My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

Walking past other dogs.

14 replies

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 22/09/2019 18:18

It has been a long time since I have walked a dog. And mine was horrible with other dogs.

But I’m walking a puppy about five months old. I wanted to see how other people walk past other dogs.
Is it best to get them to ignore the other dog. Let them greet them? How do u think this should be done.

OP posts:
Report
MissShapesMissStakes · 22/09/2019 19:09

I make sure the other person doesn’t mind my dog approaching theirs first. Often they are on a lead for a reason. I recently had mine on a lead as he had suspected kennel cough which is contagious.

If it’s ok with the other owner I let him have a brief sniff for less than ten seconds usually and then walk on. I want him to know that when he is on a lead and/or the other dog is too, then a quick polite hello is all he gets.

If I linger then he chucks himself on the floor in submission, then gets all excited and leads get tangled.

Report
Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 22/09/2019 19:19

They are still jumpy puppies. So they jump up at all the dogs they see and people don’t like it. I’m not sure if at this stage I should just be making them walk straight pass and just learn to leave other dogs alone.
This is hard as I had so many problems with my last dog. I don’t want to make the same mistakes all over again. Especially as they are not my puppies

OP posts:
Report
Jouska · 22/09/2019 19:36

Usually I will walk past but if they do meet and greet never ever more than 3 secs. Meet greet and walk on past.

From what you describe above I would distract them with a treat and reward the dogs for focusing on you as you walk past.

Report
Maneandfeathers · 22/09/2019 19:45

I generally walk past and treat for calm behaviour.

I don’t like on lead greetings, I find them quite confrontational for the dog and tend to limit them to a few seconds and a cheerful come on let’s go and walk on.

With very excitable babies I like to do a sit and wait until the dog has passed with lots of treats/ praise for ignoring.

Mine are very good with other dogs but I prefer the focus on me approach.

Report
Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 22/09/2019 19:47

Thanks. This is helpful

OP posts:
Report
3teens2cats · 22/09/2019 19:59

My pup is 6 months. In the street or paths where on lead I am teaching him to stop, focus on me and we wait for the dog to pass. If other dog shows an interest I let him say hello for a couple of sounds and then we move on. Off lead I watch the dog and owner approach and make a judgement as to whether I call him back and put lead on, distract him in the other direction ( eg in a big open space) or if it is a dog we know or have played with before I will let him run over and say hello / play. If in doubt I go for lead. I hope I am doing it right, he just wants to be friends with everyone.

Report
nixso29 · 22/09/2019 20:01

My tiny mini yorkie loves to meet other dogs on a walk but I would always stop and wait for the other dog walker to engage first and if it's ok then I will let her over for a quick sniff and tail wag. I think it is really important for puppies to learn good social interaction with other dogs earlyon to try and minimise aggressive behaviour in later years

Report
PrayingandHoping · 22/09/2019 20:04

If the other dog is on a lead (therefore yours is too) walk on by and don't let them interact. If my dog is on a lead i don't want other dogs in his face (and neither does he!). It's polite doggy etiquette

If the other dog is off lead and yours is by all
Means let them say hello etc

Report
adaline · 22/09/2019 20:58

I use.a treat to distract him and get him to sit and wait if necessary. He's not allowed to approach on-lead dogs unless they know each other or the owner says it's okay. However they only sniff for 3-5 seconds and then move on.

I take cut up cocktail sausages or fresh chicken with me on walks. If we see another dog, I get him to sit at the side of the path until the other dog passes. He used to be quite reactive but is much, much better nowadays.

Report
missbattenburg · 23/09/2019 06:21

Battendog can be a bit too focussed on other dogs so we tend to give them a wide berth and I encourage him to stay "with me" and keep moving.

If the pathway means we must come within tocuhing/greeting distance then I give it a few seconds (3-5) and then say "come on" and move along.

I am not convinced on lead greetings have much value for socialisation and, in a perfect world, I would rather Battendog ignore other dogs when he (or they) are on leads. He is not a perfect dog so we use distance instead Grin

Report
Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 23/09/2019 08:17

Right. So I’m going to go for treat and ignore.

OP posts:
Report
Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 23/09/2019 08:19

The puppies live with two other dogs so are used to them. But want to really make it so we can walk past other dogs without a problem.

OP posts:
Report
Girliefriendlikescake · 23/09/2019 10:09

I think a quick hello and move on is what I aim for. I also make a judgment call though on each dog and owner! Most owners let you know through their body language if it's okay for your puppy/dog to say hello to theirs.

I want my puppy to be friendly and sociable but to understand not every dog wants to say hello.

Report
SJane48S · 24/09/2019 18:04

As everyone has said, exercise caution!.Our overly friendly 3 year old has had a few bad experiences of lead to lead interactions and now gets cross and barky when approached by other dogs when she's on the lead. Off lead, friendly as.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.