We’ve all experienced a slightly over-excited dog jumping up on us. While this behavior might be well-intentioned, it can be intimidating, especially if the dog is large.
Understanding why dogs do this is the first step in prevention, helping you avoid claw marks, muddy paws, and frustration.
1. Some Dogs Learn Jumping from Puppyhood
Part of the reason why dogs jump up on people is because they learn to do so during their formative years. For example, when a mother dog brings food for her puppies, they have no way to take it other than to jump up and lick her face – letting her know they’d like a bite.
Puppies also use jumping to greet their mother and feel closer to her, so over time, it’s a behavior that becomes ingrained. This is why it’s so important to socialize your dog from an early age to prevent this behavior in adulthood.
2. Dogs View Jumping as Saying “Hello!”
One of the most common reasons a dog jumps up on you is to say hello. Whether you’ve been away for five minutes or five hours, this affectionate greeting is their way to welcome you back.
Dogs use smell as their primary sense to navigate the world. When they greet one another, you’ll often see two dogs sniffing each other’s faces. The reason for this is the number of scent glands around the neck and face area, and it’s no different with humans. When a dog jumps up on you, it’s likely trying to reach up to your face to give your scent glands a good sniff.
3. Dogs Jump to Show Dominance
Another reason why a dog may jump up on you is to assert its dominance, especially if they’re meeting someone for the first time.
The dog tries to exert some control over the situation and show dominance over what they perceive to be their territory. This behavior is mostly harmless, but it can feel intimidating for the person on the receiving end, especially if the dog is a large breed, like a Great Dane or Saint Bernard.
At times, a dog will combine jumping with growling or humping. These are all forms of dominance, particularly in neutered males.
If your dog commonly jumps up on people they know, it’s most likely a greeting or a way of getting attention. But if your dog is more prone to jumping on strangers, they’re probably feeling intimidated or trying to show who’s boss.
4. Dogs May Jump Out of Fear
When your dog is experiencing stress or anxiety, their behaviors may change to reflect this mood. If your dog doesn’t usually jump on people but suddenly starts to engage in this behavior, take some time to work out the cause.
Are you able to identify what triggered the situation? Has anything changed in your dog’s routine or environment recently? Has your dog been alone for longer than usual? This could be why your dog is starting to jump on people.
If your dog engages in this behavior because they feel scared, you will more than likely see other anxiety-driven behaviors accompanying it.
5. Dogs Jump to Seek Attention
Sometimes a dog will jump up on you out of boredom. This is their way of saying, “I’m bored; give me attention.” In this situation, your dog may have a lot of stored energy that displays itself as excitable jumps.
In this instance, a jump can be a dog’s way of communicating to you that they need more interaction (dogs need around two hours of social interaction every day). It can also serve as a gentle reminder that it’s time for you to take them out on a walk.
How Can I Stop My Dog from Jumping?
Though this behavior is mostly harmless, it can be embarrassing if your dog continuously jumps up on other people, especially if it makes those people uncomfortable. But there are ways to tame this behavior.
The first step in prevention is to avoid encouraging these acts – sometimes, you might not even realize that you’re doing it. But if your dog regularly jumps on you as a greeting and you respond in kind, you inadvertently reward this behavior.
If you want to make a change, you’ll need to push your canine away gently and avoid giving them any attention until they are calm. You can also try positive reinforcement training when your dog displays the behaviors that you would like to see.
In contrast, if your dog is engaging in this behavior out of fear or a recent change in circumstances, you may need to take a different approach. If you know what’s bothering your pup, try to reduce your dog’s exposure to this object, person, or event; and provide them with a safe space to retreat to any time they feel overwhelmed.
Often, a dog jumping on you is a playful way of trying to say hello. But, if this causes problems for you or the people around you, consistent training can be an excellent way to stop this habit.
