A colleague posted an interesting question on her Facebook page last week: “Do you let your dog greet other dogs on leash?”
The question wasn’t as interesting as the trend the answers took. There were almost 200 responses at last check. Most of the responders were professional dog trainers, although I’m sure there were a few pet owners responding, too.
The interesting thing was that the answers followed a trend: dog trainers were emphatic that dogs shouldn’t be meeting on leash, whereas dog owners were either neutral or liked the idea of dogs saying hello while on leash.
Why the discrepancy?
The differences were clear. The pet owners didn’t see anything wrong with letting dogs greet on leash (some even encouraged it), while professional dog trainers rarely let their own dogs greet other dogs while on leash. I think it’s because trainers have thousands more hours experience reading dog body language and can tell, sometimes before the dogs even get to greet, that the interaction won’t be a pleasant one. Many dog owners think that their dog should like — and want to greet — every dog it runs across, when in reality lots of dogs don’t really want to meet (or shouldn’t meet other dogs). Think of it this way: do you want to shake hands with every person you come across in the mall? Probably not — and neither do most dogs want to sniff up another dog.
What are the risks of on leash greetings?
Why are so many professionals against the idea of having dogs greet on leash? Here are some of the common reasons dog trainers keep their dogs out of the “say hi” melee. Here are some of the most popular reasons why dog trainers are wary about letting dogs say hi to another dog while leashed.
Fear of the Unknown
I witnessed a friendly 12 week old puppy trot up to another dog to say hello, only to have the other dog grab the puppy by the muzzle and not let go. The puppy was screaming, the owner was screaming, and the owner of the other dog was horrified. It was ten long seconds of screaming before the other dog let the puppy go.
The moral of this story: if you don’t know the other dog well, it’s safest to keep your dog away. The owner of the other dog may either not know the dog isn’t friendly to other dogs or may not have the chance to say anything to you if you allow your dog to approach too quickly. Sometimes, the other dog might be friendly most of the time, but finds the occasional dog offensive. I’d hate for your dog to be the odd dog that gets the stranger dog riled up.
Bottom line: if you don’t know the dog and the owner really well, keep right on walking — no dog-to-dog greetings. It’s just too risky.
On Leash Greetings are Clumsy
Dogs prefer to greet other dogs in a very specific manner. They like to approach from the side, head down a bit, and like to sniff the rear end of the other dog. When both dogs greet in this appropriate manner, owners can be left trying to untangle leashes and try to dance around to keep up with the dogs. In an instant, dogs (and people) can become entangled in the leashes and doggie tempers can flare with the unexpected restriction of movement. Also, if there is going to be a dog discussion, it’s not a great idea to become entangled in their leashes — the dogs get stuck and can’t get away from one another even when they try (and people get knocked down, too, adding to the chaos).
Other times, leashes prevent the natural greeting behavior and the without the prescribed ritual, the dogs can get the wrong impression of the other dog. If, for instance, a dog would ordinarily approach from the side, but because of the leash restriction must approach from the front, the other dog could find this direct approach a social offense that results in a stiffer body, which in turn signals to the approaching dog possible unfriendliness, and things devolve from there and the result could be an unfriendly discussion.
Feeling Trapped
Our dog, Lily, is a horrible dog-to-dog greeter if she’s on a leash. The restriction of movement that the leash imposes is enough to make Lily uncomfortable around other dogs. That uncomfortable feeling is translated into what dog trainers call “reactivity.” She barks, jumps, and pulls toward other dogs if she’s on-leash — and not in a happy, carefree manner. If she’s off-leash, she’s a happy camper and is quite appropriate with unknown dogs.
I suspect that Lily’s reactivity is caused by some conflict — one part of her would really like to greet the other dog, but she’s not exactly comfortable with the situation and the leash restricts her ability to get away if she chose that option. Therefore, when the opportunity to greet is presented, we get two different reactions depending on whether she’s on leash or off.
Reinforces Bad Habits
Even if both dogs are friendly and would love saying hello to one another, they’re likely so excited to see one another that they forget their leash manners. You might think “Oh, what’s the harm in a little pulling when they’re visiting friends?” The harm is that dangerous and inappropriate behavior is being reinforced. Reinforced behaviors get stronger, better, and occur more often — do you really want your dog to get better at pulling? Pulling to get to another dog is problematic for several reasons: (1) you’re reinforcing pulling — the dog gets what he wants when he pulls; (2) pulling is dangerous for you and for the dog. You could fall, hurt your arm/shoulder, or any number of other injuries. (3) Tight leashes can contribute to tension between dogs which can increase the stress level of one (or both) dogs. Often, when greeting on tight leashes, dogs will explode into barking and lunging which can turn quickly into a dog fight that no one saw coming.
