How to Stop Jumping | Puppy Training Parker CO

Once you understand why your dog is jumping, you can train it in a really straightforward way.

I break it down around those same three reasons and teach one clear alternative: feet on the floor.

That’s it. That’s the behavior we’re building.

The rule is simple

• Feet on the floor = “yes” + reward

• Jumping = no response, no reward

You’re not correcting. You’re not arguing with the dog. You’re just making one option clearly work better than the other.

Step 1: Catch it early

Before your dog jumps, there’s always a moment where their feet are still on the ground.

That’s what you’re looking for.

The second you see it:

• Mark it with “yes”

• Reward (attention, food, or both)

You’re teaching: this is the move that works.

Step 2: Ignore the jump

When your dog jumps:

• No eye contact

• No talking

• No pushing them off

Just remove access to what they want.

This is where most people accidentally reinforce the behavior. Any interaction can still feel rewarding to the dog.

Step 3: Break it down by situation

This is where your “3 reasons” come into play.

If you’re the roadblock:
Practice walking into your dog’s space and rewarding them for staying grounded instead of climbing on you.

If they default to going up instead of backing up:
Reward them whenever they back away instead of jump vertically as you walk towards them.

If they want attention or access (kisses, face, etc.):
Only give that attention when all four feet are on the floor.

Same rule across all of it:
Feet down gets paid. Jumping gets nothing.

Step 4: Build duration

At first, you’re rewarding quick moments.

Then you start stretching it:

• 1 second → yes

• 2–3 seconds → yes

• Holding position while you move → yes

This is how you turn it into something reliable, not just a quick fix.

Step 5: Add real life back in

Once your dog understands the game:

• Start adding door knocks

• Then door opens

• Then real people

If it falls apart, you went too fast. Just step back and rebuild.