Meet & Greet

Can it be some owners have no idea how to read the four-footed companion they share their homes with...?

When I'm out on a walk with my girl, I try to exhibit proper dog-walking etiquette--when there is an unfamiliar dog and owner approaching us, I ask if the dog is friendly (safe for my girl to approach) especially when I see body language being exhibited that would lead me to believe otherwise.

The responses vary. "Probably" or "He/she should be alright", are common answers.

Not good enough--sorry!

As an urban dog owner, proper walking etiquette is your responsibility. Your dog has obviously been approached before by a passing dog while out on a walk. If you don't know how your dog is going to react on (or off) leash to greeting another one, then you are not walking your dog enough or you aren't bothering to interpret the signs your dog is sending out....

When dogs who are unfamiliar with one another meet, there is a standard, international, canine conversation that takes place. Although it's not our language, their message should come across to both dog and owner loud and clear. They use body language.

There are distinct signals from both sides. A dog who approaches with a stiff gait, tail up and wagging slowly and stiffly-or not wagging at all, ears erect, ruff up, making himself larger than he is, staring directly into the other dog's eyes ( with intent) is not necessarily welcoming the other into his social circle.

If the other dog displays the expected 'response' to this affront--submissive, making-myself-appear-as-small-as-I-can, tail tucked, in a crouching walk, head turned to one side, eyes downward, ears lowered, depending on the other's temperament, he should be fine.

Unless the dog who appears to be the dominant is really a wanna-be dominant. He's still climbing the ladder and he has something to prove.

A true dominant will very rarely start a fight-they don't need to-their very presence and energy demands respect. They may discipline a dog...but not fight with it. It's below their station in life, unless goaded into it.

If it's a true dominant, then the respect shown is enough...he got his point across and will then find out more about the dog by sniffing his parts. The submissive dog may squirm a little but will attempt to stay as still as possible until the dominant has finished his once-over. Sometimes a dominant will allow the other dog to check him out-but not necessarily.

The dominant will then proudly (and slowly) strut off from his 'conquest', tail held high until out of reach, (never glancing back) at which time he may 'lower the flag' until he sights another dog.

When two dogs meet who are equals, there is a mutual acceptance and admiration. There's the doggy dance-the two-step, where leashes get tangled as they greet each other, circling and sniffing-both dogs tails wagging, even with their back or lower, ears back, mouths parted in a relaxed grin.

There's the very submissive dog who, when approached by any dog, will drop its head as low as it can, sit and be very still, or crouch and maybe urinate. It may drop and roll over onto its back, exposing its neck and stomach area, tail wagging very close to its body, seemingly pleading with the other dog to do it no harm. Many times a young pup will exhibit this same behavior.

When this submissive type is 'released' from the dominant one's examination, some of them are so thrilled no harm came to them, they rejoice by jumping up at the other dog and licking at its mouth area, with a lot of flourish...out of respect and in thanks for being spared.

My girl has an approach to on-coming dogs I've never experienced before. As soon as she observes a dog who will ultimately be passing us, she stops abruptly in her tracks. Head held high, she lifts her tail and wags it, at the same time averting her eyes from the dog by turning her head to the side, as if studying the surrounding scenery. I can coax her along to no avail. She remains rooted to that one spot until the dog has completed his exam and only then will she express any interest in furthering the 'meet and greet.' Very respectful!

So before the tugging on the leash and out-of-control-behavior takes over, there is always subtle body language displayed. Being familiar with these basic signals will allow you time to redirect the energy or dominate the situation before it becomes full-blown and out of hand.

My next post I'll be continuing with body language--what is acceptable after their initial introductions, signals they send to other dogs while playing and the boundaries we should set for them in a play situation.