The 5 Pillars of Successful Dog-Dog Greetings

Social interactions are an important part of your dog’s life, but not every greeting between dogs goes smoothly. Poor introductions can lead to stress, fear, or even fights. The good news? With a little knowledge and preparation, you can set your dog up for safe, positive encounters.

1. Ask First, Greet Later

Always ask the other dog’s guardian before allowing your dog to say hello. The other dog might be shy, fearful, leash reactive, or working on training.

Golden rule: Never assume every dog is friendly or comfortable meeting others.

If you’re in an off-leash area and spot a leashed dog, that’s an even clearer sign to keep your dog close and clipped on until you pass. Respect goes a long way in keeping everyone safe.

2. No Pulling to Say Hi

Rushing in isn’t polite—especially in the canine world. A dog that lunges or pulls hard to meet another dog can easily overwhelm the other pup, setting the stage for conflict.

Instead, insist on loose-leash walking as you approach. If your dog strains at the leash, calmly change direction for a few steps and then try again. Approaching politely gives both dogs time to assess the situation and feel comfortable.

3. Relax and Keep It Loose

Dogs are experts at reading our emotions. If you feel tense or anxious, your dog may pick up on it and mirror that stress.

Take a deep breath, use a cheerful tone of voice, and keep the leash relaxed. A taut leash can unintentionally add tension to the interaction, making things harder for your dog.

4. Keep Greetings Short and Sweet

Even if two dogs appear to be getting along, limit on-leash greetings to about 5–10 seconds. Why?

When dogs are on leash, they don’t have the option to increase distance if they feel uncomfortable. The longer they remain nose-to-nose, the greater the risk of tension building into conflict. Cheerfully call your dog away, reward them, and continue on your walk.

5. Don’t Force It

Not every dog wants to greet every other dog—and that’s perfectly okay. Respect your dog’s comfort level.

Some dogs prefer to keep interactions brief, while others feel safer avoiding greetings altogether, especially while on leash. Forcing interactions can create stress and damage your dog’s trust in you. Instead, celebrate the choice to calmly walk away.

Why Training Matters for Dog-Dog Greetings

Successful greetings don’t just “happen.” They’re the result of preparation, practice, and clear communication. Training builds the foundation your dog needs to handle encounters politely and with confidence.

At Courteous Canine, we can help you and your pup:

• Master loose-leash walking for polite approaches.

• Learn reliable cues like leave it and come for managing greetings.

• Build confidence for shy or nervous dogs.

• Teach impulse control for overly enthusiastic greeters.

Build Better Greetings with Courteous Canine

With the right skills, your dog can enjoy safe, positive interactions that strengthen their social skills and reduce your stress on walks.

Contact Courteous Canine today to learn how our positive reinforcement training programs can help your dog master greeting manners.

Serving families in Wakefield, South Kingstown, Narragansett, and surrounding Rhode Island communities.