Unknown Dogs Approaching Each Other To Greet

[juice]

My dogs are not really fazed by other dogs , i wonder if its because i have always had more than one, and they can play anytime etc. or could be a breed thing? i see a lot of oodles our way who charge over to every dog they see , same with labs :laugh:

I am also a pretty relaxed when out walking,if my dogs are offlead, and if we see a neighbours dog offlead we know ,they look to me to give them the ok to go say hello. i can call them back easily, or they just say hello and come anyway.

i don't allow them to approach unknown dogs, even though we often get dogs running upto us offlead, then i decide wether i put myself inbetween, depending on the dog and the approach.

i don't see the need for them to say hello to everydog we see ,( i have owners actually cross over to approach mine so their dog can say hello, normally being hauled along, and i have never met them before!, this i find annoying!), however they do like to greet the odd dog they know, a few mins later they are over it and want to move on.

Edited April 6, 2015 by juice

[LuccatheLagotto]

I think our relationship with our dog is such a personal one. So, the way that we raise our dogs will vary and we can’t expect everyone else to be the same as ourselves. The only thing that we can do is control the environment that we put our dogs in and to train our own dog to respond appropriately to other dogs (whether that be one that is rude, polite, timid, aggressive etc). Like StressMagnet, I’ve seen Lucca’s manners go from rude (running and jumping up) to polite (approaching in an arc and sniffing) and I put it down to being corrected by other dogs in off leash parks. So thank you to all those dogs that growled at and nipped him. I am now confident that Lucca is able to handle most encounters with other unknown dogs.

Also, I take great joy in seeing Lucca enjoying himself running around, swimming, digging in the sand and interacting with other dogs. Obviously, I’m not the only one that feels this way because there are always other people with their dogs in off leash parks.

There are always going to be irresponsible owners out there but I think we have to be careful not to be so quick to judge other people and their “rude” dogs. This is because that person may have the best of intentions but are too embarrassed/afraid to take their “rude” dog anywhere and hence that dog will never learn how to be polite. I know that Lucca wasn’t always the polite dog that he is now. How are dogs supposed to learn manners or dog body language if it never gets the chance to experiment and to receive feedback from other dogs? It’s the dogs that you don’t see in public because their owners don’t take them out that are the problem.

[JulesP]

There are always going to be irresponsible owners out there but I think we have to be careful not to be so quick to judge other people and their “rude” dogs. This is because that person may have the best of intentions but are too embarrassed/afraid to take their “rude” dog anywhere and hence that dog will never learn how to be polite. I know that Lucca wasn’t always the polite dog that he is now. How are dogs supposed to learn manners or dog body language if it never gets the chance to experiment and to receive feedback from other dogs? It’s the dogs that you don’t see in public because their owners don’t take them out that are the problem.

I am not out walking my dogs so that you can use them to train yours!!! People can go to dog schools for that sort of exposure.

Can't say I've ever had anyone thank me after Poppy has growled at their rude dog either!!

The dogs I don't see out in public are only going to be a problem for me if they get out.

[Dame Aussie]

There are always going to be irresponsible owners out there but I think we have to be careful not to be so quick to judge other people and their "rude" dogs. This is because that person may have the best of intentions but are too embarrassed/afraid to take their "rude" dog anywhere and hence that dog will never learn how to be polite. I know that Lucca wasn't always the polite dog that he is now. How are dogs supposed to learn manners or dog body language if it never gets the chance to experiment and to receive feedback from other dogs? It's the dogs that you don't see in public because their owners don't take them out that are the problem.

I am not out walking my dogs so that you can use them to train yours!!! People can go to dog schools for that sort of exposure.

Can't say I've ever had anyone thank me after Poppy has growled at their rude dog either!!

The dogs I don't see out in public are only going to be a problem for me if they get out.

Completely agree. My dogs are taken out but not to offlead dog parks or to specifically meet other dogs. They are both perfectly behaved around other dogs.

Are my dogs the problem?? I think not.

