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Thanks @zaneb for posing this question, and I am also very interested in the responses. I am training my first dog, Reba, who sounds almost identical to the lab you described. She is a red labrador retriever, which I had not seen before. They did her DNA testing, as she came from a shelter, and it showed 100% labrador retriever from two different testing companies. I’ve been working with her since January, and when we first started, jumping was one of the two main problems the owners were having with her. Good news is, jumping has moved out of the top 2! Still have work to do, but thought I’d share some of the things that have contributed to her reduced jumping.

Initially, when I first started going to the client’s home, I ignored Reba upon arriving. She was always so excited and jumping was her way to show that. I did not make eye contact with her, and tried just walking in and starting to talk to the client. When I saw she was calming down, and had four paws on the ground, I’d throw a treat on the ground. I’d continue to do that as long as she kept her paws on the ground. This evolved to me entering the house and before Reba could jump up, I’d immediately throw a treat on the ground and say find it, while walking into the kitchen. Not a surprise, Reba LOVES “find it” and we use it for many different things beyond jumping.

I realized after a few visits that the treat pouch I was wearing caused Reba to amp up when I came in, so I’d put plastic bags of food in the bag I brought in with a zipped top, and when we started training I’d get them out and grab some or keep them accessible on a table.

I also asked my client to put a leash on Reba when I’d arrive. I always text them when I get to their place and they would allow me to just open the door. Reba was excited and jumpy as I arrived, but I didn’t approach if she was jumping. As soon as she decided to sit, I’d walk in and reward. Initially, she was jumping up right after, but over time she has learned that jumping doesn’t get her the treats and sitting does. Similarly, on some of my visits, I’d ask my client if I could come in through the garage door vs. the front door. I was thinking/hoping that I could casually make an entrance and make it less of an event. That part didn’t work – Reba always got super excited when she saw me. However, what I did do, was walk back out the garage door, and try to re-enter after a few seconds. If she jumped, I’d go back out and try again. It took at least 5 tries the first time we did this, but she eventually realized that not jumping got me to stay in the kitchen. I would tell Reba in a calm voice “yes” for sitting and walk up to her and give her a treat.

What has helped with the training is that the owners are being consistent and not rewarding Reba for jumping. That said, their initial inclination is to say “Reba, down down down”, and then remember that we’re using “off” for not jumping so they’ll switch to that “off, off”. So, they are repeating words and at times, pushing Reba’s paws off them, which I’ve told them is rewarding for Reba. They are working on not saying any words and turning away. I’ve taught Reba touch, and she really loves that, so I am encouraging the owners to ask for a behavior they would like instead of the jumping, and paying Reba for the touch.

Lastly, as the trainer I assist with says in her classes, “a tired dog is a good dog”. When Reba is tired, she is much less inclined to be as jumpy as when she has a lot of energy. I’ve suggested to the owners to play with Reba and burn off some of that energy before I arrive for training. It’s not always possible, as they are working, but I have found it makes a difference when they are able to do it. I introduced them to a flirt pole, and just a few minutes of that tires Reba out. While that’s not a solution for jumping specifically, it speaks to the need to have a mental and physical enrichment plan for a dog to try to prevent or reduce unwanted behaviors.

Good luck and hope you find success!