Leash Greeting Socialization
Leash Greeting Socialization
I often hear from clients the dog is good with some dogs (and people) but not others. This is said to me as if we expect our dog to like every one, all the time. They simply will not like everyone.
Do you like everyone? Will you be friends with everyone?
Socialization exercises require learning how to greet and who not to greet and not expecting that we will greet everyone. Leash based greetings are permission based.
Leashed-based greetings require manners. I ask the dogs to sit patiently. If they can’t get calm, we don’t greet. If there is too much excitement, it can go wrong quickly.
If anyone in the socialization exercise (dogs or people) is tense, nervous, fearful, or overly excited — say no and try again another day. It’s in this observation that you’ll find where your dog is lands on the spectrum in the graphic below. They will not want to to greet everyone. Do NOT force it. Ever.
Respect what your dog is saying every time. Even if today seems different than yesterday with the same dog. Forcing greetings, or greeting the wrong dog is where fears, trauma, reactivity, and aggression can be created. It’s also a breach of trust in your relationship with your dog.
When allowing your dog to greet — release the sit/stay, and invite them to “say hi”. (Okay, say hi). Let the dogs step forward and the people step back extending the leashes towards the center. Don’t let the dogs circle around each other and entangle the leashes. After a few seconds, recall your dog and have them sit again. Consider if a second greeting is appropriate.
No Play is allowed on leash. This is just a sniff greeting.
If the greeting escalates and you have no reliable recall, simply keep stepping back quickly, adding more distance between your dog and the other. Be sure the other handler does the same.
You must keep in mind big-dog little-dog greetings can horribly wrong in an instant. So if you do not know the dog AND the handler very well for temperament & skills — it’s best to avoid big-dog little-dog greetings.
I also teach my dogs to not approach anyone without permission, and that even if someone is calling them with excitement and reaching out to pet them, they need to listen to me for permission
Graphic Designer unknown