 | Let’s face it, dog greetings can be a tricky thing. One of people’s chief concerns with their dog is their dog’s behavior on leash, especially around other dogs. So, we’ve compiled a list of some Do’s and Don’ts for Dog Greetings: |
- DO: Make sure your dog is in a calm, submissive place before starting your walk.
- DO NOT: Leash up your dog until it is calmly sitting and waiting to be walked.
- DO: Make sure that your energy is calm and assertive before beginning your walk.
- DO NOT: Anticipate the worst. Your dog looks to you for cues and your energy communicates the type of behavior you are looking to receive from your dog.
- DO: Find a neutral place to introduce dogs so that neither is likely to feel territorial.
- DO NOT: Avoid other people and dogs on your walk: This avoidance communicates danger to worry about and a need to step up and protect.
- DO: Keep the lead loose.
- DO NOT: Pull. Tension on the leash tells your dog that you are fearful or anxious and that they should be too.
- DO: Allow the dogs to cross paths with plenty of distance between them, so they can smell where the other has walked.
- DO NOT: Let the dogs meet face to face as that can lead to fights. In the dog world, the initial greeting is side to side.
- DO: Watch the body language of the dogs as they pass and meet.
- DO NOT: Panic or Yell. Remember, our dogs mirror our own state of energy.
If you are unsure or are struggling with these things, it’s okay! We are here to help! Please don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment so that we can help you better understand the do’s and don’ts of dog greetings, what to watch for and how to handle various situations.
BONUS: With Halloween just around the corner, we’ve got some extra Do’s and Don’ts to keep in mind!
- DO: Be Careful With Costumes - Costumes on your pet can cause undue stress. Make sure they are not limiting in any way, that they fit well and don’t have spare things dangling that could be a choking hazard. Consider a festive bandana if your pet seems stressed.
- DO NOT: Leave Decorations and Pets Unattended - Small pieces can be choking hazards if your pet decides to play with them and jack-o-lantern flames can cause fires.
- DO: Keep Your Pet Away From Candy - Chocolate and Xylitol can be extremely toxic to pets. Make sure to keep those sweets well out of reach of your 4 legged friends.
- DO NOT: Allow your pet to roam the room during peak trick-or-treating hours. The high number of strangers and unfamiliar sights and sounds can cause undue stress for your pet and a higher likelihood of your fur friend bolting through the door.
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