22/10/2026
🐾 DOG BEHAVIOUR IS COMMUNICATION — BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES.
🐾
One thing I wish more dog owners understood is that dogs don't all want to meet, play with or socialise with every dog they see. And that's absolutely okay. ❤️
Dogs communicate with each other through body language, movement, facial expressions, vocalisations and, sometimes, corrections.
If a dog is being rude by constantly jumping into another dog's face, ignoring their signals, pestering them or invading their personal space, the other dog may give a warning or correction to communicate that enough is enough.
This might look like a growl, a lip curl, a snap in the air or a quick movement to create space.
That doesn't automatically mean a dog is aggressive. It can be normal canine communication.
Dogs have boundaries, just like we do. And sometimes, they're communicating something along the lines of, "Please back off. I've had enough."
🐕 BUT HERE'S THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONVERSATION.
Just because a correction can be normal communication doesn't mean every correction is harmless, appropriate or something we should simply leave dogs to sort out themselves.
Dogs have different temperaments, experiences, tolerances and ways of communicating. Some will give plenty of subtle warnings, while others may move straight to a snap. Some dogs are comfortable around other dogs, while others find close encounters stressful or overwhelming.
A correction can escalate into a fight, and even a quick interaction can result in an injury. We cannot assume every dog will respond in a predictable way.
This is why our responsibility as owners is to recognise the signs, respect boundaries and step in before a situation escalates.
🚨 AND THIS IS WHY OFF-LEAD RECALL AND SPATIAL AWARENESS MATTER SO MUCH.
Allowing an off-lead dog to rush straight up to an unfamiliar dog isn't harmless just because your dog is friendly.
Your dog might be friendly, but you don't know the dog they're running towards.
That dog could be:
🐾 Nervous or fearful.
🐾 Recovering from a negative experience.
🐾 Reactive and struggling to cope with close encounters.
🐾 Elderly, injured or in pain.
🐾 In training and learning to remain calm around other dogs.
🐾 Simply a dog who doesn't want to interact.
When an unfamiliar dog rushes into their space, the dog on the receiving end may feel trapped, threatened or overwhelmed. They might freeze, try to move away, growl, snap or react more strongly.
And if that happens, the consequences can be serious. A dog could be injured, another dog could retaliate, and both dogs and their owners could be left dealing with the aftermath.
Please don't assume that because a dog is out walking, they are available for a greeting.
Please don't assume that because your dog has never had a problem before, they never will.
And please don't rely on shouting "It's okay, they're friendly!" while your dog is already charging towards another dog.
Friendly doesn't mean well-mannered. Friendly doesn't mean safe in every situation. And friendly certainly doesn't mean every other dog wants to say hello.*
💚 GOOD DOG OWNERSHIP MEANS ADVOCATING FOR YOUR DOG.
Call your dog back. Put them on a lead when needed. Give unfamiliar dogs space. Ask before allowing greetings, and respect the answer if the other owner says no.
Let dogs have the space they need to feel safe, whether that means greeting another dog or simply walking past without any interaction.
We don't need our dogs to be friends with every dog they meet. We need them to be safe, comfortable and able to coexist in the same world.
As a dog walker, I believe understanding behaviour is just as important as providing exercise. A walk isn't just about covering miles; it's about recognising the dog in front of you, understanding their needs and setting them up for success.
A well-socialised dog isn't a dog who loves every dog. It's a dog who can navigate the world safely, with their boundaries respected. 🐾💚
