Autumn is magical - crisp air, crunchy leaves, and cosy walks. But let’s face it… it also means rain, which means muddy paws and enthusiastic greetings. That excited jump up to say hello? It’s sweet… until you’re covered in a splash of autumn muck.
So how do we enjoy seasonal strolls without your dog turning every meeting into a muddy paw incident?
Why Do Dogs Jump Up?
Jumping up is a dog’s way of saying hello. It’s social, exciting, and often reinforced - especially when people smile or respond. But in autumn, muddy paws make it an extra challenge!
Training Tips to Keep Greetings Clean & Calm
1. Start at Home
Before tackling outdoor distractions, train in a controlled environment:
- Practice “sit” and “stay” daily - start with short durations and low distractions, then build up.
- Add a greeting drill - have someone ring the doorbell or walk into the room. When your pup stays seated, reward them with a treat. If they jump, calmly step away and reset.
- Use a consistent cue such as “off” or “stay” so your dog learns the signal for calm behaviour.
- If they won’t sit on cue as too overexcited, try popping a lead on and treading on it to stop them being able to jump up. Remember to reward for all four feet being planted on the ground.
2. Introduce Calm Greetings on Walks
Once your dog masters calm greetings indoors, move training outside:
- Choose low-distraction spots first — an empty park or quiet street.
- Invite a friend to approach your dog. If your dog stays seated, reward generously.
- Gradually increase the level of distraction — busier paths, other dogs passing by, leaf piles blowing in the wind — while reinforcing calmness.
3. Reinforce Calm Behaviour Everywhere
Consistency is everything:
- Always reward calm greetings with a treat, praise, or play.
- If your dog jumps up, ignore them until all four paws are on the ground, then reward.
- Carry small treats so you’re always ready to reinforce good behaviour.
4. Turn Everyday Moments Into Training Sessions
Autumn is full of opportunities:
- Use leaf piles or park benches as training “stations” - practise sits before allowing your dog to explore.
- Before opening the door for a walk, practise “sit” until calmness is rewarded.
- When meeting friends on walks, ask them to greet only if your dog stays seated.
5. Dry Off & Distract
Sometimes muddy greetings happen anyway - that’s ok. Carry a towel or Caboodle treats to redirect excitement. Our Tempting Treats are packed with natural ingredients like sweet potato, chicken, prebiotics, and omega-3 oils to support digestion, immunity, and skin health - perfect for keeping your pup energised for autumn adventures.
Autumn walks should be full of joy, not mud-covered mishaps. With a little training, consistency, and patience, you can make greetings polite and mud-free - all while strengthening your bond.
Happy autumn walks,
Team Caboodle
