Crossing Path with Another Dog/Human Team

Sometimes we don’t even know we are reinforcing the wrong behavior and end up with a problem we actually taught our dogs.

When Emma saw the poodle and his owner coming towards them, her heart started racing. She knew that Mondo was going to bark and lunge at the other dog. Nowhere to escape, she did not even want to think about the sequences of events. She started mentally to apologize to the other dog owner.

On the Leash

A lot of dog owners get anxious when walking their dog on leash on a side walk or a trail.

You are walking along with your dog and another dog and human are approaching in the other direction. If you have a small dog, you might pick up your dog, you start talking or you bring your dog closer to you, shorten the leash and start walking really fast.

What’s happening in your dog’s mind?

• If he is small and you picking him up every time another dog come accross, he is going to think: Big dog=danger, Mum gets worried. Over time he might start barking and even start growling.
• Remember that dog are masters at reading body language. If you tense up every time you cross path with another dog/owner team he is going to think: Dog coming = danger, mum gets worried I got to do something about it.

Remember that dogs small or large are master at reading body language. When you tense up your body gets stiff and your voice goes up. Your dog picks up on the subtle change in your body.

The other part is often we are silent while walking. When another dog/owner a cyclist or jogger come across with start talking to our dog. When we are tensed and anxious the tone of our voice goes up. The dogs pick up on that.

They are so smart and so good at reading our emotions.

Solutions: What to do instead

If you are apprehensive when a dog comes across, first control your breathing. See if you can slow your breathing down. If you know that your dog might bark or lunge, get him to sit facing you and his butt towards the incoming dog, jogger or cyclist. You must face the incoming”danger”. You are taking control.  Give him treats, stroke his face and talk to him, slowly with a calm voice. Repeat as often as possible.

Eventually your dog will start associating other dogs with good things. And you will be able to start crossing path with other dog owners without any problems.

Remember to

• Cross path human to human and keep your dog on the opposite side.
• Talk to your dog even when everything is going well. Tell him how good he is. Encourage good behavior.
• Keep your emotions in check and stay as calm as possible. Take a deep breathe
• Don’t tense the leash, relax your shoulders and get your dog’s attention