Better Alternatives to Leash Greetings
So what’s an owner to do? You’ve got a dog who loves to play with other dogs and who probably craves that social interaction and physical activity. How can you get your dog the socialization and exercise he so desperately needs?
Fenced Yards
Securely fenced yards are the best places to let dogs play with pre-screened, compatible dogs. Our neighbor has a great dog, but her yard isn’t fenced. So when our dogs are driving us batty from being cooped up too long, we simply text one another and she’ll bring her dog over to our fenced yard. I’ll let our dogs out and let the fun unfold. Of course, we supervise their play and end it when the dogs get tired.
Parallel Walking
If you have a friend with a dog, leash up your dogs and go for a nice long walk together. Parallel walking keeps the dogs busy walking, but they’re able to have some social time as well. All their needs are being met and you’re getting some exercise and social time with your friend. It’s a win-win for the dogs and the people.
Trail Hikes
Another option to get your dog some exercise and social time is an on-leash hike with a doggie buddy. Sometimes the trails won’t let the dogs enjoy parallel walking, but going single-file on a trail is fine, too. The sights and sniffs on a trail hike are amazing for the dogs and just like parallel walking, they’re able to get several needs met (and you, too)!
You may notice that I’ve not mentioned dog parks as an alternative. I like dog parks if they’re empty. I don’t like the free-for-all that happens at dog parks if there are inappropriate, overly enthusiastic, rude, bullying, or aggressive dogs. If you removed those dogs from the park there’d be very few dogs left in the dog park. I’m all for finding your dog’s bestie and heading off to an empty dog park so the dogs can enjoy a leash-free romp. But to walk up to a populated dog park where you don’t know all the dogs and their owners and just let your dog take his chances with whoever happens to be there — that’s a risk I’m not willing to take regardless of how much exercise my dog could get. I can provide a safer, more structured, less stressful exercise environment than a dog park with unknown dogs.
We want to hear from you: do you let your dog meet other dogs on leash?
Love, love, love this. Wish I had written it! It’s going straight to my Facebook page. If I had a nickel for every time I have had to explain this to a client I would have Warren Buffet plus Bill Gates money. Thank you!!
Hahaha, Christy! Love it. 🙂 Yeah, we’d be rich, wouldn’t we!
GREAT article and so very logical. I very-much dislike leashed greetings for all of the reasons you describe, not to mention our Golden is exuberant and prefers the person over the dog most times. This makes for a messy greeting and does nothing but stresses me. I am not a dog trainer, but it seems I’ve been trained to think like one (ahem), and our fenced back yard is the best place to meet and greet and play stress-free! Thank you, Laurie!
Thank YOU, Robin! We love backyard meet and greets, too!
Very logical and full of good old common sense!! Walking dogs would be much easier if folks knew about and followed these guidelines. Love your articles Laurie!!
Aw, thanks, Terri! Glad to hear the articles are helpful. I, too, wish more people would let their dogs pass other dogs by. It’d make for easier and less stressful walks! 🙂
Loved this article — had to share it. I am a trainer. You are spot on about dog parks.
Thanks, Rita! I think sometimes people are surprised to hear that a lot of dog trainers wouldn’t come close to a dog park with our own dogs. 🙂
In general, I heartily dislike ‘on leash greetings’. Although I have taught them in class — dogs on leash, owners greeting each other while the dogs sit beside their own person.
Yes! People greeting people is fantastic to teach with dogs. A little bit of manners-training can go a long way! Sounds like you’re providing lots of good stuff for your clients!
This makes me feel hopeless about my dog. Our only interaction with other dogs would be at the dog park. How in the world can I determine who agreeable the other dogs are to her or if it is empty before leaving the house?
Get out without your dog and meet some of the other dog owners! Don’t be hopeless, but also if you meet with my dogs, please respect when I am say sorry, but no!
Thanks to all of you for these great ideas! I appreciate it!
Another idea I would like to offer (and I realize every dog and owner is different) is to walk along the edge of the park area just inside the fence. After a few dog park visits that turned a little hectic for both of us, I now walk around the park’s edge along the fence. Hannah tends to stay within a close distance to me, and I find she checks where I am quite often. We steer clear of the middle or area where people/dogs seem to gather. I have also learned when it tends to be less crowded.
Another idea to try is setting up play dates with a few dogs from the dog park that you know your dog enjoys playing with.
Thank you! I shared this article with our walking group. If anyone is in the area you are welcome to practice safe socialization with us! My friend Shelly heads it up every week and posts the park and time on her FB page “Furendly Walks of Southeastern Virginia”.