Edited April 7, 2015 by Dame Aussie

[Staffyluv]

I take Zig to the offlead park a lot. I don't allow him to run up to unknown dogs to say 'hello'. I don't allow him to go to the gate and crowd it, when dogs and their owners are coming into the park.

If a dog comes to us I watch and monitor the meeting, for my own peace of mind.

I am with Zig the whole time we are at the park. We play ball and tug, we use the time to train and he gets to have a play with dogs I know and they all get along fine.

I am not past leashing and leaving the park if someone that doesn't watch their dog and/or their dog is a problem, shows up.

In saying that, we go to the park at a certain time of day. We rarely see unknown dogs there at the time we go (early in the morning).

Huski has a great point about other dogs being a distraction during training.

It is one of the problems I have with Zig when walking him on lead around town - he wants to meet every dog he sees..

Something I am 'still' working on.

[dollygirl]

I have a great dislike for dog parks..dogs (on the fenced side) chasing you, waiting to pounce on you before your even in, crowding the gate, uncontrolled rough greeting/playing and lots of humping.

My girl likes to do her own thing, she isn't interested in getting to know any of the other dogs and has become fearful of large dogs that see her from a distance and come bolting over to us. I have had dogs collide into my legs and hurt me, it is not appreciated.

We like best to go to the beach for off lead play, most of the dogs seem to be distracted enough to mind their own business. On the occasion where we are greeted by an over zealous dog, to my embarrassment she now has a go at them, I think it is her right, the owners don't really get it. The problem here is that some dogs take offence and have a go at her, one of these dogs thought it was perfectly fine to hump and squash her, when he was reprimanded by her and not by his owner he then turned on her..this now has made her even more fearful and a bit unpredictable. I now ask the owner nicely to please call their dog away..I get some weird looks..haha.

[Stressmagnet]

Well I don't care. I let Ernie meet who he wants at on off leash area - unless the dog is leashed.

And yes, I have said thank you after another dog corrected my dog and her owner was mortified.

Puppy school and Obedience classss are great but they are not for socialising your dog. 6 weeks of puppy kindergarten doesn't last a lifetime either. I live in a street where Ernie is one of three dogs. The other two never get walked. So I walk him and correct his onleash manners and then let him have a play at the off leash park. I met mostly great people who brought their dogs there for a romp and a swim. No one has ever had an issue with me asking if he's allowed to say hello - it's always been yes - but if one day it's no, that's fine. The vast majority of owners who walk their dogs when I walk Ernie are thrilled that their dog gets a chance to meet and perhaps make s new friend. The exceptions? One woman straining to control a 4 year old beagle on a retractable leash because if she let him off 'he wouldn't come back' and the other had a highly dog aggressive staffy. Dunno why you'd walk your dog in an unleashed area where there are bound to be other dogs then.

If you don't want your dog to socialise with other dogs - fine. But maybe an unleashed dog park isn't the place for you.

Personally, I love the fact that Ernie meets all types of dogs, assertive or timid, big or small. I can see his education growing by leaps and bounds and I've seen other dogs go from timid to actively initiating a game of chasey. His current Wednesday mate is an arthritic old Cav who's gone from hobbling 3 meters behind his owner to eagerly attempting a couple of rounds of chase Ernie's stick.

It's your dog, as has been wonderfully put - we will all raise our dogs differently. I think as long as we are all aware of each other's different styles, it's all good.

Edited April 7, 2015 by Stressmagnet

[Guest donatella]

I am met with countless idiots with their off lead dogs who let them run up to mine (on lead area - river walk).

I am working on Lucy and her reactive behavior and my trainer met us with her Mal for our usual walk and of course plenty of off lead dogs as obstacles. Of course this is the one time Lucy is an angel to the advances, she normally barks and snaps them.

We are getting better but of course she can't escape these idiots and their dogs when we are doing the right thing.

[Stressmagnet]

On leash areas should not be filled with off leash dogs - I am just as annoyed as anyone else. I may or may not want Ernie to meet other dogs while on leash - currently, I do NOT.

