Stop Dog Jumping on People — Free Greeting Trainer Tool
Teach polite greetings (“four on the floor” or sit-for-petting) using positive reinforcement. Track reps, set difficulty, and get real-time coaching to help your pup keep paws down when visitors arrive.
Open the Greeting Trainer ConsoleGreeting Trainer Console
Session Setup Dog jumping on people
Start easier if arousal is high or mistakes happen. Advance only when you’re seeing smooth, calm repetitions.
Timer & Logger
| Time | Event | Note |
|---|
Adaptive Tips
Why this tool helps
Builds calm greeting habits
Jumping works because it gets attention. This console lets you rehearse short, easy wins where keeping paws on the floor earns rewards and attention, while jumping simply resets the rep.
Science-based workflow
We use positive reinforcement and clean marker timing (reward on calm), plus smart criteria changes (distance, guest motion, duration). It’s classic operant conditioning with a sprinkle of counter-conditioning to help greetings feel safe and predictable.
Prevents problem spirals
By managing arousal and environmental setup, you avoid door-dash chaos and teach a reliable greeting routine that transfers to real life: front door, elevator, sidewalk, and indoor visitors.
When to use polite-greeting training in daily life
- Front-door hellos with delivery people or friends.
- Passing people and dogs on walks (pair with loose-leash walking so your dog can move calmly).
- Indoor visits when kids get excited—teach sit-for-petting or “go to mat.” (Try the Place Training Tool.)
- Lobby/elevator etiquette in apartment buildings.
Step-by-Step Training Plan
Start easy, end on wins, and increase only one axis at a time (distance, guest motion/voice, or duration).
| Stage | Goal | Handler actions | Advance when… |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) Calm stand | Dog keeps four feet on floor as person approaches at distance. | Feed every 2–3s while calm. If paws lift, step back, quiet 2–3s, then resume. | 3 sessions with 80% success. |
| 2) Sit-for-petting | Dog sits before the person greets. | Ask for sit → person approaches → feed low. If dog pops up, person pauses and you reset. | 3 reps in a row without jumping. |
| 3) Add motion & voice | Dog holds position while the greeter talks/moves naturally. | Increase voice volume or arm motion slightly; feed faster at first, then fade. | Streak of 3 wins; success rate ≥80%. |
| 4) Real-life door | Front-door routine with knock/bell. | Use management (gate/leash). Cue sit or send to mat; reinforce calm. Combine with recall practice for resets. | Two smooth visits in a row. |
Common mistakes & fixes
- Greeter moves too fast. Slow the approach and add distance; reinforce sooner.
- Asking for too much too soon. Change only one thing at a time (distance or motion or duration).
- Rewarding after a jump. If paws leave the floor, pause 2–3s, reset position, try again—then pay for calm.
- No management at doors. Use a leash, baby gate, or send to mat with the Place Training Tool during practice.
Greeting Trainer FAQs
How long should sessions be?
Most dogs do best with 3–5 minute missions, a quick break, then another round if it’s going well.
What if my dog still jumps when people speak?
Lower the difficulty: add distance, ask for sit earlier, and feed faster as the person starts talking. Increase voice volume gradually.
Should I say “Off” when my dog jumps?
You don’t need a reprimand. Simply remove what the dog wants (attention), reset, and pay generously for paws on the floor.
Can I pair this with other training?
Yes—combine with loose-leash walking, the Place Training Tool, and marker-timing refreshers.