Clever dogs and crazy people with Wendy Graydon The Dog Trainer

If you live in seclusion and avoid contact with the outside world, it is a sad thing as you miss out on getting to know others and finding out about the world and the people in it. You may grow to be insecure and turn into a reclusive hermit.

The same thing can happen to dogs whose owners are overly worried or anxious and may stop it from meeting other dogs. When your dog does not have the chance to meet others of their kind they may react in a timid way or be shy, irritated or aggressive when they finally do come into contact with another dog. This anxiety will show by turning them into a yapping, tense dog that may growl or bite out of anxiety and fear.

For your dog to become relaxed and at ease with a bit of butt sniffing and other doggie rituals you should allow your dog or puppy to meet other dogs as much as possible. Your dog will get the chance to sniff appropriately and greet in the doggie way. Be careful how you pull on the lead when your dog approaches another dog so you do not stop a natural sniff and make your dog seem rude to another dog. Let the greet be reasonably quick, say 5 to 8 seconds for a first time meet and greet with an unknown dog, especially if you are just out on a walk. This would be different if the dogs had met previously in each other's homes or passed each other on walks fairly often.

For instance, when dogs are not acquainted with each other the first thing they do is touch noses. This first interaction will occur between healthy dogs and will determine if they are going to get on with each other. The next step is the mutual sniff of each other's rear end, then under the flank to really hook into the scent of the other dog and put this scent into the memory bank for next time. It will be clear immediately whether they will be friends or not interested in each other.

Like people, dogs will show they like each other with a wag of the tail and maybe a play bow to begin some serious play and fun. Of course we do not wag tails we often shake hands and if we like each other engage in smiles , eye contact and the general body language of ‘I like you' which is subtle but noticeable. Dogs may growl and then avoid each other or try to dominate with a paw over the shoulders. Perhaps like an over exuberant person at a party whom you wish would not stand so close to you!

Meeting and greeting should be calm and relaxed if you, as the human, find yourself tense and worried over your dog meeting other dogs. Your energy will easily transfer onto your dog and make them worried and they will react accordingly with a growl or lunge. It is best if you breathe out and expel any pent-up air and drop your shoulders. Relax your eyes and soften your look. Hum Happy Birthday as you pass another dog with your dog and just chill out. You reaction will make your dog relax too and make a meet and greet a pleasure.