Why “on-leash hellos” aren’t as friendly as they look
Letting dogs greet nose-to-nose on a leash may seem polite… but for dogs, it’s actually unnatural.
When dogs are face-to-face and leashed:
- They can’t move naturally and can’t choose space or escape
- Leashes can tangle and trigger panic, which may instigate a fight, causing possible injury to dogs and humans.
-Small moments (hard eye contact, a wee growl, a little nip) can turn into big reactions and over time, creates reactivity.
Your dog starts to think:
What if this dog is scary?
That internal conflict builds frustration, excitement, or fear — and eventually shows up as barking, lunging, anxiety, or even redirection, with your dog going after your leg on walks, leaving you part of the crowd that feels a little apprehension or perhaps downright fear, looking for a way to escape an approaching dog.
Instead of leash greetings, give your dog a social circle.
Choose one or two dog friends they truly enjoy and schedule off-leash playdates where they can move freely and communicate naturally.
Make it a rule: no on-leash greetings.
Seeing another dog should mean just that: seeing another dog.
No pressure. No interaction. No expectation. It can take a while to get there, but the peace is so well earned.
But saying no can feel awkward. Just remember your dog’s emotional and physical health comes first.
Check out the poster below for simple, polite ways to pass by without pressure 👇
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