I don’t think leash greeting is a problem as long as it is done in the same way as off leash dogs will meet ie in a side on fashion rather than face to face as a human does. I want control of at least one dog in an unknown meeting event rather than leave it up to the dogs … one of the reason dog parks have a bad reputation as the unknown factor is multiplied and often at least one dog is unsocialised while its owner is preoccupied with non-dog matters! That is when problems do occur.
Fantastic article. Makes me feel much better about preferring to walk by other dogs. I’ve gone through the tangled leashes and people thinking it’s okay to walk their dogs in the neighborhood unleashed and none of it turns out well. Thank you for sharing this valuable information.
Great article, I was beginning to think I was antisocial because I never want to engage in the doggie leash stop, my idol Ceasar talks about calm , assertive energy but if I just know something bad is going to happen I’d have to be medicated to be calm during those type of interactions. The article really made me feel much better about myself even the end comments about dog parks I whole heartedly agree with.
Cesar is a hack, there are far better trainers that actually understand canine learning and behaviour. I advise you to do a little research on the matter and you’ll see why I say this.
No amount of being calm and assertive will make a dog aggressive dog non-aggressive. Only training and management can help with that.
Stupid article … Ludicrous advice
What an insightful comment! Care to elaborate (not that your original comment doesn’t already say it all) on what you specifically find ludicrous about the advice?
This has to be one of those unfortunate dog owners we run into and just scratch our heads as to who should be leading who, its a shame ANYONE can own a dog.
Sensible advice. If I am going to the local beach I tend to take my three who can cope with pet owners’ dogs – you know, the ones whose dogs are “just being friendly”. I go on hikes with the others or lead walk in the street where we know that we can cross the road to avoid that sweet little yapping pooch on an extending lead . . . .
Anthea, I hear you! Yes, if we’re going somewhere where there’s bound to be other dogs, certain dogs stay home. haha
One thing really made me smile. Last year I added two Staffie crosses to my brood (the others a mongrel, a spaniel, and spaniel/collie cross.) The Staffies are both friendly and generally ignore or politely greet other dogs, humans etc. They worked wonders for preventing people from letting their dogs race up to mine. The reactive girl was on her lead. The others off lead. Funny how the pet owners were able to stop those ‘just being friendly dogs’ from running up to us when they saw the much maligned bull terrier types. Made our walk a whole lot easier – kept the marauders away from my girl on leash.
NO. I don’t let my dogs greet unknown dogs on lead. It is different with dogs we know.
All except Mad Millie, the Speagle. I try to stop her greeting EVERY other dog, but she has a remarkable effect on other dogs and even those that generally would attack another dog, seem to tolerate her. I try to stop it, and I would NEVER ever blame the other dog if it did hurt Millie. She IS learning — I can work her off lead in Club classes now without her taking off the meet and greet every other dog!!!
Mad Millie — that name! I love it! She sounds like a lovely girl. Good job with the training, keep it up! And thanks for dropping by!
I agree with a lot of what is said in this article. I have 2 Female Great Danes Lily is a very clumsy greeter and can make the wrong impression on both dog and its owner. Then there is my Daisy she is so mild mannered she would not hurt a flee. She is the gentle careful greeter that uses her manners when approaching other dogs. Even though I have raised dogs for 40 yrs. and know and read them pretty well I still am cautious when approaching other owners and their dogs on leashes. Where I am at in my neighborhood for walking it is sometimes impossible to get away from passing these situations with other owners. I will cross the street just to avoid this situation.
Yep, I’m a street crosser, too. Not because my dogs are bad, but because I’m not sure if the other dog is friendly or wants to say hello.
Absolutely a great article!!! I was really beginning to wonder if all my efforts at learning about dogs etc…was a waste, however, this article redeemed so many of my beliefs I cant thank you enough Laurie and I hope you are still out there writing!!!
I completely disagree. I have been a lifelong dog owner (now I have a setter and a chihuahua) and I would never stop them from greeting another dog if they wanted to – whether on the leash or off. I find that engaging your dog in antisocial behaviour such as that is part of why dogs are not friendly to other dogs. And it would be great if everyone took their dog to the dog park, but they don’t. So we say hi on the street on our walks, and I think you’re a jerk if you cross the street. I’m sure your dog probably thinks you’re a jerk, too.
I wonder if you still think I’m a jerk for crossing the street, when you’re dog runs up to say hello to my gentle giant who is a beautiful Saint Bernard, that does not tolerate rude obnoxious people allowing there ‘just being friendly’ dog to run up to us on a leashed walk, and will very quickly chastise your pooch, by holding him down by the neck, while he and you scream bloody murder.
Exactly! I would much rather cross the street than have an altercation. Hopefully people understand that and don’t think I’m a jerk when I do it.
