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No jumping: polite greetings for a calmer dog
This essential game teaches your dog to offer polite greetings instead of jumping up, creating a more enjoyable experience for everyone. By building a solid “sit” and practising with distractions, your dog learns self-control and focus, making them a welcome, well-mannered companion both at home and out and about.
With practice this will help you achieve:
- Greeting visitors politely
- Meeting new people on a walk
- Keeping four paws on the floor
What you'll need
- High-value treats (small, soft, and easy for your dog to eat quickly)
- A quiet space to start, then gradually add distractions
- A lead (for practicing in distracting environments)
Step-by-step
- Build a Solid Sit: Begin by throwing a treat a short distance away from you. As your dog walks back towards you, ask for a “Sit”. Reward them when their bum touches the ground. Repeat this to build a strong habit.
- Add Distractions Gradually: Once your dog can reliably sit, start introducing minor distractions. For example, make small movements with your arms or take a step back, always rewarding your dog for staying in a sit.
- Manage Jumping (If it happens): If your dog jumps up, use a mild verbal correction like “Ah-ah” and walk away from them. This teaches them that jumping makes the fun stop. Only re-engage when they are calm.
- Practice Out & About: When you’re in public, ask your dog to sit as people walk by. You can use their lead to gently prevent them from jumping towards other people, reinforcing the calm behaviour.
- Polite Visitor Greetings: At home, make it clear that your dog cannot jump on anyone. For puppies who get overly excited by visitors, try giving them a filled Kong in their crate initially, then bring them out for a polite greeting once they have calmed down.
Top tips for success
- Consistency is key! Everyone who interacts with your dog should follow the same rules.
- Reward the “four paws on the floor”! Whenever your dog offers a calm sit instead of jumping, praise them.
- Prevent jumping before it starts. Anticipate situations where your dog might jump and proactively ask for a sit.
- Keep initial interactions with visitors calm and controlled. Don’t allow your dog to rush forward.
Tired of jumping? Achieve polite greetings!
Putting an end to jumping requires consistency and the right techniques. If you're struggling to teach your dog polite greetings or need help managing their excitement around visitors, I'm based in Epsom and here to provide expert guidance. A personalised One-to-One session can transform your dog's greeting habits.
