My dog jumps up at people

You're not alone — and there's a calm, reliable way forward

When your dog jumps up at visitors, neighbours or family it can feel embarrassing, stressful and exhausting. That reaction doesn’t mean you’ve failed as an owner — it’s a common, understandable way dogs ask for attention, release excitement, or check social boundaries. At Empire Dogs we approach this with empathy: we know how upsetting it can be, and we also know how quickly a tailored plan can restore calm, confidence and polite greetings.

Why dogs jump up — the causes behind the behaviour

There isn’t one single reason every dog jumps up. Common drivers include excitement at social contact, reinforced attention (even negative attention can be rewarding), lack of an alternative behaviour, fear or overstimulation, and a dog’s individual history or age. Health issues such as joint pain or vision impairment can also change how a dog greets people. Understanding the cause is crucial: the right solution for a young, excited lab will differ from the plan for a nervous rescue.

Three simple, practical strategies you can try at home

These are safe, low-effort steps you can start today. Consistency is everything — small, regular changes will deliver results.

1. Manage the first moments: Before a visitor enters, ask your dog to go to a mat or place and reward calm behaviour with high-value treats. Preventing the jump while you establish a new routine avoids reinforcing the old habit.
2. Ignore the jump, reward four paws: If your dog jumps, turn away and withhold eye contact and touch until all four paws are on the floor. The moment they’re calm, reward immediately. Attention is a powerful reinforcer — only give it for the behaviour you want.
3. Teach an alternative — sit or touch: Train a clear, easy-to-cue alternative (for example, a reliable ‘sit’ or ‘place’ command) and reward it. Practise with short, frequent sessions and generalise the behaviour in different rooms and with different people.

Quick safety note: never push a dog down or scold aggressively — those responses can increase arousal or anxiety and make the behaviour worse.

When a tailored, professional approach is the best next step

If the jumping is persistent, paired with lunging, or linked to fear or reactivity, a personalised assessment will save time and reduce stress. At Empire Dogs in Fontwell, Seb (Sebastian) carries out friendly, detailed assessments that look beyond the symptom. We analyse the triggers, your dog’s body language, household routines and the specific people and contexts involved. That gives us a realistic, humane plan you can follow with confidence.

What Empire Dogs offers and how we work

Our approach is practical and results-focused, blending owner coaching with real-world obedience training. Typical work includes:

• One-hour assessment for £50: observation, discussion of history, and a clear next-step plan tailored to your life.
• Practical owner training: hands-on coaching so you, and everyone in your household, know exactly what to do in the moment.
• Progressive training steps: building reliable alternative behaviours, management strategies, and generalisation into everyday situations (doorways, greetings, walks).
• Optional tools and advanced methods: where appropriate, we can incorporate leadwork, structured obedience, or e-collar protocols — always explained, humane and targeted to your dog’s needs.

Sebastian brings experience in real-world obedience, reactivity and protection training, which means the plans are practical for daily life, not just perfect on the training field. We stand behind our work with a results-focused guarantee: follow the plan and we’ll keep working with you until you see clear improvement.

What to expect after booking an assessment

After your one-hour assessment in Fontwell you’ll leave with a written plan, short-term goals and simple management steps you can implement straight away. Follow-up sessions are designed to be straightforward and time-efficient — owner coaching, in-context practice and clear homework that fits around your life.

Ready to change greetings for good?

If you’re tired of the jump-and-apologise cycle, don’t wait. Book a warm, judgement-free assessment with Seb at Empire Dogs in Fontwell and get a tailored plan that works for your dog and your family. The first step is practical, affordable and focused on results — and you don’t have to manage this alone.