Stop the Jump: A Force-Free Mini Course

Transform your enthusiastic greeter into a polite host using only positive methods

Photo by Giorgio Trovato on Unsplash

If you're tired of your dog launching themselves at every person who walks through your door, you're in the right place. This course will teach you how to redirect that enthusiasm into appropriate greetings using reward-based training methods that strengthen your bond with your dog.

Important Note: Not all jumping needs to be "fixed"! Some dogs jump appropriately - gently, only with certain people, and in controlled ways. If your dog's jumping is calm, selective, and doesn't create safety concerns, it might be perfectly fine for your household. This course is specifically for dogs whose jumping is:

• Overly excited or frenzied

• Directed at everyone indiscriminately

• Potentially unsafe for children, elderly, or people with mobility issues

• Causing injury risk to the dog or people

• Creating stress or conflict in your home

If your dog jumps gently on you and you enjoy it, but needs to learn not to jump on visitors or children, you can adapt these techniques to teach discrimination between appropriate and inappropriate jumping contexts.

What you'll learn:

• Why dogs jump and what they're really trying to communicate

• A simple 3-step training plan you can start today

• How to set up your dog for success with visitors

• Troubleshooting common challenges

Time commitment: 10-15 minutes of practice daily for 2-3 weeks

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Understanding Why Dogs Jump

Before exploring solutions, let's understand what's happening from your dog's perspective. Dogs jump because it works! When they jump, they often get attention (even negative attention), they get closer to faces, and sometimes they even get petted.

Your dog isn't being:

• Dominant or trying to assert control

• Deliberately disobedient

• Bad or problematic

Your dog IS:

• Excited and happy to see people

• Using their natural greeting behaviour

• Seeking attention and connection

This enthusiasm is actually wonderful - we just need to channel it appropriately.

Why This Training Matters: Safety First

While jumping is often just excitement, it can create serious safety concerns that make this training essential:

Safety Risks for People:

• Elderly visitors or those with mobility issues can be easily knocked over

• Small children can be frightened or injured by an enthusiastic jumper

• People with balance issues, canes, or walkers are particularly vulnerable

• Even friendly jumping can cause scratches, torn clothing, or falls

Safety Risks for Your Dog: