Your Dog Doesn’t Need to Greet Every Other Dog Your Dog Doesn’t Need to Greet Every Other Dog Do you run up to and hug or jump on every person you see on the street? Of course not. Similarly, it’s important to teach your dog not to engage with every other dog they pass during a walk. Teaching your dog this skill helps prevent anxiety, stress, and potential dog fights. Why Dogs Don’t Need to Greet Every Dog As the world reopens after the pandemic, people are bringing their dogs more places and often put pressure on their pups to be social. In reality, it’s far better for dogs to have space and not be forced to interact. Most adult dogs are dog selective or dog tolerant, meaning they don’t want to be greeted by strange dogs. Dangerous Interactions Allowing your dog to greet every dog they see puts them at risk of injury or illness. Unknown dogs might be unvaccinated, ill, or have a temperament that clashes with yours. They may have had negative past interactions or be in training. The other dog may not appreciate being greeted, which can result in lunging or dog fights. This can lead to long-term nervousness or reactivity toward other dogs. Encouraging Neutrality Instead of encouraging your dog to engage with other dogs, teach them neutrality by redirecting their attention toward you. This is easiest to teach in puppies but can also be reinforced in older dogs. Make yourself more interesting and rewarding during walks so your dog learns that attention and play come from you, not other dogs. Creating Space Even friendly dogs need space. If another dog approaches, cross the street or position your dog on the opposite side of you. Creating space keeps dogs calmer and helps maintain focus. Teaching your dog to cross from one side to the other on cue is a useful skill for crowded areas or unexpected encounters. Steps to Teach Crossing: Lure your dog with a treat or toy from one side to the other, then reward. Add a verbal cue like “cross,” “left,” or “right.” Gradually fade out the lure and reward them for following the cue independently. Teaching ‘Watch’ ‘Watch’ is an essential skill to keep your dog attentive and calm during walks. It teaches your dog to make eye contact and ignore distractions. Steps to Teach ‘Watch’: Hold a treat between your eyes to encourage your dog to look at your face. Reward and praise when they make eye contact. Practice with an empty hand, then introduce a verbal cue such as “watch” or “eyes.” Start indoors, then gradually move to more distracting environments. Advocating for Your Dog Sometimes another dog will approach uninvited. Always feel free to interrupt interactions to prevent stress or injury. Your dog depends on you for safety, comfort, and positive experiences when out in public. Meyer’s Tails Up Farm in Belvidere, IL, helps dog owners train, socialize, and care for their pets. From boarding to training and daycare, Meyer’s Tails Up Farm ensures your dog is happy, safe, and well-behaved in every environment.
