If you own a dog, you will often meet other dogs and their owners on their daily walks. Basically, the encounter of two dogs is positive for the development of their social behavior, but there can always be difficulties that should be avoided. If you can read the body language of dogs perfectly, you will also be able to master encounters with other dogs. You can find tips on how to deal with dog encounters in this article.
Possible course of a dog encounter
There are basically three variants in which dogs can meet. Either two leashed dogs can get into the situation, both dogs can run free, or only one of the two four-legged friends is leashed while the other is off the leash. If a dog that is on a leash encounters a dog that is not on a leash, the four-legged friend who is on a leash is clearly limited in his ability to react and communicate. This fact should be taken into account by the dog owner in such encounters. In general, it is always recommended that a dog encounter occurs on both sides without a leash, provided this is feasible in the situation.
How do you train dog encounters?
Best with an experienced dog handler and a level-headed, older dog who can “train” their own dog. Thus, you and your dog will be taught the basics during a training session, which you can also use for other dog encounters.
Dog body language
Dogs communicate in their very own body language, which is not understandable for the inexperienced person. In order to be able to assess and read the small body language processes during a dog encounter, the dog owner needs a lot of practice. In general, it is therefore advisable for inexperienced dog owners to hold a few training sessions with a dog trainer who can explain the animal’s body language and thus mediate between humans and dogs.
If one or even both dogs is on a leash, this can distort the dogs’ body language and lead to miscommunication between the two dogs, which in the worst case can end in a fight. For example, the owner and the dog usually walk in a straight line when walking on the leash. If two dogs meet while running free, they usually approach each other in an arc, since frontal encounters are rated as threatening and attacking by the other person. So there are some sources of error that are only caused by ignorance but can still lead to tricky situations.
How much contact does a dog need with other dogs?
Dogs are social pack animals and, in addition to contact with humans, also need contact with their own kind in order to learn their own language and to have their own behavior reflected in dog dialogue. Regular, positive contact with other dogs is therefore very important.
Quarrels and biting when encountering dogs: what to do?
If despite all the precautionary measures, a fight or biting occurs during a dog encounter, the dog owner’s first priority is to keep a cool head and not to be infected by the heat of the moment. Your own dog is much better helped if its human companion radiates clarity and calm. In no case should the people present start yelling at the dogs, throwing something at them, or trying to violently separate them from each other?
The dog owners can try to cover the eyes of one of the two dogs with a jacket or something similar, thus creating a short moment of interruption in which it is possible to untie both dogs from each other, leash them and move a bit away from each other. With a little distance from each other, both dogs should be brought to rest as much as possible so that they can end the situation from this moment of calm. In addition, both dog owners can now check for injuries on their own dogs much better. In any case, the owners of the two dogs in the dispute should exchange contact details in case there are any after-effects of the fight at a later date. It is also important to ask about the current vaccination status of the other dog in order to be able to directly rule out possible infection via open wounds.
Why doesn’t my dog get along with other dogs?
A lack of socialization or a very dominant nature can mean that your dog does not get along with other dogs. The advice and analysis of a dog trainer are recommended here.
Proper behavior when encountering dogs
There are a number of factors that can positively influence a dog’s encounter and thus make the situation more pleasant for master and dog. If you meet a dog that is on a leash with your free-running dog, you should call your dog over to you and hold it close to you. There will be a reason that the other dog is on a leash.
Your dog also always senses your mood. If you are basically relaxed when meeting other dogs, this will also be transferred to your dog and you can approach the situation positively together. However, you should be careful not to stand too close to the two dogs that meet each other, otherwise, your own dog might think that it has to protect and shield you from the strange dog. This can also lead to a fight between the two dogs. Basically, you should have some trust in your dog that he has the communication with the other one under control, even if you cannot interpret everything yourself.
Why does my dog always want to be with other dogs?
Basically, dogs are very curious and want to explore their surroundings and their “fellow dogs”. Their social nature therefore usually draws them into contact with other dogs.
Incorrect behavior when encountering dogs
Negative feelings such as fear or panic have no place in a dog encounter and should be avoided so as not to transfer them to your dog. If you are so afraid due to bad previous experiences, you can hire an experienced dog handler who will first go through such encounters with you until you can let go of your fears due to new, positive experiences.
Don’t stand between your dog and another dog.
If a strange dog approaches you uncontrollably while your dog is on a leash, you should let go of the leash and thus give the dogs the freedom to find their way around the situation in their own way. Decide for yourself when your dog meets another dog! Don’t let your dog pull you in the direction of other dogs if you don’t actually want to meet dogs. If necessary, you can try to demand an alternative behavior from your dog, for example by giving a command to interrupt him on his way to the other dog.
What to do if the dog fixes
In this case, the dog owner should try to interrupt the moment of fixation with an alternative action, such as asking for a command.
Training dog encounters
Especially if you are inexperienced in keeping a dog or have a new, possibly even an older dog with a history, dog encounters should be trained. Professional help from a dog trainer is available for this. First of all, this will work to strengthen the relationship between you and your dog and to work on your dog’s basic obedience, which is important in order to be able to retrieve your dog later at any dog encounter.
In a protected environment, such as in a dog school, young dogs, in particular, can approach each other without pressure and thus learn their own body language in a playful way together. A socially trained dog will also approach other dogs much more carefully and safely in adulthood since it can interpret their signals and react accordingly.
