It is the classic embarrassing scenario: you invite friends over, open the door, and your dog launches themselves like a furry missile at your guest's chest. While we know they are just saying 'I love you!', to a guest (especially a child or senior), it can be terrifying and dangerous.
Why They Do It (It's Not Dominance)
Dogs greet face-to-face. Since we are taller than them, jumping is simply their attempt to get closer to our faces to say hello. It is a sign of affection, not dominance. The problem is that we often accidentally reward it by pushing them off, talking to them, or making eye contact. To a dog, any attention is good attention.
The 'Four on the Floor' Game
The rule is simple: You only get attention when all four paws are touching the ground. Practice this yourself first. Walk in the door. If your dog jumps, turn your back and cross your arms. Become a boring statue. Do not say 'No' or 'Down.' Just wait.
The moment—and I mean the exact second—their front paws hit the floor, turn around and give calm praise. If they jump again, turn back around. They will quickly learn that 'Jumping = Human Disappears' and 'Standing = Human Appears.'
The 'Place' Command (Impulse Control)
It is hard for a dog to jump on a guest if they are lying on their bed. Teaching a solid 'Place' command is the most effective way to manage excited greetings. We recommend using a raised 'cot' style bed because the defined edges make it clear to the dog where they need to stay. Not sure where to start? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to teach the 'Place' command to get the basics down.
The 'Leash On' Strategy
Until your dog is 100% reliable, do not let them greet guests loose. When the doorbell rings, put them on a leash. This gives you physical control to prevent the jump before it happens. If they try to jump, you can simply use the leash to guide them back to the floor or their Place bed. It prevents the bad habit from being rehearsed.
