[Turtle11]

I find this an interesting topic because I find owners allow their leashed dogs to come up to mine all the time, whether out walking on a street or going to a city event. I guess they think my dog looks like a well-behaved boy (little do they know, lol). Anyways, it happens all the time when owners don't ask before letting their dog meet mine.

I'm not a fan of leashed dog to dog greetings, especially since a stranger walked their dog up to mine (without asking first), and their dog almost took a chomp on mine.

Besides not knowing how their dog would react....another reason I dislike leashed dog greetings is my adolescent dog still can get excited about other dogs while on the leash. We have been trying to teach him that being on a leash means he is not allowed to meet other dogs. (Instead, he can play with all the dogs he wants at daycare or play dates). But when other owners have their dogs come up to ours, I'm usually not prepared for it, my boy gets excited, the leashes turn into a tangled mess...and my boy still is not getting the message sunk into his head.

My favourite is when people ask "Oh, is it alright if they meet?" after their dog has already rushed up to ours and they are face to face... onder:

I don't get upset about it, but it can be annoying.... :eyeroll:

This article is a good read:

On Leash Dog Greetings: Yes or No? - Smart Dog University

 

[ChessaQ]

I do on occasion. It really depends on the dog and the place. Generally out in public I don't allow it just because I don't trust other dogs. But Echo is 100% fine meeting other dogs on a leash. As long as I trust the other dog I allow it. I don't allow it with Chess because it will automatically make her guard me and be be on the defense.

 

[Shandula]

I try not to allow it, but as you've said, people tend to do whatever they want, regardless of your wishes. My Aussie is very dog-friendly, and loves all dogs, so like yours he gets over-excited when dogs approach him. I also am trying to teach both my dogs that just because you see a dog, doesn't mean you get to meet that dog.

People man.

 

[Chas]

Most of the time Echo suddenly has ringworm, owners then to disappear their dogs when you say diseasy words.

I got really frustrated that people let their dogs meet her on a tight leash, Echo understandably is scared of dogs that appear to be lunging at her.

 

[Gnostic Dog]

No, I do not allow it. If I am asked if their dog can say "hello" I will say no, he is friendly but very large, so I prefer to err on the side of caution. Because of his size, most people don't want to go near us anyway, which is totally fine with me.

 

[Gnostic Dog]

I try not to allow it, but as you've said, people tend to do whatever they want, regardless of your wishes. My Aussie is very dog-friendly, and loves all dogs, so like yours he gets over-excited when dogs approach him. I also am trying to teach both my dogs that just because you see a dog, doesn't mean you get to meet that dog.

People man.

This my dog knows. He is not allowed to approach dogs on or off leash.

 

[Moonstream]

I allowed it when mine was a puppy because I felt it was good socialization, especially since I didn't have a whole lot of dogs I knew well that she could say hi to. She used to be very police on-leash, now she gets over excited and is too in the other dog's face for me to feel comfortable allowing it with dogs I don't know. The only time she gets to say hi to other dogs while on leash is if the person asks and their dog is obviously a young dog or puppy, because I feel more confident those dogs won't snark at her for getting in their face. I will sometimes let her say hi to other Bostons and some friendly Bully Breeds, as well, because they tend to have a similar play style. As a general rule, though, she isn't allowed to because I'm also trying to teach her that just because she sees another dog doesn't mean she gets to go say hi.

 

[PipsMom]

I let my dog say hi on and off leash if she is being a good girl. I focus a lot on teaching her to be calm in the presence of dogs and people. She still has a long way to go with her fear of humans, but dogs and meeting them boosts her confidence so much when we are out in public. I always ask first if it's okay if she meets the other dog and I only allow her to meet dogs who are calm and friendly. I avoid puppies because they are often too boisterous and dogs who are over-excited or frustrated on the leash.

Pip can just as easily walk away from or ignore dogs.

 

[DriveDog]

Depends on the chemistry as well as the command and control the other handler has with their dog. If their dog is pulling, I do a 180 or walk by with my body between the two dogs and will just calmly tell the other person my dog is still working on her manners. If the leashed meet and greet is allowed rarely, my dog must sit in the heel position before I release her to greet the other dog.

The other day, a lady let her little dog come running over to my leashed much bigger dog. I stopped, my dog defaulted to the sit position beside me as I told the lady this might not go so well for your doggy and you might recall your dog now. Of course she couldn't and her dog started doing the tough dog routine barking at mine about 2 feet in front of us. I decided to release my dog from position and my dog responded in kind. She's not a shy dog and doesn't care much for other posturing dogs of that nature. She stood, took a step forward and vocalized her thoughts and then I commanded her to off. I probably should have not done this for a few reasons but I caved in, I guess. The other dog decided to turn and move away. The lady was apologizing but I have a feeling she allows this very often and gets a kick out of her little dog trying to intimidate other leashed dogs.

Your comment " We have been trying to teach him that being on a leash means he is not allowed to meet other dogs." hits home with me. It takes a lot of training to get a reactive dog to stay under command when other dogs are in close proximity. The fact that your dog is maintaining is what lures these other people with their dogs to come over to yours, little do they know as you say. The upside is, it's a good way to proof a reactive dog ( if the dog is to that point ) when people just come up to you without asking but they are not being very wise IMO.

I rather like Chas's response! I might try that in the future just to see what type of reaction I get.

 

[jagger]

I have no problem with it to be honest as long as body language is good. If our pup acts like he doesn't want to, then he's right, he's better at reading other dogs than I.

 

[KayWilson]

Rarely. Tessa has space issues, meaning she likes her personal space to be respected, we've also just recently found our sweet spot in our barrier frustration issues. I only allow her to meet dogs on leash that she already knows, because they know how to greet properly. To strange dogs I usually yell something like "she's in training", "she has kennel cough" or "she's not small dog friendly". I had to start using the small dog one more frequently because I've ran into an influx of people with small dogs that have "little dog syndrome" who thinks it's adorable when their shih tzu, usually on a flexi leash, charges at my larger dog barking a war cry.

 

[kmes]

I do occasionally allow greetings with a couple of my dogs if it's a dog they are already friends with but really that's about it. Random unfamiliar dogs are pretty much always a no.
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[Artdog]

Not if I get a choice. @Chas SOW is awesome (Sudden Onset of ringWorm), I will try that someday.
Best ever was meeting a lady who understood I was training a reactive dog. We walked through the neighbourhood for 20 minute, chatting, side by side, with our dogs on the far side in a loose heel. I wish I could find more such folk.

 

[larnicseoin]

I allow it, but that's because my dog (jack Russell cross pomeranian) loves everyone and he's really submissive xD I agree getting the leads tangled is annoying, but he's mostly off the lead, and if dogs don't like him he gets the message and backs off xD