Stephan MairesseWhy Dogs Jump on People — and Why Correcting Them Often Fails
A dog jumps on people either to take power — gaining height always involves power — or to express excitement in a dominant way. As long as your dog is allowed to jump on you, or dominates you, trying to stop him from jumping on others is doomed: he won't understand why, and he may even nip or bite to remind you of his status.
A common and annoying behavior
This is a very common behavior and a very annoying one for many owners, who struggle to find an effective solution; yet it is very simple and quick to put an end to it. In New York City, it is one of the main reasons owners ask me for help.
Why does a dog jump on a person?
A desire to take power. Jumping, gaining height in front of an individual, is a behavior that always involves power, in the hierarchical sense of the word. By jumping on someone, a dog is asking for attention. He is asserting himself physically.
An expression of excitement. If a dog is excited to meet a person, he can express this excitement in two ways: with a submissive attitude (body held low) or with a dominant attitude (jumping, gaining height).
Why correcting him often fails
If you do not prevent your dog from jumping on you, there is no hope of preventing him from jumping on other people. If he is allowed to do it with you, he will not understand why you prevent him from doing it with someone else.
From a hierarchical point of view, to impose something on a dog, you must have, in his eyes, the authority to do so. If your dog dominates you, jumping on you is the expression of his status — and if you correct him without having dominated him, not only will he not stop, but he could start to nip or bite you to remind you of that status. If your dog dominates you, you have no say in his interactions with other people.
Stephan MairesseProfessional dog trainer & canine behaviorist, 30 years of experience across 16 countries, more than 2,000 dogs trained. Certification N°750108. Read his full background →
The exact method — at home, on the leash and off the leash — is in Module 8 of the course, along with the rules of life that give you the authority to apply it.
See the course