You’ve probably found yourself in this position before – you’re walking Petey, your generally polite and friendly dog when he notices a new dog. Whether it’s coming towards you, behind you, or somewhere off to the side, Petey has noticed it before you. He gets turned on, pulls on the leash, barks like a maniac, and you drag him by the neck to avoid confrontation.
Would it really have been so bad to let Petey meet a new friend? Probably not. Dogs are often very excited to see and smell a new dog. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the presentation turns into a nightmare. Introducing two new dogs in the right way makes a difference in the world. Unless you know Petey is aggressive around other dogs, try the Meet and Greet next time, but follow these guidelines.
1. Know when not to approach another dog. If the other owner is making clear avoidance signals, such as crossing to the other side of the street, just pass him or her. If Petey has been aggressive with other dogs, it is best avoided unless you have a professional trainer working with you.
2. Always ask the other owner if you can come over. You may know that Petey is not a biter, but you don’t know anything about this other dog. Just yell, “Can you meet?” The other walker will know exactly what you mean and if they nod or yes, you are good to go.
3. Tell this other owner that your dog is Petey and that he is friendly, but excited. This will give her a chance to introduce you to Luna and any possible quirks she has.
4. No matter how excited you are or how much Petey pulls on the leash, you must remain calm and relaxed. He senses your energy and reacts accordingly. If the meeting makes you nervous, he can feel it.
5. If possible, have Petey come up to Luna with a sniff. This may seem rude to people, but butt sniffing is like a handshake for dogs. There is no more polite way to greet someone new. A face-to-face meeting isn’t necessarily going to be a disaster, but try to lead them to sniff their butt.
6. Once they get that formality out of the way, Petey and Luna will want to sniff at each other. This is also normal and should be encouraged.
7. Watch for signs of aggression. Luna’s owner may not be as conscientious as you are, so keep an eye on both dogs. Tail wags are generally good, but not all tail wags are the same. A stiff, upright tail that moves slowly back and forth is a sign of dominance and can lead to aggressive behavior. If any of the dogs move that way, separate them. If any of the dogs have their tails down between their legs, that dog is scared and you should stop the presentation.
8. Look for signs that everything is okay. A happy wag is one in which the tail is slightly lower and it wags lazily or fidgets. Another positive sign is if the dogs crouch with their front legs outstretched and their rear in the air. This is a play sign and is the best sign you can get that Luna and Petey like each other.
Meeting new dogs with Petey can be stressful or potentially scary. The union of two dogs can result in anything from disaster to a new friend. Take it easy; Be cautious, but relaxed, and read the signals coming from the dogs and disaster shouldn’t be the end result. You may even find a new hiking buddy for you and Petey.