How to Stop Puppy Jumping, by Ethan McMahon Dog Training on YouTube. 2 min 18 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 18 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Decide what counts as calm. Four paws on the floor and no jumping is the only behaviour that earns attention from now on.
Stand still and fold your arms when your puppy jumps. Say nothing and avoid eye contact so the jumping gets no reward.
Wait for your puppy to drop back down on all four paws. The moment all paws touch the floor, mark it with a calm yes.
Give a treat from your hand at floor level, not above the puppy's head, so it does not jump again to reach it.
Repeat the jump, wait and reward cycle five to ten times in a short session. Keep sessions under two minutes.
Ask a helper to walk in and greet the puppy. Have them turn away and ignore jumping, then pet only when all paws are down.
Practise at the front door, then on walks and with visitors. Reward sitting or standing calmly before anyone says hello.
Keep every greeting consistent. Everyone in the house ignores jumping and rewards four paws on the floor every time.
Tips and common mistakes
Never push the puppy down or knee it in the chest, as this can hurt a young dog and often looks like play.
Keep treats small and subtract them from the daily food amount so your puppy does not gain weight.
If jumping gets worse when you turn away, step behind a baby gate or tether the puppy so it cannot reach you.
Ask visitors to ignore the puppy for the first minute and greet it only once it is calm.
Questions
How long until my puppy stops jumping?
Most puppies improve within a few weeks of consistent practice, but expect setbacks when they are excited or meeting new people. Keep rewarding four paws on the floor every time.
Should I say no or push my puppy away when it jumps?
No. Any reaction, even negative, can reward the jumping with attention. Turning away and waiting for calm works better.
What if my puppy jumps on strangers on walks?
Ask people not to pet the puppy until it has all four paws down. Step back, wait for calm, then let them greet it briefly.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
