What Do Problematic Dog Greetings Look Like?
There are many signs that a greeting is not going well. A dog may make a beeline for, rush at, or jump on the other dog, which is not only bad manners but can also overwhelm or frighten the dog whoâs being charged.
Signs that trouble is brewing include tension anywhere in a dogâs body, facial expressions indicating anxiety, fear or other negative emotions, and/or a tail that is slowly twitching at the tip or stiff or tucked under the body. If a dog lays their head or paw over the top of another dogâs shoulders, that is considered very pushy, making it an inappropriate greeting behavior. Intense staring, another definite no-no, is a behavior that goes beyond rude straight into threatening.
Yelping or other high-pitched vocalizations usually indicate that a dog is upset and not enjoying the interaction. Leaping up, muzzle punching, growling and, of course, biting fall far outside the bounds of acceptable greeting behavior. If one dog sniffs but refuses to let the other dog sniff back, tension may result, and that can lead to trouble.
While dog introductions can go awry because of canine social faux pas, humans sometimes inadvertently make things worse by: tensing up, holding our breath or displaying other signs of nervousness; standing still (which forces the dogs into a prolonged interaction), crowding the dogs, tightening up on the leash, insisting that the dogs work it out, speaking in harsh or anxious tones, or punishing the dogs.
Dogs are sensitive to your behavior and body language, so if youâre nearby when they are in a tense situation, what you do affects them. Do your best to alleviate the tension instead of adding to it. Stay calm and speak in happy, lighthearted tones, perhaps saying something simple like, âThis way!â in an upbeat manner, and then moving away from the other dog. Keep walking if possible, and encourage your dog to move, too. Moving often disrupts the intensity of a greeting that is not going well because it allows the dogs to disengage from the interaction.
Clubs Offering:
You wouldn’t rush over to a stranger at a party and ruffle their hair, so why would you run up to a strange dog and pat them on the head? Just as we have social etiquette for meeting new people, dogs have rules for greetings too. Unfortunately, most people don’t know or respect those rules and that can lead to trouble. A threatened or frightened dog might react with cowering, growling, or even biting. Learn how to greet strange dogs safely and politely so you can more easily make new canine friends.
Unlike people, dogs can’t tell you if they would rather you left them alone. They rely on their owner as spokesperson and guardian to protect them from unwanted attention. Therefore, you should always ask permission from a dog’s owner before greeting their dog. Something as simple as, “Can I say hello to your dog?” will do the trick. If the answer is no, respect that and let the dog be.
All too often, well-meaning people press on after a no. They rush toward the dog stating, “It’s okay, I love dogs.” That’s simply not safe. First, the owner’s concern was for their dog, not for you. Second, just because you love dogs doesn’t mean that dog will love you. A frightened or reactive dog isn’t going to suddenly change their emotional state just because of how friendly you are. You could end up bitten by a dog that feels threatened by your unwelcome intrusion. Trust the owner’s judgment and keep away.
But what if the dog looks friendly and seems to be soliciting your attention? It’s still important to ask the owner. It’s not enough to read the dog’s body language, there could be many reasons why the owner would prefer you stay back. Perhaps they are working on their dog’s bad habit of jumping on people and don’t want you interfering with their training. Maybe their dog has a sore spot they don’t want you to inadvertently pat. Or their dog might get aggressive when strangers come too close to their beloved owner.
Once you’ve asked for the owner’s permission, it’s time to ask for the dog’s. Rather than sticking your hand in the dog’s face or reaching out for pets, wait for the dog to come to you. If the dog approaches you, they are saying they want to meet you. If they hang back, respect they simply aren’t in the mood, despite what their owner said. Not all owners accurately read their dog’s emotional state and some mistakenly believe their anxious dog will get over their fear if enough people say hello. Let the dog have the final word.
To make yourself appear as friendly as possible, turn your body slightly to the side and look at the dog with your peripheral vision. In dog language, head-on approaches and direct eye contact are threatening, so avoid them if possible. You can also kneel down to the dog’s level so you aren’t looming overhead. However, if you are in any way uncertain about the dog, stay standing. After all, kneeling will put your face at bite level.
Dogs don’t shake hands like people do, they use their nose to say hello. So, hold your hand in a fist so they can approach and sniff if they choose. Don’t thrust your hand at the dog. They can smell you just fine from a distance, and the sudden movement could startle them.
Once the dog approaches, it’s finally time to greet them. But be sure to do so in dog-appropriate ways. Restrict your pats to the dog’s side, neck, back, or chest. Even better, ask the owner if their dog has a favorite spot for petting. Avoid reaching over the dog’s head as that is frightening. And don’t hug or restrain the dog in any way. Most dogs dislike pats on the head and hugs. They might tolerate them from their family members, but strangers are a different story.
Go slowly at first and keep your movements calm and steady. This dog is just getting to know you after all. You don’t want to startle them. Read their body language to see whether they’ve had enough after a few moments or if they’re interested in further interaction. Hopefully, it will be clear you’ve made a new friend.
Chad Culp: Certified Dog Trainer
How your dog should MEET other dogs – Real Dog Training #12 #germanshepherds #dog #dogbehavior
Editor’s note: Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? This article appeared in our June/July issue, and we’re thrilled to have Victoria Stilwell as a contributor. Subscribe to Dogster and get the bimonthly magazine delivered to your home. Read an interview with Stilwell on Dogster.
What a luxury it would be for some pet parents if their dogs politely greeted each other by shaking paws and exchanging stories of their favorite smells. In reality, however, dog-to-dog greetings are rarely that smooth. They tend to be excitable or cautious affairs where vocal and physical language is quickly read, risk is assessed, and confidence is tested.
Positive greeting behavior depends on many factors, including sociability, past experience, and desire for personal interaction. The best way to ensure that your dog is a confident greeter is to provide her with a good social foundation as well as positive greeting experiences with other well-mannered dogs.
Dogs who lunge, whine, or bark when they pass other dogs on leash usually fall into one of two categories: anxious and uncomfortable, or frustrated and overexcited. This can pose a challenge while walking outdoors, particularly if you have to fight to keep your dog contained. The following tips will help bring calm to the chaos.
If you want to bring another dog indoors, allow the initial greeting to take place on neutral ground outside first, if possible. If this is not an option, these techniques can minimize the chance of a negative reaction.
If your dog is meeting a new cat for the first time, bring the cat in a carrier so your dog can smell him and the cat feels secure.
If your dog shows any aggressive behavior at any point in the training, contact a qualified positive trainer to help.
About the author: Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer, TV personality, author, and public speaker best known as the star of the international hit TV series It’s Me or the Dog, through which she reaches audiences in more than 100 countries. Appearing frequently in the worldwide media, Stilwell is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior, and is the editor-in-chief of Positively.com and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training, the world’s premier global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers. Connect with her on Facebook and on Twitter.
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