My Sidekick and Me: Jumping

By Lisa Desatnik

Dogs jumping on people is a very common complaint I hear (and see). 

That behavior is a common greeting of many dogs, but, while perfectly normal for a dog, most humans would prefer their pet to keep all four paws on the floor. And especially if those paws belong to a dog or puppy that is going to grow to over 100 pounds. 

Dogs are like every other living being when it comes to behavior in that they are constantly learning from their environment what behaviors to repeat and strengthen, and what behaviors to lessen. They make their decisions based upon where the value is for them…and that value is all about the consequences of that behavior. If a behavior works to get them something THEY value, then they will continue to do it. If the behavior DOES NOT get them something of value, the frequency of that behavior is going to lessen. 

Dogs that continue to jump on humans who walk through the door do so because they are being positively reinforced for that behavior…whether humans see it that way or not. Scientifically speaking, positive reinforcement (R+) is simply a consequence of behavior that is added to the environment that increases the frequency of the behavior. As humans we do not get to decide what constitutes that R+ for our pets, but we can be keen observers to figure out what is happening immediately after a behavior that is of value to our pet so that we can make changes to do three things:  

1. Set the environment up to prevent our pet from practicing (and building a reinforcement history for) the unwanted behavior while
2. Teaching and building huge value for an alternative and acceptable behavior we would rather our pets do and
3. In the case that our pet does practice unwanted behavior, we pay careful attention to NOT give any value to that behavior.

Let’s go back to this jumping greeting behavior. 

Some of the possible reinforcers for that behavior can be attention, proximity to faces, humans that move and make noise, and release of energy.

The problem that many who have tried to ignore the unwanted behavior have discovered is that a jumping dog – especially a big dog – is difficult to ignore, and with little dogs…well, let’s just say humans are very good at reinforcing little dogs for this greeting. Another problem is that there are some people who do not mind a dog jumping while other people do not like it at all. 

One of the reasons why ‘problem’ behaviors become so strong is because they are intermittently reinforced, meaning sometimes the behavior gets the animal something of value and sometimes it doesn’t. Gambling is a tough habit to kick and that is exactly what this creates. 

So, how can you prevent your dog from practicing the excited greeting to begin with? Management is very important. As an example, a gate can prevent direct access to human bodies which allows for practice of teaching alternative behaviors you would rather see. 

Some examples of other options can be giving your dog a licking toy when visitors arrive, teaching your dog to have a toy in his mouth when greeting, teaching your dog to go get a toy.
You could also teach your dog to go to a place, or you could teach your dog four paws on the ground get attention. 

As you can see, there are many options. Whichever option is best for you and your dog, remember to practice when you DO NOT need it first. 

Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, CPBC, with So Much PETential was voted 2024 Cincinnati’s Best Community Choice Award winner in pet training. She is a certified dog trainer, a certified Family Dog Mediator, and the first trainer in Hamilton County to earn Fear Free certification. She is also a licensed Family Paws Parent Educator. She is committed to using and teaching the most positive, science-based approaches to changing behavior. For more information, visit SoMuchPETential.com.