- Barking
- Jumping
- Spinning like a hurricane
Simple formula:
Good = attention
Wild = no attention
Quick Checklist for Success
Want a fast cheat sheet to tape to your fridge?
✅ Ignore jumping
✅ Reward calm behavior fast
✅ Teach “sit to greet”
✅ Use leashes or barriers if needed
✅ Train visitors too (yes, they get instructions)
✅ Exercise your dog daily
✅ Stay patient—habits take time
The secret: Consistency turns chaos into manners.
FAQs
“But my dog only jumps on new people. What then?”
Train with friends first. Ask them to follow your rules. The more practice your dog gets, the faster they learn.
“My dog is small—is jumping still a problem?”
Even tiny dogs benefit from learning calm greetings. Manners look good on every size pup.
“What if my dog gets worse when ignored?”
Totally normal. It’s called an extinction burst. They try harder before giving up. Stay strong—your future self will thank you.
Final Thoughts
Stopping a dog from jumping when excited isn’t about punishment—it’s about teaching a better way to say hello. Your pup doesn’t mean to annoy you; they’re just overflowing with love and don’t know where to put it yet.
Give them structure. Give them consistency. And reward the good stuff like it’s gold.
Soon, you’ll walk through the door and see a calm, wiggly-but-grounded pup waiting for love—not launching for it. And honestly? That feels better than any fur-covered jump hug.
Ready to start training? Give it a try today and watch your dog become the well-mannered little legend they were meant to be.
Want more tips? Explore our full dog training advice hub for behavior guides, puppy training, and calm-dog routines.