If your dog likes to greet other dogs they pass on walks, that’s great – in some ways. It’s nice to have a friendly dog who wants to say hello to people and animals you pass, but letting your dog greet every other pup isn’t always recommended.
When your dog’s on one of the best dog leashes, greeting other dogs can potentially cause issues, both in the short and long term. Expert trainer Carolyn Martell, the founder of Good Dog Training, has explained four reasons why she doesn’t let her dog greet other dogs on leash in a recent post, so let’s find out why below.
1. It can cause fighting
Because leashes create tension and restrict your dog’s natural body language, it can make them more aroused. Imagine two dogs in the same position running into each other’s personal space – even if they’re not usually reactive, it’s not difficult to imagine them not getting on, potentially leading to aggression.
2. It builds obsession
If your pup associates other dogs with playtime, they might become hyper-focused on them.
“That excitement can easily tip into frustration or reactivity,” Martell explains.
3. It worsens recall
Letting your dog greet everyone they pass will teach them that greeting is a default behavior. This can make it harder for you to call your dog away, whether they’re on their leash or not.
4. You want neutrality
“I’m not looking for a dog that drags me toward every pup on the sidewalk,” says Martell. “I’m raising a dog who can walk past distractions and stay connected to me.”
As she sums up, “Friendly doesn’t have to mean social with every dog you meet. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do… is walk on by.”
Even if your dog enjoys greeting other dogs on leash and it always seems to go well, there’s no guarantee that this will always be the case. Even if your dog loves making new friends, other dogs may be more hesitant or scared. And, you risk undoing recall training work in the process.
By not letting your dog greet every other dog they see during walks, you’ll be setting both of you up for a more relaxing experience.
Read next: How to greet a dog (the right way), according to a vet, and 3 of the most common loose leash walking mistakes (and how to fix them)
