Kids back at school? Stop your dog from jumping up when they come home with these quick tips!
As the school term begins, many families notice a change in their dog’s behaviour when the children return home. After a long day apart, it’s only natural that your dog feels excited to see their favourite humans again—but without clear guidance, that excitement can easily turn into jumping, grabbing, or other unwanted habits.
The key to preventing this is simple preparation. Before your children leave for school each morning, pop a few dog treats into their pocket. When they walk through the door later in the day, encourage them to ask the dog to sit straight away. Rewarding calmness in that moment teaches your dog that polite greetings earn attention and treats, while jumping up does not.
Equally important is the energy we bring into the home. If the children rush in squealing with excitement, your dog will mirror that energy and quickly tip over their threshold. By keeping voices calm, movements steady, and instructions clear, you’re setting your dog up to succeed. Dogs thrive on consistency—if every homecoming includes the same routine of “sit first, reward second,” they soon learn what behaviour is expected.
Teaching your dog to sit, lay down, or settle is a great way to replace the habit of jumping up. These behaviours give them something positive to focus on, while also creating a safe and calm environment for the children. Best of all, it doesn’t take extra time or complicated training plans—just a handful of treats and a bit of forward thinking.
With this simple routine, school pick-up time transforms from a chaotic rush into a calm, happy reunion. The children feel safe, the dog feels rewarded, and everyone enjoys a smoother transition back into family time.
