On Leash Greetings: Are They Really a Problem?
One of the things I constantly coach my clients to avoid are on leash greetings - allowing their dog to come up to another dog while out and about, or allowing another stranger dog to enter your dog’s space while leashed. While some may dismiss it as a non-issue, many experienced trainers and dog owners beg to differ. The alarming number of dog fights and incidents that I’ve personally witnessed during on-leash interactions cannot be ignored. In this blog post, we will delve deeper into the reasons behind why dogs often explode when approached by another on a leash.
1) Lack of Relationship with Handlers:
The biggest problem that I personally see is the absence of a strong relationship between dogs and their handlers. It is not uncommon for dogs to perceive their human companions as irrelevant or struggle to take direction in general, even without the pressure of another dog in their space. When we complicate the dog’s situation by allowing another dog to enter their space, the dog may not have enough practice listening to cues like “let’s go!” or “leave it.” If the dog tunes their owner out generally, it isn’t surprising when the dog doesn’t look to their owner for guidance or comfort during a tense on leash greeting.
2) High Anxiety and High Arousal Walks:
High anxiety and arousal levels during walks can intensify the potential for conflicts during on-leash greetings. Dogs that are overly excited or anxious may struggle to respond appropriately to other dogs, increasing the likelihood of negative interactions. Many times, even the sight of another dog can become a cue for an aggressive display. Bringing the two dogs closer together when one or both of them is pulling, lunging, or barking, can be a recipe for a dog fight.
3) Tense Dogs and Tight Leashes:
Tight leashes contribute to tense dogs and heighten the risk of aggressive reactions. Dogs that constantly feel restricted and restrained may perceive other dogs as threats, triggering defensive behaviors. When they feel like they don’t have an “out,” they will perform behaviors that they hope will remove the other dog from their space like growling, posturing, or barking. If they have a negative outlook on other dogs entering their space, they may feel that they have no choice but to fight with that dog, essentially to “neutralize the threat.”
Leash manners are not innate skills that dogs possess; they require active teaching and training from their owners.
4) Lack of Handler Education:
Most dog owners lack a deep understanding of dog behavior, which contributes to the likelihood of on-leash conflicts. Take for example the wagging tail. This is something most assume to be a friendly behavior - a precursor to play. It definitely can be. However, it can also be a precursor to a dog fight. You have to understand the specific style of tail wag in the context of other behaviors the dog may or may not be displaying - whale eye, averted gaze, stiff body, lip licking can be signs of a potential escalation in conflict.
So, What Should I Do?
Considering the risks associated with on-leash greetings, it is generally advisable to decline such interactions when out on walks - especially if your dog is in a sensitive puppy development stage or if your dog is new to training. While it may be challenging to resist the temptation of allowing our dogs to meet every dog they encounter, safety and well-being should take precedence over the potential for fun. The risks definitely outweigh any potential benefits here. You have to remember that your dog can smell every dog in the vicinity without needing to do a direct greeting. Their noses are powerful!
Harm Reduction Strategies
While it is not recommended to engage in on-leash greetings between dogs that don’t know each other, if you choose to do so, here are some harm reduction techniques to consider:
1. Evaluate the approaching dog's behavior: Pay attention to the overall behavior of the approaching dog. Is the dog pulling their owner towards you in a straight line with a lowered head and lots of intense eye contact? Are they exhibiting aggressive behaviors such as barking, lunging, or growling? Do they display signs of tension, such as a stiff body language? If the approaching dog seems overly intense or aggressive, it is best to avoid engaging with that dog. On the other hand, if the approaching dog has an open mouth, a relaxed facial expression, loose and wagging tail, and a relaxed gait, it may be a better option for interaction.
2. Facilitate a butt-to-nose sniff: When introducing the dogs, encourage a butt-to-nose sniff rather than a nose-to-nose greeting. Nose-to-nose greetings can sometimes create tension for some dogs, while butt-to-nose interactions are generally less conflictual.
3. Maintain a loose leash: Keep the leash loose at all times during the interaction. This may require passing the leash back and forth between your hands or momentarily dropping the leash and picking it up again to prevent tangling with the other dog's leash. If you’re not in area where it’s safe to drop your dog’s leash, or if your dog is not reliable enough to have its leash dropped, it may not be best to interact at that time.
4. Keep it short and sweet: Limit the duration of the interaction. A good rule of thumb is to allow the dogs to sniff each other for about 2 to 3 seconds. After this brief period, call your dog's name, ask for a hand target or another command to redirect their attention back to you. Then kindly make your exit. Remember, on-leash interactions restrict the dogs' ability to play freely, and allowing them to escalate into play while leashed can lead to frustration and over-arousal, which is not ideal for teaching calm walking behavior.
Remember, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of both dogs during any interaction. If there are concerns or if either dog displays or has traditionally displayed signs of discomfort or aggression, it is best to avoid on-leash greetings altogether.