The Do's and Dont's of Meeting Others

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity The Do’s and Dont’s of Meeting Others by Alpha Dog Training https://www.alpha-dog-training-slc.com (801) 910-1700 Cities are becoming increasingly more dog friendly, which is awesome for those of us with four-legged friends! Dog-friendly restaurants/bars, outdoor events specifically for pups, and an array of lovely dog parks are just a few perks of living in our dog friendly communities. Of course, with so many dogs around, some challenges may start to crop up. One of the trickier situations we encounter is when dogs meet on leash. A leash is a type of barrier, just like a fence or crate is. In this way, the leash can be a source of frustration or create a feeling of being “trapped” for some dogs. Many dogs are fine meeting on leash. However, some may be reactive and could be triggered by another stepping into their “bubble”. There are some dogs who may be dog-aggressive, with or without a leash on. The trouble is, it can be impossible to tell before the dogs are already nose-to-nose. So, here are some tips to make sure outings are positive experiences, for both doggies and humans alike! 1. Give Space: When encountering another dog on a walk, leaving at least a leash distance (~6ft) of space will keep frustration down for excitable dogs and stress down for anxious dogs. 2. Side-by-side Walking: If you are in a situation where a meeting of your dogs might be inevitable then you can use the technique of side by side walking! Instead of forcing your dogs to meet nose-to-nose, have the other owner walk their dog next to you as you walk yours, leaving plenty of space between them. 3. Polite Greetings: While in the process of parallel walking, drop back with your dog, and allow your dog to sniff the other dog from behind. Allow no more than 3 seconds, then gently guide your dog back towards you and continue walking. 4. Meet humans politely too! Being on a leash when meeting new people can also cause anxiety for some dogs, especially if it is a small child. Space is key here again, at least until you see how your dog may be feeling about this new person. If you sense any nervousness, or you know your dog is not a fan of new people, feel free to ask for even more space and continue on your way. 5. Ask for Permission: Walking right up on someone with a dog you do not know is not only rude, but potentially dangerous. If you would like to meet a new doggie, always ask “Is your dog friendly?” or “May I meet your dog?” first.

While you enjoy the last warm evenings of the year, make sure your fuzzy friend is enjoying them too! Keeping potential encounters while on-leash either nonexistent or as stress-free as possible is a great way to make sure outdoor hang-out sessions are a fun time for all.