Do you let your dog greet other dogs on lead? Either one dog is on lead or both dogs. How does it go? Have you ever had any issues? For example, a little snark happens (growly/snappy behaviour), or one dog snaps just as you are trying to move the dogs along?

When dogs meet on lead, there is a higher chance of it going wrong – but why?

The main culprit is usually tight leads, and the lead itself. Tight leads cause tension in the body and may indicate to your dog that there is something wrong. It also changes your dogs body language - as they meet the opposition reflex their body leans forward and it may be taken as a threat to the other dog.

In addition, being on lead prevents the dogs from getting away, so often dogs will turn to ‘fight’ to create distance from the other dog.

We can’t tell you how many times we have seen on leash greetings go well, until one person pulls their dog away.

So what is the answer? Never let your dogs greet other dogs on lead? Maybe, and we certainly don’t recommend letting your dog greet every single dog they come across, as it creates an expectation that they can greet all dogs. This can then lead to frustration based reactivity if they can't get to other dogs.

Skills! Plus The Three Second Rule

Teach your dog cues such as hand target (touch!) and 'find it'.

Our advice is to read the approaching dogs’ body language and also check with their human if their dog is happy to greet your dog on lead.

Then you need to decide if you and your dog are in the right frame of mind to greet. If your dog or the other dog is over excited, pulling on the lead and barking for example, it’s best to wait until they are calmer.

If you do decide to let the dogs greet, keep the lead loose, BREATHE!, count to 2-3 seconds then happily/enthusiastically ask your dog to follow a cue. If using find it, be careful to toss the treat away from the other dog.

Like a handshake, if a greeting is too long it can get awkward. 3 seconds is a good rule to follow.

Nice greeting behaviours include relaxed bodies and tails, circular greetings (when each dog curves around to sniff the other dog's butt). You may also see some ‘calming signals’ such lip licking and head turns. These generally indicate that a dog is meaning no threat, or they may be a bit uncomfortable.

Keep the lead loose and move your feet to follow your dog and be in a position to call your dog away to the side, rather than from behind.

Each time you practice you and your dog will get better and more relaxed. But remember it’s ok if you don’t allow your dog to greet other dogs on lead. Just happily move them along and reward your dog for moving past another dog calmly.