Having doubts about the real identity of your furry buddy?
Are they a dog or a disguised kangaroo?
Because you’ve never seen such a ‘springy’ one in your life.
And they keep on prancing like there’s no tomorrow.
Is it a habit? Or is something making them do it?
Is it even possible for them to stop?
Well, hold those questions for a minute. And…
Read on to find out:
- Why some dogs love to do it.
- What could they be trying to tell you.
- Whether it’s a positive or negative behavior.
- 5 tips on how you can make them refrain from jumping.
- And many more…
Table of contents
Why does my dog jump up and down?
Your dog jumps up and down because they’re overjoyed and so excited at the moment, it’s their way of saying hi, they want to grab your attention, or they’re trying to see and smell something too high for them. The behavior can also be due to so much pent-up energy, stress, and encouragement.
7 reasons why your dog jumps up and down
#1: It’s a jump of joy
“I’m so happy right now that I can’t control my body!”
Does your dog keep on bouncing off the floor when they see you preparing dinner? Or…
Do they act like this when you come home from work?
Well, either way, both of them suggest only one thing – over excitement.
It’s usually caused by extreme happiness or great anticipation of something.
Let me give you some scenarios to think about.
What would you feel after passing an admission test at your dream college or seeing your fave band at a concert?
You’ve waited for it for so long and now you’ve seen it through your eyes. So you’d feel ecstatic, right?
And that’s what your dog might be feeling too.
So your pooch jumps like they’re on a trampoline because they can’t hide their excitement. And it’s usually accompanied by intense tail-wagging and sparkling eyes.
They must be very happy seeing you prepare their food. And they can also be very impatient so they jump to see what’s going on.
It’s like they’re telling you to hurry up because they can’t wait any longer.
When you come home, your dog might have also waited for hours for your return. So they express their happiness by welcoming you with high energy.
Dogs may also jump before you take them out for a walk as they might have been anticipating it since early in the morning.
Some may also jump in joy when they see another dog on the TV or outside the house. They might even bark and get crazier.
It’s also more common in puppies and young dogs as they get fired-up easily even in small things – like when they see you holding a treat.
#2: They’re so stressed – in a good way
Not all pressure is bad…
But too much of something, even good, can be harmful too.
A study shows that jumping up is one of the signs of a dog with ‘eustress,’ or beneficial stress.
It’s an enjoyable tension that often comes from exercising or doing things they love so much.
Once their body produces stress hormones because of that, it won’t be easy to get rid of them.
It may even last up for days so your pooch might feel more excited in the next few days.
#3: To see/smell something better
What do you do when you want to see something but it’s too high?
You either get a stool or a ladder to aid for your lack of height. But what can you do at the moment by yourself?
You jump and try to have a peak, right?
Now, it might be the reason why you see your pooch springing after you baked some cookies and put them on the counter.
They must’ve smelled so good. That’s why their mind went crazy. They want to investigate and it’s the best way to get closer to them.
You may also see some dogs prancing up and down by a window to see better. They might want to have a better view of you or they saw a dog inside a car.
#4: It’s their way of greeting you
In some cases, it might just be their way of saying, “Hello. It’s so nice to see you!”
Apart from being excited, the behavior must have been natural in them. But it’s also possible that they’ve developed it during their ‘puppy days.’
Have you noticed how dogs greet each other? They sniff and interact snout-to-snout.
And that might also be their reason for jumping. It’s because they want to reach you and express their love.
Being their parent, you’re their favorite person, so they might do it when you come home or when they see you first thing in the morning.
They love you and might also think there’s something fun to happen – like a bonding time or giving them treats.
#5: To get attention
“Hey, I’m here! Notice me!”
You’re just eating lunch at the table peacefully…
But then you see something in your peripheral vision.
And much to your surprise, it’s your dog bouncing like a ball beside the table.
They might just want you to notice them. Also, they’re hoping to have a piece of the meat you’re eating there on your plate.
They might also do it as an invitation to play.
Look at this little pup trying to get the attention of another pooch:
It’s like people waving their hands to be recognized or seen. And they can’t do that. So they might think that jumping is the way to do it.
It might become annoying at times. And it’s said that most dogs can have this behavior.
Researchers in Iran asked 234 people about the unwanted behaviors their dogs have. And 95% of them voted ‘jumping’ as one of the top 3. While aggression and too much barking are the other two.
And it’s a pretty smart move because who can’t ignore that?
#6: You encouraged the behavior
I want you to think back on your past reactions to this behavior.
Have you screamed in a high-pitch voice when you see your dog bouncing one meter off the ground?
And do you always pet them and give them treats after?
If so, they might be doing it because you rewarded the behavior. And now, they think it’s only right to do so.
Well, it’s understandable because it’s an adorable sight to see. And no one could resist a dog like that for the first time.
But what about the second time it happened, the third one, and so on…?
It might have also started as a habit from the beginning and turned into an attention-seeking behavior. And that’s possible if the action is usually praised by you and other people.
Training in dogs is never-ending. Like how learning is the same for us, humans.
Most of their behaviors came from how their parents reacted to them. And if the action usually earns a lot of attention, they’ll likely do it again to receive the reaction they want.
Fun fact: Studies discovered that there could be a connection between the personality of a human and their dog. An excited furry buddy can be a result of being owned by a lively person.
#7: They’re bursting with energy
One of the reasons why dogs can be over-excited is due to a lack of stimulation.
They might have overflowing energy they still haven’t released all day. So it’s hard for them to keep calm.
It’s not a good idea to keep a dog unhappy and discontented. That’s because it might result in bad behaviors.
“But I walk them every day? Am I not doing it right?” you might ask.
Yes, it’s good to take them out for a stroll. But given the fact that not every dog is the same, it can be enough for some breeds but not for your fur buddy.
