Dog-walking etiquette

[WhyOhWine]

We have a 6 month old puppy who loves other dogs. It seems to me that there is some etiquette about when we should allow him to approach/play with other dogs so thought i would check i have all the "rules".

He is always on the lead when out on the pavement/road or busy areas. When he walks past another dog he will always want to stop to "talk" to it. Unless in a rush somewhere I am usually happy for him to do so as long as the other dog/owner seems ok with it (and there is room for other pedestrians to pass by), so if dog ignores him or owner looks unwelcoming we will walk on pretty quickly. Does that sound about right?
In our (large) local park, there are lots of dogs off-lead. He is largely ok off-lead so will often let him off (unless there are joggers around). If there is another off-lead dog, I will let him play with it for awhile so long as both seem happy.

If I see a dog on lead when he is off lead, I will put him back on the lead if he looks like he might approach it.

When he sees a dog off lead playing ball or similar with its owner, he will join in in the sense of running after the dog when it runs after the ball (he does not try to get the ball). Something the dog ignores him and continues to play ball, sometimes the dog starts to play with him instead of the ball. If it was the other way round, i would not mind this as so long he is happy and getting exercise, i don't mind if he does that by playing with me with a ball or playing with another dog. However, I have been calling him back in these cases after a short while in case it is annoying to the other owner.

Any comments on etiquette? Other "rules" when it comes to interacting with other dogs?

Thanks

Sounds like you are doing great actually. It’s really good socialisation for your dog to meet others but also to learn to walk past and ignore and you are doing some of each.
I would just continue as you are, feel free to ask other dog owners for a practise on lead approach, they will normally tell you if it’s not likely to work.
Likewise if you are in an off lead arrears, just ask the owner if they mind the play. Interaction with their own kind is usually good for dogs after all.

Sounds perfect.

That's good of you to ask because it isn't always clear judging from dog's or owner's behaviour. For instance, I have one boy in particular who looks young but is old. If dogs jump on him and he pulls a muscle then he's sore for ages and needs meds that upset his tummy. Also, he was a rescue and is anxious around other dogs, I think he was taught not to play and not to communicate normally as dog's do. He stands frozen still with a little tail wag and I can tell he's anxious but it isn't obvious to people who don't know him. If he's off lead he goes out of his way to avoid most dogs and people, if he's on lead he pulls in behind me. Lots of people in my neighbourhood have got to know him and have developed a fondness for this sweet old fella so they reign in their rambunctious pups and he will allow them to give him a little pet. It's lovely to see. It never hurts to outright ask as well.

Sounds just like my dog! As long as you have good recall when it’s off the lead in case it wants to say hello to someone who isn’t keen or a grumpy dog it’s fine.

I would just say, with regard to letting your pup run up to a dog playing with a ball, some dogs will not like another dog near their ball (even if he isn't interested) and might react in a hostile manner. I don't ever let my dog run off lead near a dog with a ball/toy/stick. Otherwise, everything else you are doing is fine. I am very happy to let my dog stop and meet and greet any puppies as it is such a good thing for them to learn to socialise early. I did just get one time when she played for over 10 minutes with a puppy (which did have recall) and was obviously wanting to move on, so I told the owner we had to go on and called to my dog to go on (both dogs were quite a way away from us). The owner made no attempt to call his puppy back (who was being annoyingly nippy by then) and my dog attempted to walk away but was pursued and harried and ended up snapping at the puppy to get it to back off, which it did on the second attempt then mine was able to leave. The owner was horrified that my dog snapped. People need to read dog body language and call their dog off when they are no longer welcome (especially if dog's owner has said goodbye, we're off!). Later I discovered my own dog had a (bloody) tooth-hole through her ear lobe, so she could be forgiven for having had enough.

I have a rescue German shepherd. She is not keen on other dogs or other people. She was bitten by a dog that escaped out of a front door soon after we got her and had to be shaved and stitched so that added to her nervousness.
She does however, have brilliant recall, enjoys a game of ball on the field and will ignore all other dogs on the other side of the field. She is not at all happy if any approach her. We keep a lookout and move away promptly.
Just be aware that letting your dog approach another may not be the right thing to do.

I do similar with my dog, he’s two now and I’m still sometimes doubtful if I’m doing it right. It’s a minefield isn’t it?

