Does Your Dog Really Need to Greet That Dog on Lead?

You see another dog coming towards you on the footpath. Your dog spots them too. Suddenly the lead tightens, the adrenaline builds, and before you know it, you’re being pulled towards a dog you’ve never met.

Sound familiar?

Many dog owners assume that letting their dog say hello is part of being social. But when dogs are on lead, my number one rule is never allow any on lead greetings.

A Lead Changes the Conversation

Dogs communicate with much more than a quick sniff. They use movement, posture, distance and subtle body language to work out how they feel about each other.

A lead will interfere with that communication.

When two dogs meet while restrained (wether one or both are on lead), they can’t always create the space they naturally would. One dog may want to move away while the other wants to get closer. Add tight leads (opposition reflex) and a narrow footpath into the mix, an interaction that began with friendly intentions can quickly become uncomfortable.

This doesn’t mean on-lead greetings will always go badly. It simply means it’s a recipe for disaster waiting to happen.

Neutrality Is a Skill Worth Teaching

There’s a big difference between a dog who is friendly with other dogs and a dog who expects access to every dog they see.

Ideally, we want our dogs to be able to notice another dog without feeling that they have to rush over and investigate.

Think about what that could look like on a walk: your dog sees another dog across the street, acknowledges them and then continues walking with you.

No pulling. No barking. No battle at the end of the lead.

That’s a fantastic skill, particularly when walking through busy Melbourne suburbs, local parks and shared public spaces.

Not Every Dog Wants to Say Hello

It’s also worth remembering that we know very little about the unfamiliar dogs we pass.

The dog approaching you could be nervous around other dogs. They might be recovering from surgery, learning to manage reactivity, elderly, newly adopted or working through their own training program.

Some dogs simply don’t enjoy close interactions with unfamiliar dogs — and that’s okay.

Giving other dogs space is good walking etiquette and can make public spaces more comfortable for everyone.

Make Yourself Part of the Walk

Rather than allowing your dog to automatically pull towards another dog, use these moments to build engagement with you.

Reward, engage and play with your dog when they notice another dog and choose to check back in. Reinforce a loose lead. Change direction when necessary. Create enough distance for your dog to remain comfortable and successful.

These seemingly small moments add up.

Over time, your dog can learn that seeing another dog doesn’t predict an exciting greeting. Sometimes it simply means, “There’s a dog over there, and we’re continuing with our walk.”

For owners looking for a dog trainer near me, this is an important part of good dog training: learning how to work with your dog in everyday situations, not just teaching behaviours in a controlled environment.

But What About Socialisation?

Socialisation is important, but more isn’t necessarily better.

A dog who has met hundreds of other dogs isn’t automatically well socialised. What matters is whether their experiences have been safe, appropriate and positive.

For dogs who genuinely enjoy canine company, carefully chosen interactions with compatible dogs can be valuable. Ideally, these happen in environments where dogs have room to move, take breaks and communicate naturally.

For suitable dogs, supervised services such as All Day Dogs in Dandenong may provide opportunities for social interaction.

The Goal Isn’t an Antisocial Dog

Choosing to skip on-lead greetings doesn’t mean you’re teaching your dog to dislike other dogs.

You’re teaching them something much more useful:

Seeing another dog doesn’t mean they have to interact with them.

That lesson can make walks considerably easier. It can reduce frustration at the end of the lead, help prevent pulling and give you more options when navigating busy areas.

Most importantly, it helps your dog learn that you will guide them through social situations rather than expecting them to work everything out for themselves.

If your dog struggles to pass other dogs calmly, becomes overexcited on walks or needs help developing better lead manners, Ethical Dog Training offers private lessons for practical dog training in Melbourne. Call Emilia on 0403433399 or click the link to fill out the contact form.

The next time another dog approaches, don’t feel guilty about smiling at the other owner and continuing on your way.

The best greeting is no greeting at all.

Written by Emilia Borkowski
10.08.26
Images credited to: Paul Esch Laurent, Honest Paws and Ashosh Dagoria.