Hey there, {{first_name}} / Amazing Dog Parent! 🐶💌
💙If your pup greets your guests with a full-body leap to the chest (or straight to the face if they’re a tiny launcher like Biscuit the Dachshund)… you are definitely not alone.
Jumping is one of the most common behavior concerns we hear from loving dog parents—especially those with affectionate, spirited fur babies who seem to think every visitor is their long-lost best friend.
And here’s the thing: this isn’t “bad” behavior. It’s excited behavior. It’s “I love you SO MUCH I CAN’T STAND IT” behavior. Which is sweet… until Grandma nearly gets knocked over.
So today, we’re digging into:
Why dogs jump (hint: it’s not dominance)
How to teach them a better way to say “hi”
And how to do it without making them feel ashamed for being excited
Because of their spirit? We want to keep that. We just want to teach them how to express it without the full-body tackle.
TLDR: If your dog jumps on people, it’s not bad behavior—it’s excited energy that just needs redirection. Teach calm greetings by ignoring the jump, rewarding four paws on the floor, and staying consistent with cues like “sit” or “touch.” With patience and love (and maybe a few treats), even the most enthusiastic pup can learn to say hello politely.
🧠 Why Do Dogs Jump?
Most dogs don’t jump to “assert dominance” (despite what you may have heard). They do it to connect, literally.
Here’s what’s really going on:
They want to be at face level like puppies do when they lick their mama’s mouth
They’re excited and haven’t learned another way to greet
We may accidentally reward it (talking, touching, laughing… it all counts as reinforcement)
With tiny dogs like Biscuit, it’s even easier to overlook it until she starts launching at guests in public. (Been there.)
The truth? Jumping isn’t a character flaw it’s a communication habit. And just like any habit, it can be gently reshaped.
💡 How to Redirect That Jumping Joy
Let’s walk through the five steps that actually work—without harsh corrections or guilt.
🐾 1. Ignore the Jump, Reward the Calm
When you come through the door and your dog leaps up like a jack-in-the-box?
→ Turn away. No words. No eye contact. No hands.
When their paws hit the ground?
→ Mark the moment: “Yes!” + treat/praise/love.
You’re teaching them: “Jumping makes you disappear. Standing calmly brings you close.”
🐾 2. Teach a Better Greeting
Try this:
Have your pup “sit” before you pet them
Practice “touch” (nose to hand) as a fun alternate greeting
Use treats and repetition to build habit
Start with YOU. Then gradually include family and friends as your dog builds confidence.
🐾 3. Stay Calm Yourself
It’s so tempting to match your pup’s energy when you see them wagging their whole body at the door—but if you bring the hype, they’ll mirror it.
Calm voice. Deep breath. Gentle movements.
Model the greeting energy you want to receive.
🐾 4. Be Consistent (Even When It’s Hard)
If you allow jumping sometimes—like when you're in leggings and not hosting company—it sends mixed signals. Try to hold the same boundary, every time.
This is hard. You won’t be perfect. That’s okay. Just keep returning to calm, consistent practice.
🐾 5. Celebrate Small Wins
Did your dog pause before jumping today? That’s progress.
Did they sit for 1.5 seconds before springing up? That counts too.
Every time you catch and reward the behavior you do want, you’re helping them learn how to win with you.
🐶 Biscuit’s Real-Life Inspiration
Our little muse for this newsletter, Biscuit the Dachshund, is what we lovingly call a “tiny missile of love.”
She’s small, but her energy is huge—zooming through the park, leaping at every friendly face, tail wagging like a propeller.
Her foster family didn’t want to dim that spark—but they did want to teach her that leaping at strangers in a coffee shop wasn’t ideal.
With positive reinforcement (and a lot of sweet potato treats), Biscuit learned to sit for attention. No fear. No punishment. Just clear, consistent, loving boundaries.
And that’s what makes her a truly fearless, well-mannered companion.
🧡 What Your Dog Really Needs
They don’t need harsh words. They don’t need dominance.
They need a guide. A calm, consistent presence. You.
So if you’re feeling frustrated or embarrassed about your dog’s jumping—please hear this:
✨ You’re doing better than you think.✨
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, connection, and shared growth.
🐕 Final Thoughts: Being Fearless
Fearlessness doesn’t always look like charging into danger. Sometimes, it’s simply showing up with love, loyalty, and your whole heart. And no breed captures that quiet courage quite like the dachshund.
They may be low to the ground, but their spirits reach the sky. They love deeply, play boldly, and remind us, every day, that it’s the little things, the small acts of devotion, that leave the biggest mark on our lives.
Whether you already have a doxie at home or one is waiting to find you, know this. You’re part of a family that honors resilience, joy, and the unshakable bond between dogs and the humans who love them.
Here’s to the next adventure. Tiny legs. A wagging tail. A heart that’s larger than life.
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Thanks for being part of our USA Dog family. Whether you're learning something new, loving on your current pup, or opening your heart to adoption, we're here to walk beside you every step of the way.
You’re doing a beautiful job as a dog parent, even on the days that feel messy or hard.
Until next time, give your pup an extra cuddle from us, and remember, you are never in this journey alone.
Wags & gratitude,
Mark
🐾 USA Dog Owners Association