Great article – I never let my dog meet and greet unknown dogs. I recently rescued a 5 yr old Saint , not really sure how he is with other dogs. He “reacts” aggressively to dogs in their yards while on a walk, but I wanted to introduce him to my daughter’s dog(s) (1 at a time) because we are each other’s go to person in case of emergency. Today we walked parallel in neutral territory – a nearby park. A little growling at first, after awhile of walking together the 2 dogs were fine together – maybe not besties yet, but at least tolerant of each other. We’ll see how it goes with dog #2 next week!
Sounds like a great plan and that it worked well! I like to take things slow and easy like that, too. Hope it goes well with the second dog, too!
No no and no I don’t do or recommend to my clients
http://www.poochped.com/training/walks-fun-exercise-or-an-opportunity-to-create-reactivity/
No no and no..wrote a blog about it. http://www.poochped.com/training/walks-fun-exercise-or-an-opportunity-to-create-reactivity/
Thank you for a really great article!
Thanks, Jo!
I feel like a rude person because I avoid ‘leash’ greetings when walking my German shepherd. He’s quite sociable and generally friendly, but I’m well aware that he does not and will not get along with every dog we see. I’m also aware of how other dogs react to him, especially when both dogs are leashed. He’s cute and cuddly looking (a long-haired) so other dog walkers always want to greet him. My rule is to decline unless he knows the dog and they get along. We often walk with his best friend, our neighbor’s Portuguese Water Dog, and they are great together. She even comes over for play dates. He’s also perfectly happy walking with other dog friends. He’s respectful and well-behaved on-leash, and if a strange dog doesn’t approach him, he simply ignores the dog.
My biggest issue on neighborhood walks is an enormous Huskie owned by an elderly woman. She has no control over the dog and, unfortunately, my dog tends to be reactive to Huskies- not all Huskies, some big males in particular, probably because they stand upright and stare at him. It is always such a chore getting past her, my dog barking as her dog hauls her in my direction. I’m worried she’ll fall and get injured. Plus I don’t want the dogs to actually come face to face on-leash. I know an all-out fight would ensue. I avoid her when possible but there are times when I’ve come around a corner and there she is. She ignores me when I tell her I don’t want the dogs to greet each other. I would think my dog’s barking would be warning enough!
Any suggestions? Thanks!
Turn around and walk the other way if you see her coming, or walk behind a car / building / bush etc to block line of sight between the dogs. Maybe next time you see her without the dogs present, you can approach and explain to her (in a polite way) why you don’t want the dogs to meet.
Thank you for replying! Yup. That’s what I’m trying to do. When I see her coming I turn around and walk the other way. As long as my dog isn’t close to her dog, he doesn’t care a lick. The issue is when I turn a corner and bang! there she is. Yesterday I walked my dog across someone’s yard to keep a healthy distance between our dogs. Seems to be up to me to enforce the rules. She simply can’t and won’t. I’m just hoping nobody yells at me for walking across their grass!
I never see her when she’s without her dog, unfortunately. This last time I was very clear with her about the fact that I did not want the dogs to meet and greet. She stared at me like I was speaking Martian. So Jake and I will do the best we can. Can’t always get what you want. 🙂
The only real reason I don’t like my dog greeting other dogs on leash is because she always does the circling “you sniff my butt I sniff yours” thing, which although is good dog greeting behaviour, unfortunately it often leads to tangled leashes. Sometimes when tangled up she gets freaked out as the other dog gets crammed against her – then she yelps and tries to escape. I usually drop the leash when she starts the circling thing so that it won’t get wrapped around the other leash. She’s good on leash and will remain near me so I can grab her when she’s done her thing. If we’re by a busy road I won’t let her greet on leash as it’s too dangerous should she get tangled.
She doesn’t like greeting offleash dogs much – she’d much rather greet a leashed dog (as she knows it can’t chase her if she should decide to run) and she’s much more defensive and wary when greeting offleash dogs.
Thank you- well said- Each situation has to be looked at carefully and cautiously, but definitely feeling more confident about the choices I’m making! Thanks again!
Kimberly, thanks for stopping in. I’m glad to hear you’re feeling good about the choices you’re making. Keep up the good work.
How to tell if dogs are compatible to play in a fenced area? My shelter rescue dog is leash reactive, aggressive towards dogs on a walk but friendly in bigger groups.
Hi Julita, thanks for stopping in. Yes, it can be difficult to determine if your dog is able to play with others off-leash in a fenced area. I was lucky enough to have another skilled dog trainer who had a really stable, laid-back dog to whom I could introduce my dog, Lily, to. We went slowly, were prepared for aggression from Lily, but thankfully, she did great. That’s how I figured out that she was going to be ok off-leash in a fenced yard when meeting new dogs. I never took her to a dog park because there are a lot of unknowns at a dog park, I only let Lily play with dogs I knew personally and who were really laid back.