Reduce the Chance of Dog Aggression on the Leash

Out in the ether, there’s a notion that all normal dogs want to greet all other dogs all the time, and will suffer crushing pangs if they can’t do so. Like other unexamined notions about dogs, this one often gets us and them into trouble. In a previous episode, we covered getting your dog to stop yanking on the leash on your walks.  This week, on-leash dog-dog greetings and why I recommend giving them a pass.

On-Leash Greetings: Trouble in Dog Town

Dogs vary in their greeting styles, in how comfortable they are with new canine acquaintances, and in how they respond to strange dogs getting into their personal space. Being on leash can complicate these factors. A tight leash pulls a dog’s body upward, so that her posture may appear challenging to other dogs. Many dogs respond tensely to a direct frontal approach by another dog — but two people walking their dogs will often pass or greet each other head-on. Finally, people don’t always recognize canine signals of unease or even imminent explosion.

The stage can be set for dog-dog greetings that rapidly turn into arguments or even fights, which is no fun for anybody. And for some dogs, especially those who were a bit shy or touchy to begin with, such encounters may have long-term behavioral effects. Many clients have reported to me that their dog’s reactive on-leash barking and lunging at other dogs got its start after a dog-dog greeting that went south.

Your Best Choice: Avoid On-Leash Greetings Altogether

You have two main lines of defense. Alas, the one I prefer really rains on people’s parades: don’t have on-leash meetings with dogs, period. A high-quality manners class using reward-based methods will help you teach your dog to focus on you even when other dogs are around.

Besides lowering the odds that your dog will learn unfortunate lessons, a no-greetings policy helps keep life simple for her. A single rule – “When I’m on leash, other dogs are irrelevant” – is easier to learn and potentially less frustrating than “Sometimes you can and sometimes you can’t.” Life may also be simpler for you if you don’t need to make a decision about every dog you encounter on every walk you take.

Meet and Play with Other Dogs Off Leash

Mind you, I’m not saying that dogs shouldn’t meet other dogs and spend time with them. If they enjoy other dogs’ company, of course they should have dog-dog time! Visit a well-run dog park or day care, or set play dates with friends, or go on country rambles with your human friends and their dogs. By the way, note that adjective “well-run” – some dog parks and day cares are like frat parties gone bad. Check out your options carefully before you go.

If You Do Let Your Dog Greet Friends …

Of course, my universal rule has a sub-paragraph for those of you whose response is “But what about my dog’s friends?” Oh, all right. If your dog has doggy friends whom she’s already met frequently on leash with a good time had by all, they can continue meeting. But please make your dog trainer happy – don’t just let your dog drag you over to her buds. Teach her that if she wants to visit a friend (or a fire hydrant, for that matter), she needs to keep that leash loose all the way. I’ve done a podcast on the subject of polite leash walking. Check out the tips there, and consider taking a manners class that offers opportunities for practice. Also bear in mind that dogs’ behavior may change as they mature. The dog who was your dog’s best pal when they were pups may grow up to be standoffish or even testy with his peers. Or that newly standoffish dog might be your own. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Greeting Canine Strangers as Safely as Possible

If you speed on the freeway, I hope you’re at least putting on your seat belt and turning off the cell phone while you do it. And if I haven’t persuaded you to skip the on-leash dog greetings, then do the following to keep them trouble free. Learn to read dog body language and know what a relaxed greeting looks like. You can certainly ask the other dog’s handler whether her dog likes meeting other dogs, but it’s surprising how many people are either clueless or in denial. I have a vivid memory of walking a friend’s dog into the street one day to avoid an oncoming dog whose handler insisted that he was friendly. Ah, not so much — not with that high, tight posture and arcing tail, those dilated pupils, that hard stare, and the ears and corners of the lips pushed forward. That dog wasn’t even subtle!

Respect Other Handlers’ Warnings

Conversely, if your dog’s interested in another dog, and that dog strikes you as friendly but her handler looks anxious or tries to wave you off, steer clear. My clients report having the same conversation over and over when walking their well-trained reactive dogs. “Please keep your distance,” they beg of the stranger whose dog is dragging her rapidly closer. “Oh, he’s friendly!” the stranger replies, and by now it’s too late for my client to say “But my dog isn’t!” Cue explosions both canine and human. Don’t be that stranger, okay? It’s hard on the reactive dog and his person, and it’s not much fun for your dog to be snarked at, either.

For resources on canine body language and on how to evaluate dog parks and day cares, see the bottom of this page. As for me, I love hearing from my listeners – your questions and comments help shape future shows. Check me out on Facebook, email me at dogtrainer@quickanddirtytips.com, or call 206-600-5661. That wraps it up for this week! Thanks for listening.

Resources

Dog Body Language