How to stop my dog from jumping on people

Dogs jump to get attention, so the fastest fix is to give zero attention for jumping and lots of it for keeping four paws on the floor. Turn away the instant your dog jumps, wait for calm, then reward a sit. With everyone in the house reacting the same way, most dogs greet politely within a couple of weeks.

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Step by step

The moment your dog jumps, turn your back and take away all attention — no eye contact, no touching, no talking.
As soon as all four paws are on the floor, turn back and calmly reward with praise or a treat.
Teach a 'sit' to greet: ask for a sit before anyone says hello, and only give attention while the dog stays sitting.
Keep greetings low-energy — an excited high-pitched hello makes jumping worse.
Ask visitors to follow the same rule; one person petting a jumping dog undoes the training for everyone.
Practise with a leash on at the door so you can calmly prevent the jump while you reward the sit.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my dog jump on people?

Almost always for attention and greeting excitement — jumping puts them closer to your face. It's a learned behaviour, not dominance, so it responds well to reward-based training.

Should I knee my dog or push them off?

No. Pushing, kneeing or yelling still counts as attention and can hurt or scare your dog. Removing attention and rewarding four-on-the-floor works faster and keeps trust intact.

How long does it take to stop jumping?

With everyone consistent, most dogs greet calmly in one to three weeks. Dogs with a long history of jumping take longer, so stay patient and reward every polite greeting.