We've all been there — the doorbell rings, you go to greet your guest and let them in, and all of a sudden, your dog is excitedly barking and jumping up at your friend or family member.
If you're finding this problematic in your own life right now, learning how to stop a dog from jumping up is likely high on your priority list!
And thankfully, you'll be relieved to learn there's lots you can do to prevent this behavior.
In a recent Instagram post, expert dog trainer Julianna DeWillems is sharing some of her favorite tried and true front door training techniques that will help turn your full of beans fur friend into the ultimate polite pup.
So grab a bag of the best dog treats (you'll need them for this!) and read on...
1. Have your dog sit on the couch: The first training scenario DeWillems chooses to highlight is one where the dog is stationed on the couch away from the door and is then released to go and say hello.
"This is a routine that would be practiced over and over again before being applied to a real-life guest," explains DeWillems.
You'll note that when the dog is given the command to come off the couch, he first reports into his owner where he's given a treat for displaying the behavior she's wanting for him. After this, he's free to calmly greet the guest.
2. Use a snuffle mat: A snuffle mat can be a great way to keep your dog occupied while front door greetings between humans are taking place.
"This accomplishes keeping the dog quiet, away from the door and standing near the mat instead of jumping on people," DeWillems says.
3. Deploy the treat scatter: "A simple treat scatter can interrupt excitement and help the dog stand and sniff instead of jump as the guest walks in. While simple, this definitely requires practice and consistency to teach your dog to engage in the scatter," explains DeWillems.
If you find that after several months of working with your dog to change this behavior you're not seeing the results you'd like, we recommend reaching out to a professional trainer for advice and guidance.
Check out our guide to how to spot dog trainer red flags to ensure you're partnering with a qualified expert who uses positive training methods.
