All polite dog introductions and interactions should include some of the below signals from both dogs: Approaching the other dog in a sideways arc (instead of head-on) Moving slowly and calmly (without rushing) Avoiding direct eye contact (it's a sign of bad manners in the language of dogs)
When dogs don't feel able to move away – which they may not when in physical contact with us – they may resort to telling us to back off in less desirable ways. Give dogs a way of “opting in” to social contact by using the “3-second rule” of petting. Pet for no more than three seconds, then stop.
Warning signs include stiffness in the body; standing tall; ears pricked hard forward; growling; hard direct eye contact; stiffly raised, fast-wagging tails; lunging on the leash; and aggressive barking. If you see social behavior, proceed with an approach until the dogs are about 10 feet apart.
All polite dog introductions and interactions should include some of the below signals from both dogs: Approaching the other dog in a sideways arc (instead of head-on) Moving slowly and calmly (without rushing) Avoiding direct eye contact (it's a sign of bad manners in the language of dogs)
Dogs don't shake hands like people do, they use their nose to say hello. So, hold your hand in a fist so they can approach and sniff if they choose. Don't thrust your hand at the dog. They can smell you just fine from a distance, and the sudden movement could startle them.
Dogs that exhibit relaxed, playful body language during playtime at the dog park are more likely to get along with a new furry friend at home. And, if your pup is sad to leave their friends at the park, it's a good sign they'll benefit from a fur sibling.
Touching is a sign that animals not only get along well but also that they trust one another, said Nelson. "If they are sleeping with each other and snuggled up together — really truly making contact with each other — then that's an obvious sign that there's true affection between the animals," Nelson explained.
Since greeting others in this manner is natural for dogs, sometimes they assume that humans feel the same way. The other common behavior dogs will demonstrate is something usually called the “hip nudge.” A dog presenting their rear to you is a sign of passivity and friendliness.
Introduce on neutral territory.
If the dogs are not showing any negative behaviors, reward them with treats just for seeing each other. For example, when the dog you're walking looks at the other dog, you can say “Good boy!” in a happy, friendly voice and give him a treat. Repeat often.
Greeting Stretch
When you come home from work or school and your dog greets you with a stretch, that means that he is saying hello to you. Yes, that's right! Contrary to what most people believe, your dog didn't just wake up from a short nap or decide to do some puppy yoga.
Hang a bell or a string of bells to the door you commonly use to take your dog outside. Ring the bell each time your leave, and say your chosen command (such as “outside”) at the same time.
One of the most common reasons why dogs love to lick their owners is simply to show their affection. Since you're the one taking care of them, you're essentially their world! When dogs lick, pleasurable endorphins are released into their blood which makes them feel calm and comforted.
Non-reciprocal play. This is when you see one dog trying to engage another dog in play, but the other dog is ignoring that dog by looking away, walking to a different play space or flashing their teeth at the dog. These are all signs that at least one dog doesn't like the other.
The most common symptoms of inter-dog aggression include growling, biting, lip lifting, snapping, and lunging toward another dog. These behaviors may be accompanied by fearful or submissive body postures and expressions such as crouching, tucking the tail under, licking the lips, and backing away.
Universal canine body language
Pawing is the universal doggie sign, “Hey you! I want to play! Do you wanna play with me?” It's how dogs communicate with each other. One dog pawing another dog is a sign it's time to play.
Always check if it's OK for your dog to say 'hello' when passing other dogs on the lead, rather than just allowing them to approach. Dogs who like to be sociable will naturally choose to approach one another side-on in an arc as opposed to head-on, so wherever possible, try to allow for this.
When close enough, the dogs will greet each other. A good greeting would be the dogs walking up to each other, sniffing, and ending at sniffing each other's behinds. After the butt-sniff — this is the dog handshake — they should be friendly to play.
If you are calm, quiet, and steady in your first interaction with a dog, they will see that you're not a threat and have an overall calmer demeanor. Plus, not making sudden movements or noises reduces the chances of the dog being startled or scared , which makes them less likely to react.
You can teach your dog to introduce himself appropriately to another dog on cue; he does this by softly touching the other dog's nose or hindquarters. As he performs a canine greeting as a trained behavior, he will focus on the task rather than the stressful fact that another dog is in close proximity.
Once your dog is close enough to the other dog to almost touch him and is acting calmly and politely, tell your dog to “say hi”, and instruct your volunteer to do the same to his dog, then allow the dogs to briefly sniff each other.
Use the “two finger” rule: Once the dog's collar is fastened, you should be able to easily slide two fingers under the collar. When you slide the width of your two fingers between the collar and neck, the collar should feel snug, but not tight.
THE CORRECT WAY: * No Eye contact Let the dog approach you in his own time Keep either your SIDE or BACK towards the dog (non-threatening posture) * Pet or stroke him on the SIDE of his face or body.