What Is It?
Jumping up on to greet the owner or other people.

What Causes It?
Jumping is an instinctive canine greeting, often observed between canines. It probably originates from an instinct in puppies to lick the muzzle of adult dogs to obtain food. The attempt to lick the muzzle ("kiss") continues as a greeting ritual in the many dogs. Because they are shorter and we stand upright, they have to jump to try to reach the face. Some behaviorists suggest they also jump to sniff the human's signature breath.

Who Does It?
Young and excitable dogs without proper training. Particularly dogs whose jumping was or is unintentionally rewarded.

When Does It Happen?
During greetings or other excitement; e.g. get out the leash, ball or food bowl.

How Can I Stop It?

• First, make a pact with other members of the family to not greet or pet a dog who is jumping on a person. (Stop unintentionally training the dog to jump on people.)
• Teach the dog to sit reliably when asked.
• Only greet dog when he is "sitting." He can't jump and sit at the same time.

Tone down greetings to reduce excitement. The guideline is to greet the dog (reward him) when he is calm enough to sit to receive the greeting.

• Your job is to ignore the dog, and to turn your shoulder to the jumping (a body block) or walk forward toward the jumping. Do not run or walk away during training, they will just jump on your back.
• As soon as the dog sits reach down to pat on the head. Chances are they will jump again before getting the pat on the head. Continue to repeat this until they stay seated.
• Go outside and try again or have a friend try.
• With guests who choose not to participate in the training, place the dog out of the room, tether him to you, or his special place, or in place in his crate.
• Repeat this exercise as often as possible until the jumping stops.

Other Comments
People often unintentionally train the dog to jump up on them, and undo efforts to correct the problem. This usually happens when the owner comes home relaxed or happy and "gives in" and gives the dog a juicy loving greeting as a response to jumping up. This intermittent reward will reliably foil any attempt to stop the dog from jumping up.