Chewing, digging, jumping
Why does my dog jump up on me when I get home?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Jumping up puts a dog closer to your face, which is where greeting behavior naturally happens between dogs and where puppies once licked their mother's mouth. Excitement after a period apart amplifies it, and if jumping has ever earned attention, even a scolding, it gets repeated.
Face level greeting instinct
Dogs greet each other nose to nose and mouth to mouth, and a puppy's early instinct to lick at an adult's face for attention carries over into how they try to greet a person, which means jumping up toward your face.
Built up excitement
Time apart, even just a work day, builds anticipation, and the moment of reunion is often the most aroused your dog gets all day, which makes calm greeting behavior genuinely harder in that specific moment.
Teaching a calmer greeting
Turn away and ignore all four paws leaving the ground, then crouch down and greet warmly only once your dog has all four paws on the floor. Consistency from everyone in the house matters more than any single technique.
Key takeaways
- Jumping up is rooted in a natural instinct to greet at face level.
- Reunions after time apart are often a dog's most excited moment of the day.
- Rewarding four paws on the floor, and ignoring jumping, teaches the calmer version faster.