06/10/2026
Not every dog needs to greet every dog they see. 🐕🐕
A few reasons why:
1. Friendly doesn’t mean “meet everyone.”
Even sociable dogs can become overexcited or overwhelmed by constant greetings.
2. You don’t know the other dog.
They may be nervous, reactive, injured, in training or simply uninterested.
3. Leads can change the interaction.
Dogs have less freedom to move away, which can make some greetings feel stressful.
4. Calm passing is a really useful skill.
Dogs don’t need to expect interaction every time another dog appears.
5. Choice matters.
Both dogs should actually want the interaction. If one is avoiding, freezing, reacting or pulling away, that’s communication too.
Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is simply keep moving and give everyone a bit of space. And if you’re ever unsure whether another dog is happy to say hello, ask the other owner first. A quick “is yours okay to greet?” can save a lot of stress for everyone.
