Dogs often jump up to greet people when they arrive, a behavior many dog owners are familiar with. While some people may be okay with it, others find it annoying or even dangerous. Even if you’re fine with your dog’s jumping, it’s important to understand that most people won’t share your enthusiasm. Fortunately, there are effective ways to train your dog to greet people politely.
Juliana DeWillems, the owner and head trainer at JW Dog Training & Behavior, shared expert advice on Instagram to help dog owners address this issue. Here’s her approach:
Teach an Appropriate Greeting Behavior: Start by teaching your dog a calm greeting behavior with familiar people. DeWillems recommends reducing the excitement and surprise during training to help your dog focus. This makes the training more effective and gives you better results.
Introduce a “Go Say Hi” Cue: DeWillems suggests teaching your dog the “go say hi” cue, where they approach a person briefly, touch their hand or receive a quick pet, then return to you for a high-value treat. By practicing this in a calm, controlled setting, your dog learns how to greet guests in a more appropriate manner.
Rehearse the Greeting Sequence: Repeating the “go say hi” sequence multiple times in a low-distraction environment helps your dog get used to the routine. DeWillems explains that providing just the right amount of access to the person your dog is greeting (not too much and not too little) helps minimize frustration and ensures a calm, controlled greeting.
By following these steps and remaining consistent in training, your dog will learn how to greet people politely without jumping up, making the experience more enjoyable and safe for everyone.
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