Jumping when greeting is a common canine behavior problem that can be both annoying and potentially dangerous, especially for children and seniors. While your dog’s intentions are friendly – they’re simply trying to say “hello” face-to-face and get your attention – this behavior needs to be managed. Fortunately, with consistent training and the right approach, you can teach your dog more polite ways to greet people. This guide offers ten effective tips to help your dog learn appropriate greeting manners.
A key principle in modifying unwanted behavior is teaching an incompatible alternative. This means showing your dog what you want them to do, rather than just punishing what you don’t want. For jumping, this could be teaching your dog to keep all four paws on the floor, to sit, or to lie down when greeting someone. The crucial element is to only provide attention and rewards when your dog is following the established rule. Consistency is paramount; avoid rewarding jumping in one instance and ignoring it in another. For example, don’t allow jumping when you’re dressed casually but discourage it when you’re in formal wear.
1. Reward Appropriate Greetings
Dogs are motivated to repeat behaviors that yield positive results. Therefore, when your dog exhibits the desired greeting behavior, such as keeping all four paws on the floor, immediately offer praise and petting. This immediate positive reinforcement helps your dog understand that polite behavior earns them the attention they crave. Don’t delay in acknowledging their good behavior; attend to them as soon as they are following the rule, even before you’ve fully settled in.
2. Remove Attention When Jumping Occurs
Conversely, to discourage jumping, you must ensure that it does not result in any form of attention. When your dog jumps, calmly disengage by turning your back or walking away. This action signifies that jumping has the opposite effect of what they intend—it makes your attention disappear. As soon as your dog settles with all four paws on the ground, re-engage with quiet praise and petting. This establishes a clear cause-and-effect: polite greetings lead to attention, while jumping leads to its withdrawal.
3. Set Your Dog Up for Success
While ignoring jumping and rewarding good behavior is effective, it can be a process of trial and error for your dog. To expedite their learning, set them up for success by making it easier to follow your greeting rule. If the rule is to sit, ask for a sit as soon as you enter the house. If the rule is four paws on the floor, encourage this stance. A practical method is to scatter treats on the floor as you enter. Most dogs are naturally drawn to investigate dropped treats, which prevents them from jumping while they sniff the ground. This strategy rewards four-on-the-floor behavior with both attention and a treat, accelerating their understanding of your greeting expectations. Gradually, you can reduce the reliance on treats as your dog consistently follows the rule.
dexter_cz/Shutterstock
4. Consistent Reinforcement is Key
Your dog will learn proper greeting behavior more quickly if their actions have an immediate and consistent impact on your attention. Ensure you always reward your dog when they adhere to your greeting rule. Even if you’ve endured a period of jumping, do not withhold attention the moment their feet finally touch the floor. Inconsistent responses can confuse your dog and hinder their learning process.
5. Avoid Physical Corrections
Grabbing your dog, holding their paws, or pushing them away when they jump are all forms of attention, even if negative. These actions can inadvertently reinforce the jumping behavior, potentially leading to more intense jumping in the future. For some dogs, physical interaction can be misinterpreted as an invitation to roughhouse play, escalating the situation rather than resolving it.
6. Refrain from Using Your Knee
The advice to block a dog’s chest with your knee when they jump is not recommended. As mentioned, physical interventions can be perceived as play or attention, thus reinforcing the behavior. More importantly, such actions can erode the trust between you and your dog, potentially damaging the human-canine bond. It can be frightening and confusing for a dog who is simply trying to greet you, and could even lead to injury or other behavioral issues if trust is compromised.
7. Keep Greetings Calm During Training
A dog’s excitement upon seeing their owner can make it challenging to control their natural urge to jump. To aid them in obeying the new greeting rule, keep your initial greetings low-key. Your emotional state can influence your dog’s, so remain calm and quiet, even when offering praise. As your dog shows improvement and begins to understand the new behavior, you can gradually increase your level of enthusiasm.
8. Manage Greetings with Guests and Strangers
It’s essential to manage your dog’s interactions with others to prevent them from reinforcing jumping behavior. Consider leashing your dog when guests arrive, or use management tools like baby gates or crates to keep them away from the door. Alternatively, teach your dog to go to a designated “place,” such as a mat or bed. By controlling the environment, you can prevent unwanted greetings and guide your dog towards practicing the correct behavior.
©Jana Behr – stock.adobe.com
9. Instruct Others on Your Greeting Rules
Don’t hesitate to communicate your dog’s training rules to guests and strangers. Before they interact with your dog, ask them to ignore your dog unless you give the signal that it’s okay. If your dog is still struggling with greetings, practice with friends and family who will cooperate. You can also use cues like “watch me” or offer a distraction, such as a toy, as strangers pass by.
10. Seek Professional Guidance When Needed
If you require expert advice or are facing persistent challenges with your dog’s behavior, the AKC GoodDog! Helpline offers personalized support through phone or video consultations. They can assist with a wide range of training questions, from puppy manners to addressing complex behavioral issues in adult dogs.
The AKC GoodDog! Helpline is celebrating ten years of dedicated support for dog owners. Connect with experienced trainers via phone or video to resolve any training challenges, ensuring a harmonious relationship with your canine companion.