So, they might need to do more physical activities than walking.
Some working dogs might prefer to do more active ones like hiking or playing fetch.
They might also need to keep their brains working most of the time. This makes them focused so it calms them down.
5 tips to stop your dog from jumping up and down
Experts say that a puppy’s growth plates are still developing and constant prancing might harm them in the long run. While a full-grown adult is prone to arthritis or joint pains.
So it’s best to take action to avoid those and prevent causing any trouble.
#1: Act normal
What could be better than cure?
Prevention, right?
And making your dog calm as much as possible is the way to do it.
For example, when they’re so excited to greet you when you come home, you need to:
- Be neutral every time you open the door. Don’t give in to those adorable puppy eyes and pawing actions. You can do it.
- You must control your emotions and not give them the ‘excited’ reaction.
- Avoid giving cuddles when you see them.
- Don’t have eye contact with them. It’s better to not face them and turn sideways. This way, they’ll know that you aren’t giving them any attention like you always do.
- Also, speak in a normal tone. Don’t say anything high-pitched for now. Unless they sit and give up on jumping.
- If they’re still prancing, ignore them until they settle down.
- You may also try exiting again and enter the front door once more.
- And if they’re calm this time and their paws are all on the ground, give them some treats.
Of course, they’ll be confused at first because it’s not the reaction they’re expecting. But if you repeat this many times, they’ll learn that it’s better to be still to get your attention.
Note: You should also do this if they jump before going for a walk. Ignore them and don’t go outside of the house until they’re on all fours.
#2: Make them “sit” instead
Next from keeping them still, is to build up their obedience.
If a dog knows how to listen to their parents, things will be so much easier.
And also, it’s like a 2-in-1 package because they’ll learn cues and you’ll form a stronger bond with them too.
How to make them sit
If your dog already knows it, it’s much better. They just need some recalls to do.
But if they don’t, here’s what you need to do:
- First, you have to prepare small pieces of treats – and patience.
- Then go somewhere quiet and place yourself in front of them.
- Using a treat in your hand, grab their attention.
- Make sure they’re focused on the goodies you hold.
- Next, place your hand close to their nose.
- Slowly move it upwards towards their head. This would make them follow your hand so their bum will touch the floor.
- Now say “sit” in an excited tone (this is an exception since you’re teaching them a cue).
- If they do that, reward them with the treat. Give them some praises too. They’re going to love that – it’s a motivation to make them do it again.
- Repeat the steps.
- When they seem to be sitting quickly, you can remove the treat. It means that they’re picking it up. So just try to say the cue word “sit.”
This might be fairly easy since most dogs naturally get the command.
Redirect them
Now, when they know how to sit, you just need to make them do it instead of bouncing up and down.
When it seems like they’re about to do it, get their attention. You can show them a treat or a toy – whichever is more effective for your dog. Then tell them to sit.
If they listen, they’ll get a reward. But if they don’t, never give them attention until they obey you.
Note: While training, don’t shout or push them away. Keep it positive and avoid things that’ll only make them scared of you.
#3: Release their energy
An overly excited dog has a huge amount of pent-up energy in their body.
So, what’s the best thing to do to de-stress?
Right! It’s through exercise.
So if your pooch seems to be active like a Husky, the usual short walks in the park might not be enough for them.
You can try out some other stuff that’s more challenging like catching frisbees.
And while you’re on that, you can also make them do some commands like “sit” and “fetch” when they return and get the frisbee.
Agility training
If your dog is naturally a ‘jumper’, you might not need to discourage the behavior.
Instead, you’ll train them to use it properly and hop safely.
According to AKC, agility training is a good way to socialize, exercise, and build a stronger bond with your dog.
There are so many benefits for both of you. Although it’ll require more time for you as you need to be there.
You can search the web for the nearest local clubs around you. Getting a consultation with an instructor will be helpful to make sure what type best suits your dog.
Before you even try out, you can look for DIY setup plans and transform your yard.
You may start with obstacles that are not too hard for your dog. Remember that it’s for warm-ups only. So don’t get too serious.
This video can give you ideas on how to build a cost-efficient one for starters:
#4: Tire their minds too
It’s not balanced when you just wear them out physically.
And it wouldn’t affect them, as they would still demand some mental stimulation.
You can give them interactive toys like puzzles which they can solve and put their minds into.
A chewy kong with a delectable inside might get your dog’s attention. You can also make this an alternative to their feeders sometimes.
By doing this, they’ll be able to use their mind to get their food. And they’ll enjoy it too as it gives a feeling of satisfaction.
Also, if you want a game, you can make them find the treats by sniffing.
Just make sure that it’s the stuff that they want so they’ll be eager to get them all.
- Place a small treat in your one hand then show it to them.
- If they see it, toss it on the floor while saying “get it” or any cue word close to it.
- And when they’ve found it, say “very good” or “yes” to let them know that they did a wonderful job.
If they already know what to do, you can try an even harder setup. Like hiding the pieces of treats around the area. And make them find it while also saying the command.
By using their senses, different parts of their brain will work. And once they’re tired, they won’t have the energy to be hyper anymore.
Do this regularly and see improvements in your pooch’s behavior.
One of the reasons why they get over excited is when they see another dog or other people.
You can go out often for a walk with your pooch while they have their leash on.
Whenever they try to pull because they see another hound, you should gently tug them towards the opposite direction.
You can make them “sit” as well and offer treats to redirect their focus. And reward them too if they keep still.
Just do this until they’re not too ‘aroused’ when they see someone.
Also, you can ask your friends or family to help you with the training. They can join the sessions and interact with your dog.
That might work better than a park filled with strangers. But it still depends on your dog.