You will never erase idiot owners but if you are in an OFF LEASH area, it's reasonable to expect dogs on the loose, running around - and some without much manners because they dont see other dogs that often.

[Guest donatella]

The only time I take my dogs to off lead areas is when no one is there and the last time they got out and started running down the road with a passing jogger ????

Off leash areas are full of dogs with no manners because their owners figure their dog can just go there and run amuk as it's about impossible to control a pack of excited dogs. I've seen too much shit happen at those places, my dogs don't need random friends

Edited April 7, 2015 by donatella

[Dame Aussie]

Amen to that.

[Simply Grand]

Absolutely. Off leash dogs in on leash areas are automatically a big red flag to me as they clearly don't have owners who are respectful and responsible.

I absolutely believe if you have your dog on a lead in an on leash area you have every right to expect to be left alone.

[LisaCC]

I have no interest in allowing Nova to approach unknown dogs or letting unknown dogs approach him.

The only time we go to off leash parks are when it's empty for free running or training or when we are going to meet a known dog or 2. Never packs of dogs either.

When introducing unknown dogs I do it on leash first, take the dogs on a calm walk first and see how they interact.

[Staffyluv]

I have a great dislike for dog parks..dogs (on the fenced side) chasing you, waiting to pounce on you before your even in, crowding the gate, uncontrolled rough greeting/playing and lots of humping.

My girl likes to do her own thing, she isn't interested in getting to know any of the other dogs and has become fearful of large dogs that see her from a distance and come bolting over to us. I have had dogs collide into my legs and hurt me, it is not appreciated.

We like best to go to the beach for off lead play, most of the dogs seem to be distracted enough to mind their own business. On the occasion where we are greeted by an over zealous dog, to my embarrassment she now has a go at them, I think it is her right, the owners don't really get it. The problem here is that some dogs take offence and have a go at her, one of these dogs thought it was perfectly fine to hump and squash her, when he was reprimanded by her and not by his owner he then turned on her..this now has made her even more fearful and a bit unpredictable. I now ask the owner nicely to please call their dog away..I get some weird looks..haha.

One of my pet hates at the leash free park is when owners let their dogs crowd the gate - I realise they are only being curious about what is coming in but it really isn't hard to teach your dog to 'leave it' and to 'come here'...

I don't let Zig go to the gate.

Most of the dogs and owners we associate with, all think the same and their dogs don't run at the gate when someone is coming either.

I don't think that the leash free park is suitable for every dog. Some dogs do just fine and others don't.

We only associate with the same group of dogs all the time - they all get along and play well in the same area.

[Simply Grand]

Yes, very bad manners (by the human) and risky to let dogs crowd the gate. I've seen several fights break out when there are crowds at the gate. I don't let mine go up to the gate either, or enter when there are dogs crowded around. There have been times when I've stood outside the gate waiting and pointedly looking at people until they eventually realise and call their dogs away :laugh:

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

Mrs RB, has your girl met any curly coat poodle crosses who do have good, stable dog manners and who she can interact politely with? I get that some of them can be silly and inappropriate but some behave appropriately like dogs too.

There's been a few. She's pretty good at the moment. Our worst times are on lead on the footpaths before we get to the park(s).

She's even made some new curly coat friends. And there's a few curly coat dogs that think about greeting her and change their minds (good readers and respecters of dog body language).

I'm currently reading Alexandra Horowitz's book "inside of a dog" - which describes a lot of what goes on really well.

http://insideofadog.com/

There's also a few curly coat dogs that she has told to back off, on previous encounters, but lately has been quite civil with. They've been a lot more respectful of her too.

Note I say curly coat dogs because evil hound lumps curly coat retrievers in with the clipped poodle crosses - shame on her.

[alpha bet]

The only time I take my dogs to off lead areas is when no one is there and the last time they got out and started running down the road with a passing jogger ????