I found when we first had dog (he’s quite a big boy, golden retriever) lots of the other dogs we met barked and didn’t like him. He loves everyone as he is a golden retriever and that’s their thing.

And it always seemed to work out as we were getting used to it all when he was a puppy that if he was running off the lead and we met another dog, the other dog would bark aggressively and the owner would say “oh it’s cos he’s off the lead.” But if my boy was on the lead and we met another dog, the other dog would bark madly and the owner would say “oh it’s cos he’s on the lead.”

Basically you can’t win so keep your head down and carry on doing what you want.

you need to find your tribe - there are different cohorts of dog walkers where I live, they inhabit different walks and walk at different times.

For years I did one walk before work with my dogs, 8am by the field. We knew all the dogs and they all knew each other, it was lovely.

Now I'm retired I have more choice about where I go. I find the walks that are more countryside, forest, fields etc. tend not to have on lead dogs. These dogs might be fabulously well trained or a nightmare. One local walk has had loads of problems recently with attacks by out of control dogs, because it's a wooded area the guilty owners have been able to disappear from view quickly. I'm not walking there ATM.

The local park is nicely contained and has its regulars. The dawn patrol, walking before work, purposeful, not wanting to linger and the dogs tend not to be playful. The 8.30 - 10am slot is mainly taken with friendly off-lead dogs, often family dogs who are being walked after the school drop off. Owners have all "been there, had the embarrassing puppy" and are very tolerant of grumbles and the odd humping. The dogs have their mates and get very excited when they spot a familiar tail wagging.

After 10am you get more dogs who don't want to mingle - some on lead, some not, but the owners choose to come out at a time to avoid the play group.

Another popular walk is along an unused rail track, where you get a lot of elderly walkers with and without dogs. Vigilance is the key here if you have a dog who loves strangers (one of mine makes a beeline for older women who remind him of his original owner - I have to get his attention if I spot one of those).

I think you'll gain more confidence in handling his interactions if you can find a friendly group in a place you go to regularly - you'll see him interact and other dogs respond, you'll get a lot better at understanding dog language and which dogs are approachable.

This morning I put little dog on the lead when I saw him eyeballing an elderly white fluff ball (about his size) who was going to the loo, a dog I didn't know. As soon as he'd finished he turned towards us and his whole little body went into perky play mode, he did a little bow in our direction so I let little dog off the lead and they had a lovely minute of bounce and bow and bottom sniffing, then were both happy to continue on with their own owners.

You do have to be eternally vigilant and watch for signals, triggers, dogs on lead etc etc. Owners who walk along glued to their phones, not paying attention, are a menace.

My biggest bit of advice is to have training treats with you that are irresistible - his absolute favourite thing - ONLY use that treat for recall when out and about, not when you are home. IT has to be the bestest thing ever, nothing should be better than it. Roast chicken works well - when you have rock solid recall (which takes time) you will gain in confidence.

One of my dogs can be off lead most of the time as she WILL come away from other dogs and not approach them if I call her, one is reactive and always on lead, one is a work in progress but getting there.

catsrus Yes the dog treats are essential. I have some grain-free liver treats and some cheesy training treats. Unfortunately, other dogs have come to realise that I have delightful smelly treats in the bag round my neck and would rather come and see me than play with my dog. One of my dog's regular friends now gives her a brief hallo and then makes a beeline to come and sit at my feet, looking (he thinks) appealing, in the hopes.

Sounds ok to me. I normally check with the owner if both off lead is it ok if he says hello/plays because you do get some owners who hate their dogs playing with others. If both dogs are on lead it’s a 3 second greet and walk on.

Brilliant description from Catrus there! That's my local park down to a T

I wouldnt let him run up to a dog playing ball either. Dogs dont need to 'play' with other dogs, particularly ones they dont know. Most dog play is ultimately sizing each other up so its asking for trouble. If they know each other and get on, then thats different

As long as you check with the other dogs its ok for your dog to greet or play its OK. I hate it when people don't. One of my dogs does not like dogs it doesn't know. He's never off leash but when I get the " Its ok my dogs friendly " I have to shout my dogs not.

Maybe I've just been lucky, but I've only very rarely had bad experiences when meeting new dogs, and the 'sizing each other up' doesn't really happen. Meeting a new dog (in a safe way) isn't really asking for trouble.

I always check with the other owner anyway before letting my dog approach, but we meet new dogs every day with no problems at all and lots of fun is had by the dogs (and watching owners).