How to Stop Your Puppy from Jumping Up: Full Guide

When you decide to address the issue, remember that your dog might initially jump more often. This happens because they've been rewarded for this behaviour in the past, possibly inadvertently, and might believe they need to jump even more to get the same attention. With persistence, timing, and consistency, this behaviour can be curbed.

It’s a common instinct to scold or tell a dog off when they misbehave, however, negative attention is still attention. When you tell your puppy off for jumping, they might interpret this as a reward, reinforcing the unwanted behaviour. Instead of punishment, focus on rewarding the behaviours you want to see more of.

The Dog’s Trust details multiple ways to reward a dog including with toys, food, and attention. All of these methods build a positive association with stopping what they were doing and then being praised and given a treat. 

Transitioning a puppy from their breeder's home to yours requires a gentle touch, not a sudden leap into rigorous, bootcamp style training. It is important to remember that with a new puppy, you essentially take over the role of their mother when you take them home. 

Using the two-step approach, something recommended on the episode 15 of the podcast The Dog's Way Podcast: Dog Training for Real Life, first involves decompression and distancing, using noise-making techniques for attention and cues like “let’s go” to teach approaching and retreating from stimuli. 

Once they're acclimated, the second step introduces interaction with people. Consistency is key, so guiding any new person on the approach and verbal cues ensures your puppy gets a unified message. This method builds confidence, boundary understanding, and healthy interactions for a well-adjusted puppy.

Replacing an undesired behaviour with a positive one is a proven training method. When your dog meets someone, instead of allowing them to jump, train them to sit politely. Start by using treats and voice commands. Every time they meet someone, ask them to sit, rewarding them with a treat and praise when they do. Over time, this will become their natural greeting.

In some instances, where you have a particularly excitable pup, it may be worth considering not allowing anyone other than yourself to give treats or play with toys with your dog as this reduces their excitable association with others and lessens the chance of a jumpy reaction. 

Walks aren't just for exercise; they're golden opportunities for training. While outdoors, your puppy will encounter numerous distractions, making it a perfect setting to teach them to obey commands amidst distractions. 

Whenever you sense a trigger that makes your dog jump, like spotting a friendly neighbour, ask your dog to sit and reward them when they do. This reinforces the idea that good behaviour, even outside the home, gets rewarded.

Building patience in puppies forms the foundation for a well-behaved adult dog. Start with minor daily routines, like holding back their food bowl for a few moments longer, or pausing before handing over a treat. Over time, integrate this patience training into more complex scenarios, such as having them sit calmly while you prepare for their walk or waiting for your command before jumping into the car. 

Gradually extending the waiting periods in varied situations reinforces their patience. Not only that but it also instils a sense of discipline and helps your puppy understand that good things come to those who wait, nurturing a calm and controlled behaviour.

The main principle of positive reinforcement relies on promptly and consistently reinforcing positive behaviour. Each time your puppy acts as you wish, be it sitting on command or not jumping on a visitor, instantly acknowledge their good behaviour. 

While puppy treats are a popular and effective choice, verbal praise, a gentle pat, or even a brief play session with their cherished toy can also serve as rewards. Being consistent with these rewards allows you to cement in your dog's mind the link between good behaviour and positive outcomes.

Understanding and predicting your dog's behaviour is half the battle. If there are specific triggers, like the doorbell ringing or kids playing, that make your dog jump, be prepared. Distract them with a toy or command them to sit before they get a chance to jump. By anticipating their reaction, you can guide them towards the desired behaviour.

One of the most effective tools for managing a puppy’s jumping habit is the humble leash. With a leash, you can maintain control over your puppy's movements without resorting to physical restraint. As shown on a recent McCann Dog Training video, having some control of your pup’s ability to jump, via a lead, and then rewarding them when they don’t, means that the dog will start to associate not jumping with good things happening, therefore reinforcing the behaviour. 

Furthermore, combining the leash technique with voice commands can reinforce the training, making the process more effective and ensuring safer interactions for everyone involved.

Puppies, in their eagerness to explore the world, might often jump up and use their mouth, leading to unintended biting. This is a natural behaviour stemming from their innate curiosity and playfulness. 

To counteract this, it’s essential to always have a toy at the ready. Whenever they exhibit signs of jumping and biting, quickly redirect their attention towards the toy. Additionally, employing bite inhibition techniques, like letting out a noticeable yelp when they bite, can signal to them that the behaviour is undesirable.

When puppies interact with children, their enthusiasm can sometimes manifest as jumping, which can be alarming and unsafe for little ones. Close supervision is paramount when children and puppies are together. 

Teach children the importance of calm interactions and instruct them to turn away without screaming or running if a puppy jumps. Simultaneously, focus on obedience training for your puppy, emphasising commands like 'sit' and 'stay' to ensure they remain composed around kids.

For many pet owners, keeping furniture free from pet hair and potential damage is a priority. When a puppy continually seeks comfort on sofas or beds, it’s crucial to establish boundaries early on. Providing a cosy bed or designated space for your puppy allows you to guide their preference. 

If they display an inclination to jump on furniture, gently lead them to their space, rewarding their compliance. A firm 'off' command, when used consistently, can also convey that furniture is a no-go zone.

Countertops are often a far too appealing temptation for puppies who are enticed by the scent of food and intriguing objects that have caught their eye, but counter-surfing can lead to harmful ingestions or accidents. 

To stop this behaviour, always keep counters devoid of enticing items. Deter your pet with firm commands, and reward them for going to their bed or crate whilst food is being prepared. 

Nipping is another form of playful interaction for puppies, but it's essential to set boundaries for such behaviours. When playfulness escalates to nipping, it’s a sign that your puppy needs direction. Offering them a chew toy as an alternative can shift their focus. 

If they remain persistent in their nipping behaviour, a brief pause in playtime can convey the message that nipping leads to an end of fun.

This behaviour, often termed as 'mouthing', can be addressed by redirecting their energy towards toys or providing them with chewable items. Teaching commands like "Sit" or "Stay" can also be beneficial.