Does your pup love to jump? Whether it’s when you get home from work or have a guest come over, some dogs can’t seem to keep all four paws on the ground. If you have a bigger pup, it’s even more important to stop your dog from jumping up. They can injure whoever they jump on.

Fortunately, dog training to stop jumping up is fairly straightforward. Here’s a look at why dogs jump and what you can do about it.

Dog training to stop jumping up is straightforward, but takes patience. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:

• Exercise Your Pup. Make sure your dog gets plenty of physical and mental stimulation throughout their day. Get that excess energy out!
• Curb Your Dog’s Enthusiasm. When they jump on you, don’t touch them or shove them off. Doing so is a form of attention and reinforces the jumping. Instead, turn your body away and say “off” or “down” in a calm but firm voice.
• Only Reward When They’re Down. Once your dog is sitting (or at least standing) calmly, offer praise and a treat. Keep your voice low to stop your dog from jumping up again. Yelling or excessively energetic praise will excite them too much.
• Require a Sit. When introducing a new person, require that your dog hold a sit. Saying “hello” is a reward and they should only get it when they’re calm.

Remember that dogs can’t distinguish who is and is not okay to jump on. Even if you don’t mind the behavior, they will jump on strangers or new friends, and these people might find it rude or even frightening. It’s essential to stop your dog from jumping up so they don’t hurt or scare someone else.