Tired of Jumping and Pulling? Teach Manners That Stick 🐕‍🦺💡

Hey Puppy Parent,

Let’s face it, your dog’s enthusiasm can sometimes be...a lot. Whether it's jumping up on guests or turning walks into full-on sniff-and-dash missions, manners matter. The good news? A well-mannered dog doesn’t require harsh discipline, just a little structure, redirection, and the right enrichment tools. 🐾✨

This week, we're focusing on simple, positive ways to improve greetings, make walks more enjoyable, and engage your dog’s brain with fun, focused play.

1. Managing Jumping and Mouthing: Calm Greetings Made Easy 🙌🐶

Dogs jump or mouth out of excitement, not defiance. Teaching polite greetings helps reduce stress, for both of you.

🙅 Ignore the jump: 

No eye contact, talking, or petting. Only engage once all paws are on the floor.

🪑 Teach an alternative behavior: 

Ask for a “sit” or “place” before saying hi. Reward immediately to reinforce the calm response.

🎯 Redirect mouthing: 

Offer a chew toy before they mouth your hands, especially during high-energy moments like returning home.

👨‍👩‍👧 Train your visitors too: 

Ask friends and family to only greet your dog when they're calm, consistency is key!

✨ Pro Tip: Reward calm behavior before the jumping starts. Preemptive praise makes a huge difference.

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2. Social Walks: Making Outings Calm and Connected 🚶‍♂️🐕‍🦺

A good walk is more than exercise, it’s a bonding opportunity and social skill-builder.

🌀 The "engage-disengage" game: 

Let your dog glance at people or dogs from a distance, then reward them for looking back at you.

🧍‍♂️ Practice "stop and sit": 

Every few minutes, stop and ask for a sit. It teaches focus and helps your dog reset.

🐕 Parallel walks:

Walk near another calm dog without interacting directly. It builds confidence and reinforces leash manners.

🧠 Add sniff breaks: 

Allowing your dog to sniff is not a distraction, it’s enrichment. Let them explore in 2-3 designated “sniff zones.”

✨ Bonus Tip: Use walks as mobile training sessions. Bring treats and reinforce behaviors like “watch me,” “leave it,” or “heel.”

3. Interactive Toys to Try: Manners Start with Mental Work 🧩🎾

A mentally satisfied dog is less likely to bounce off guests or pull you down the street.

🎁 Puzzle feeders: 

Turn mealtime into brain games, great for dogs who eat too fast and need extra stimulation.

🧠 Snuffle mats: 

These mimic natural foraging, helping your dog settle into a calm, focused state.

🐾 Tug + release toys: 

Perfect for building impulse control, just be sure to teach “drop it” as part of the game.

📦 Busy box challenge: 

Fill a cardboard box with safe, layered items and treats. Let your pup dig and sniff their way through!

✨ Fun Fact: Just 15 minutes of interactive play can significantly reduce unwanted behaviors throughout the day.

Polite Dogs Are Made with Patience and Play 🐕‍🦺💛

Great manners aren’t about perfection, they’re about practice, redirection, and daily opportunities to reinforce calm behavior. With gentle guidance and the right kind of play, your dog can become a well-mannered companion in any situation.

👉 Looking for tools that support polite behavior and mental health? Don’t miss our guides:
Interactive Dog Toys to Keep Your Pup Entertained and Top 10 Eco-Friendly Dog Toys for Your Furry Friend, brainy, sustainable fun that keeps tails wagging.

Best regards,
The Adoring Dogs Team