The Ultimate Guide to Doggie Introductions
THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO DOGGIE INTRODUCTIONS
How dogs greet is incredibly important.
If you do it wrong, you’re much more likely to see a dog fight or dogs get anxiety problems.
If you do it well, though, you can set the tone for how the dog will deal with their dog relationships.
Unfortunately, most people simply let dogs greet with zero thought for how it should be best done.
Here are 8 Tips for having dogs greet properly:
1. Neutral territory
If your dog has territorial aggression and you are bringing dogs into your home, your dog's safe place, this can be incredibly stressful and lead to dangerous situations.
2. No high value treats/toys
Make sure to not have any special bones, treats, toys, etc. around that your dog may feel extra territorial over.
3. No leash tension
If you are walking your dog and they are pulling or lunging to get to the other dog, this can lead to fights. Both dogs are going to be uncomfortable right off the bat.
4. No excitement
If we get our dogs overly excited to be meeting other dogs, this can lead to anxious or reactive behavior, which again, can lead to fights.
5. Nobody on the ground
If you are taking a knee when dogs are meeting one another, the dog is going to be standing over you and you will become a high value possession, and they are likely going to fight over affection from their owners. Try to stay aloof.
6. No meeting in the first 10 minutes
The more strained your dog's social interaction is, make sure you are really sticking to this tip. Dogs don't need to be sniffing each other to be able to get information from the other dog. All they need is to be near the other dog for 10 minutes and to be able to exchange eye contact, exchange smells, etc. By the time they meet, they will already know the things about this other dog that they need to know so we can reduce the awkward and intense interaction.
7. Be in charge
We need to have our dogs in an obedience mode before they are allowed to meet another dog. Examples of this would be calling your dog back to you several times, have them be in a down stay around the other dog, heel them around for a few minutes, etc. We want them in an 'obedience mode,' rather than a 'let's discover the world mode.' There will always be time to discover the world, we need the dog focused on their owner, so they are in the right mindset beforehand.
8. Be willing to walk away
If there is a gut feeling your dog should not be meeting another dog, please listen to that. We can always try again later, and we don't want to get into a situation where a fight occurs, and a lot of damage is done which will take a lot of time and work to undo. If it doesn't seem right, if body language is off from anyone or any dog, if you don't have time to do it properly, just walk away.
In conclusion, dog introductions are a crucial part of your dog's social development and can set the foundation for positive relationshps with other dogs. By following these 8 essential tips, you can ensure that every interaction is safe, calm, and successful. Remember, taking the time to introduce your dog to others, thoughtfully will not only prevent unwanted conflicts but also help your dog build confidence and trust in you as well as in their social encounters.
