Why Dogs Meeting on the
Leash is a BAD Idea
Two dogs meeting head to head while on tense, tight leashes is a recipe for disaster. There are much better alternatives that will set your dog(s) up for happy greetings and successful doggie friendships with your neighbors. It completely goes against how dogs would naturally greet each other.
This type of greeting forces forward gaze, eye contact while the influence of your tense lead makes your dog feel trapped in this uncomfortable, unnatural, head on collision with another dog who will be feeling the same thing. The tight leash often prevents your dog from moving away or sniffing down the other dogs chest and around to the rear end to continue the proper doggie hello.
This type of greeting forces forward gaze, eye contact while the influence of your tense lead makes your dog feel trapped in this uncomfortable, unnatural, head on collision with another dog who will be feeling the same thing. The tight leash often prevents your dog from moving away or sniffing down the other dogs chest and around to the rear end to continue the proper doggie hello.
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When dogs greet one another in natural, off leash settings, you'll often see that they spend very little time head to head.. they will smoothly move onto a yin-yang rear-end smelling situation, move on to something else or begin playing. If two dogs spend too much time stiff, staring at one another head to head in an off leash setting, you might want to intervene because an issue is about to happen!
Some alternatives to these meetings:
1. Keep the leashes loose! A loose leash will allow the dogs to make their own decisions without influence. They can smell one another if they want to, one dog can walk away if they prefer to do so and so on. Never force your dog to approach someone or something they do not want to!
2. Be aware of your dogs and the other dogs cues. If you observe any behavior that leads you to think your dog or the other dog is uncomfortable, too forward, aggressive, tense or afraid, move away with a happy, light voice and energy. Alternatively, some people misinterpret their own dogs behavior into thinking they are happy when indeed they are not. No matter what the owner is tell you about their dog, if you are not comfortable with how the other dog is acting, do no allow interaction.
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3. Simply avoid them. Give yourself some space with passing dogs. Better yet, bring some treats with you on the walk and ask your dog to look at you when passing another dog. This will bring his attention off of the other dog and onto you! his beloved walking partner! Also, don't be afraid to kindly tell another dog owner that your dog needs space.
While leash greetings are a common occurrence, they don't HAVE to happen! People allow these situations to take place because they believe it is the right thing to do but chances are, you would rather have no greeting than a negative greeting! 4. Go for a walk with the dogs side by side. Remember, dogs like passive greetings. A walk side by side allows both dogs to get familiar with one another without forcing interaction. Once they've had a chance to relax and settle down, allow them to greet each other with loose leashes. |
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Written by Jamie Ianello, IAABC-SBA
