Meeting other dogs on walks

[Anonymous]

Do you allow your dog to approach other dogs on walks? Is there an unspoken rule that we're supposed to cross the street?

[Anonymous]

I have always found that people with unfriendly dogs will say their dog isn't friendly. We always go wide. But my dog always sits if we see a dog walking toward us. If it's a dog that looks friendly I ask if they can say hello. Pretty much the etiquette in Central Park.

Basically, I never let our dog approach another unless I've cleared it.

[Anonymous]

If its a dog that barks snarls or is aggressive or bigger than my dog I cross the street. If not I proceed with caution at a small distance.

[Anonymous]

No! I never let them meet. Dogs on a leash automatically behave differently because they are restricted—imagine greeting people in handcuffs or going to a bar in a straight jacket. Most of the time it would be fine, but one bad reaction can cause years of reactivity that you have to undo.

I always cross the street and do a friendly wave.

[Anonymous]

I never let my dog meet another dog on leash, so we always cross the street if another dog is approaching.

[Anonymous]

I always walk my dog on my right side, so if passing someone IM between the other person and dog and my dog. I have never had an issue with my dog, as my dog takes no interest in other dogs. It’s the other people walking their dogs that let their dogs approach mine. I do not allow it. I just widen the The distance between us so their dog cannot get to my dog. I do not pause in my walk. So the other Walker does not think I want her dogs to play or even meet.

[Anonymous]

Because of my dog’s upbringing, he’s used to being around tons of other dogs and isn’t territorial. He’s super friendly and loves to meet humans and other dogs. However, he’s large, so lots of smaller dogs are very reactive to him and I’m sure people who are afraid of dogs don’t want to get near him, so I generally assume that I should keep him on a short leash and give others a wide berth. If people approach us and ask if they can pet him and if he’s friendly, I say yes. (He’s very docile and calm with children.) If other dog owners seem like they’re specifically stopping and waiting for us to get close to them, I ask if it’s okay for the dogs to meet. I never let my dog get close to anyone who hasn’t expressed an interest in that.

[Anonymous]

My sweet lab is actually highly reactive on a leash in most circumstances, clearly due to the restraint of the leash. I’m very cautious about meeting other dogs and have to be very relaxed with a very loose leash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have always found that people with unfriendly dogs will say their dog isn't friendly. We always go wide. But my dog always sits if we see a dog walking toward us. If it's a dog that looks friendly I ask if they can say hello. Pretty much the etiquette in Central Park.

Basically, I never let our dog approach another unless I've cleared it.

THis. use your words, people.

[Anonymous]

I always go wide unless the other owner indicates with words that they want our dogs to sniff butt. I don’t necessarily cross the street but maybe half the time I will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you allow your dog to approach other dogs on walks? Is there an unspoken rule that we're supposed to cross the street?

As we approach, I always ask "is your dog friendly?" or "do you mind if I bring my dog over?" Usually it's a yes but, sometimes it's not and we just pass on by.

[Anonymous]

No. But I have a strong, dog-reactive dog, who will tense up, bark, lunge and generally try to either play with or fight with other dogs - he can do both in quick succession - so I cross the road, unless the other owner signals that it’s fine and we let them have a session on the grass, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice.

[Anonymous]

I have two dogs, one who is small and friendly who loves everyone he meetings, and one who is large and reactive (although she's fine with other dogs when everyone is off leash). With the little one, I always ask other people if their dogs are friendly, and am respectful if someone does not want him to come near. With the big one, I always cross the street and politely decline others' requests to bring their dog over. I find it frustrating when people keep coming with their dog even after you've asked them not to - you never know what could happen and I don't want to risk it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have two dogs, one who is small and friendly who loves everyone he meetings, and one who is large and reactive (although she's fine with other dogs when everyone is off leash). With the little one, I always ask other people if their dogs are friendly, and am respectful if someone does not want him to come near. With the big one, I always cross the street and politely decline others' requests to bring their dog over. I find it frustrating when people keep coming with their dog even after you've asked them not to - you never know what could happen and I don't want to risk it.

*meets

[Anonymous]

It’s good etiquette for the person who entered the block later to cross the street and yield to the first one, who entered an empty block.