C&D - How to stop your dog from barking and jumping on visitors

Teach your dog that visitors are normal and that they should remain calm.

A great way to do this is by practicing with the doorbell. Ask a friend or family member to ring the doorbell once. When the bell rings, guide your dog to their designated spot and give the command “stay.” If they follow the command, reward them with a treat or praise.

Be patient and don’t force the process. The first few times, your dog might still get overly excited and jump up as soon as the guest enters. Consistency is key - keep practicing until your dog gets used to it.

The real test will be when an unfamiliar visitor arrives. You can simulate this by asking a colleague or someone who has never been to your home before to participate in the training.

Your dog may not react to the doorbell. Some dogs only become excited once the visitor enters. In that case, follow the same exercise as above, but focus on the moment of entry.

Stay calm at all times. Your dog is simply seeking attention. Pushing them away or scolding them often backfires. Instead, reward calm behavior and ignore them if they jump.

If you notice that, over time, your dog sits and looks at you when the doorbell rings or when a visitor enters the room, reward them. This can be with a treat or simply with some extra attention. Show them that you appreciate their calm behavior.

The younger a dog learns not to jump on people, the easier the training process will be. Older dogs can also unlearn this behavior, but it may take more time and patience.