Off leash areas are full of dogs with no manners because their owners figure their dog can just go there and run amuk as it's about impossible to control a pack of excited dogs. I've seen too much shit happen at those places, my dogs don't need random friends

I think this is very generalised.... there are many many dogs and people who go to off leash areas and have a great time... you might have seen shit happen, but I have observed loads of dogs enjoying themselves...

Just one example last October: At the opening of the Craigieburn Off Leash Park there would have been easily over 300 dogs there over the three hours of the opening... and no problems.... this was not a huge area and at one point the Craigieburn Dog Club was staging their demo within the park.... they had their dogs onlead and running thru heeling patterns and there were perhaps 60 other dogs in the area and none bothered the training group...

I have seen the same at various beaches and other parks... lots of people and their dogs enjoying the open space and the dogs meeting some new friends.

We run our own private off leash training park here and specialise in teaching the families how to get the best out of off leash social... also how to deal with the occassions when things are not so good. With backyards becoming so small people need places where they can give their dogs a chance to stretch their legs and to interact....

If you don't like the parks... don't go....

[dididog]

Didi goes to an offlead reserve more or less everyday and has done since a puppy. I don't really go for the sake of doggy interaction, I have no yard and a big dog so I use it to let her have some freedom and stretch her legs but Didi is also a friendly dog that enjoys meeting other dogs so if we bump into another dog at the park I'm not too fussed if they say hello. The reserve is big enough to mind your own business and you can generally assume that if another owner is about to cross paths with you and aren't calling their dog close to them that they don't mind a brief hello between dogs. If someone is clearly trying to avoid us or the dog looks scared or a dog is on lead I tell Didi to ignore it and if the dog looks stressed or fixated on Didi I leash her just to be safe. But Didi is big enough that I don't worry about her getting hurt and she is not confrontational so this along with the general good behaviour of dogs and owners at my reserve plays a part in my reasoning. I keep her a lot closer and don't let her approach other dogs when we are somewhere unfamiliar.

That sort of brief greeting is a lot different to a dog rudely charging across a park to jump on my dogs face to 'say hello' and is inappropriate behaviour that I don't like and don't let Didi do. I also don't like her playing with dogs I don't know because things can escalate too quickly when strange dogs get over aroused, I know plenty of dogs that she plays well with so I don't see the need to initiate play with an unknown dog.

While I get the idea behind letting other dogs teach yours good manners, I know that my girl is very tolerant and has to be pushed pretty far to resort to telling a dog off and I don't see why my dog should have to be stressed out that much to do someone else a favor. I also don't want to ruin her lovely disposition with other dogs just because she keeps getting bombarded by rude dogs and thus starts getting narky before a dog has the chance to harassher. My dad has a bit of 'let them sort it out' mentality when Didi plays with other dogs but I don't see the point in letting it get that far. If another dog is harassing her and she is clearly uncomfortable but too nice to say so, I intervene so she doesn't have to make her own decisions about telling dogs off.

[Simply Grand]

Mrs RB, has your girl met any curly coat poodle crosses who do have good, stable dog manners and who she can interact politely with? I get that some of them can be silly and inappropriate but some behave appropriately like dogs too.

There's been a few. She's pretty good at the moment. Our worst times are on lead on the footpaths before we get to the park(s).

She's even made some new curly coat friends. And there's a few curly coat dogs that think about greeting her and change their minds (good readers and respecters of dog body language).

I'm currently reading Alexandra Horowitz's book "inside of a dog" - which describes a lot of what goes on really well.

http://insideofadog.com/

There's also a few curly coat dogs that she has told to back off, on previous encounters, but lately has been quite civil with. They've been a lot more respectful of her too.

Note I say curly coat dogs because evil hound lumps curly coat retrievers in with the clipped poodle crosses - shame on her.

That's good, I'm glad she's experiencing some well mannered ones. Hopefully the more of those ones she meets the more she realises she doesn't necessarily have to go on the offensive when she sees a curly coat.

[Mrs Rusty Bucket]

the more she realises she doesn't necessarily have to go on the offensive when she sees a curly coat.

I'm not sure I'm winning. The ratio of rude to polite in the curly coats around here is about 10 to 1.