I am so proud of this group and all the good it has done and continues to do for it's members and the animal community. From helping out with expenses of the different charities we have contributed to, to being ambassadors of the dog community to being responsible owners...it really is good work. Who would have thought all that comes from just getting together and walking our dogs?
I wanted to complete a little write up on introducing dogs to one another. For those who have been to my class, this is one of the first things myself and Barry show students how to do. It is so important and will help so much in raising your dog and helping your dog feel confident in you.
First off, imagine this:
You are sitting on a park bench minding your own business. It is a beautiful day and you are watching people walk by. Next thing you look up and you see this loon running at you. The person is breathing hard, jumping around, acting erratically. You tense up and back off but the person keeps coming. The person gets to you, jumps up in your lap and proceeds to french kiss you. You punch them. The police show up and arrest you for assault, while all bystanders swear that "the person was just trying to say hi". Meanwhile you are just thinking "Hey, I was protecting myself".
Of course that situation is crazy. There is such a thing as personal space, you clearly did not want to have a stranger in your lap and you reacted accordingly.
Now think back to the last time you walked your dog. How many times were you either approached by another dog, or you let your dog approach another dog all with the purposes of "he just wants to say hi"? Fortunately, many dogs either enjoy this or at least tolerate it so nothing happens, but when something does happen, it is never good. Thing is, all can be avoided if the owners just smartened up and did introductions properly and remained in control of the situation.
Here is the procedure that I recommend:
1. Owners greet each other first with dogs behind them. Dogs do not get to sniff at other owner or at each other. Until the dogs are calm...introductions go no further.
2. One owner brings his dog out front to greet the other owner. The second dog stays behind his owner. Again, things must stay calm.
3. Repeat of two except with the other dog.
4. If the dogs are still calm, they get to greet. Never face to face always nose to butt. One of the things I like to do here is sit my dog, I handle his head (scratching him and saying what a good boy he is) while letting the other dog sniff his butt and investigate. Then he gets his turn with the other dog while it's owner handles his dog's head and does the same thing. Any signs of tensing, dominance or aggression, the dogs are just separated and moved back behind their owners. Again this is done in a calm fashion. It is important to read the cues of your dog and the other dog at this step. After the intro, praise to all and enjoy a walk together or hanging out.
In this way dogs get to be introduced to each other, get to hang out in a controlled introduction. Owners are constantly in control.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to take your time with this. Do not proceed to the next step unless the step you are on is a complete success. Pay attention to your dog, and how they are feeling. If your dog is showing any signs of stress, stop and back off to the previous step.
It is also important to keep in mind that not all dogs even want to play with each other. Sometimes a sniff is all that is needed. Sometimes hanging with their owners within a couple of feet of each other is fine. Again the important thing to remember is the owners remain in control at all times.
Again do not rush through this. Sometimes this can take 30 seconds, other times 5 mins, other times you have to end at just the owners greeting each other and the dogs hanging out behind their owners. That is completely fine. You are guaging your dog's comfort level and slowly building that comfort level and the trust in you.
It is proper socialization, and desensitization at it's finest. You are now teaching your dog proper manners and to enjoy the company of other dogs...it is a win win.
This is the procedure that I use and recommend for introducing strange dogs. It works. Try it out.