Want your dog to get out and about? We have everything you need to know to make it go smoothly.
Introducing your dog to other dogs out in public can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We explore the best ways to go about fostering meetings between dogs and what to watch out for.
We can’t stress enough that your dog’s pace is the one you need to stick with, no matter how slow it may be. That includes not forcing your dog to be social if they’re very clearly not in the mood—whether that means you postpone a walk, or cut a walk short because they are done for the day.
If you're noticing that your dog is in fact feeling social, a way to ensure safety is top of mind is to keep your dog on a leash during an initial introduction. Once they’ve established eye contact with another dog, you can allow them to sniff the approaching pup.
Just as a human can get overwhelmed in social situations, so can a dog. That’s why it’s incredibly important to recognize signs of frustration and fear. Signs of frustration can include lip-licking, flattened ears, growling, sudden changes in mood, or pacing. Fear, on the other hand, can present as cowering, tucked tails, or flat ears.
Both frustration and fear can be normal responses to meeting new dogs, especially if your dog isn’t prepared for or in the mood for such interactions. It’s important to pay attention to the signs because the last thing you want is for your dog to associate meeting new dogs or socializing with negative feelings.
This goes for whether you’re introducing your dog to other dogs or people. You should be a part of every interaction that your dog has with another living being. While dogs often have their own means of communicating with one another, it is 100% up to you to determine how people interact with your dog. This is especially true because over half of the U.S. population identifies as a “dog person.” That means that there are a lot of people who would love to pet your dog when out in public.
As with any introduction, there is a right way and a wrong way to do so as an owner. According to betterpet’s Dr. Bruce Armstrong, owners should be the dominant “dog” in the pack and direct socialization.
Your dog will tell you everything you need to know if you pay attention to their body language. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell, but the more you look, the easier it will be to discern emotions from one another. We have a great guide on how to read dog body language. By distinguishing how your dog feels about a situation, you can better advocate for them.
Taking your dog out and about shouldn’t be stressful, but it should be something you prepare for.
If you’re finding these outings to be increasingly stressful for you and your furry friend, it may be time to head to the vet or consult with professionals. At the end of the day, outings should be fun for you and your pup, not a nerve-wracking obligation!
To start, don’t rush the interaction. Try and maintain as much control as possible by keeping your dog on leash and having them meet in a relatively controlled area. Also refrain from being stressed yourself. Dogs can read that energy and adopt it for themselves.
Yes, a low-level growl can be normal as it's often a way for the dogs to communicate to one another their feelings.
Introductions should be done on neutral ground, and both dogs should be on leash. The exposure to one another should be gradual by closing the distance over time, allowing them to see and smell one another without direct contact.
Both owners should watch for signs of aggression, and if any signs show, stop the meeting.
If you are certain that one of the dogs may cause harm to the other, either immediately or eventually, then it's best to remove the dogs from each other's presence.
Body language! Their bodies will tell you everything you need to know. Signs of dislike between dogs can present as raised hackles, snapping, lunging, tail tucked between legs, growling, and a stiff body posture.
