[Skitlett]

It's there a standard ettique when meeting other leashed dogs in pet stores? I tend to avoid walking in aisles with other dogs in case they aren't friendly.

I took my pup to a store for the first time in two years and saw a husky that seemed dog reactive. I avoided and waited her to leave before going to the that aisle. While in another aisle, the person walked behind me while my pup was sitting next to me. I took some treats from my pocket to get my dog's attention while the husky tried to sniff my dog. The owner then said under her breath, "guess you're not meeting that dog because he's using treats."

Tldr: are we to assume all dogs are well behaved when in stores? Is proper ettique still asking for dogs to meet?

 

[Toedtoes]

For me, it's like everywhere else - no dog-to-dog interaction. I don't let my dogs interact with unknown dogs. And with my Cat-dog's dog fear issues, I don't even let her interact with dogs I know and trust. Her only dog contact is Tornado-dog. She's far happier that way.

I will wait to go down an aisle until any other dogs have left the aisle. If someone lets their dog approach mine like that, I would have made it clear to the owner that it was not acceptable.

I'll add that her comment was just flat out stupid. A pet store is filled with food, toys, prey animals, etc. Your bringing out a few treats in the midst of all those smells is like peeing in the ocean.

 

[DaySleepers]

I avoid leashed greetings no matter where they are. I thought I was 'socializing' my first dog by allowing him to greet as many other dogs on-leash as possible, but instead I created a ton of frustration and stress that evolved into reactivity. I will allow my younger dog to have a quick sniff if we have to pass close to another dog, but if I can avoid it I will.

Sounds like the other dog either has guarding issues around treats, which is a valid reason to avoid meeting, or the owner believes that anyone who uses treats is a 'cookie pusher' using 'bribes', and therefore must have an unruly and untrained dog, which is silly. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, so would probably assume she has a good reason, but either way I wouldn't lose sleep over trying to figure it out.

Unfortunately, there will always be someone who takes issue with any boundary you set with your dog, even in situations where you have a dog who's actively fearful or aggressive towards other dogs. But I know I appreciate it a ton when other dog owners give my dogs space, or at least ask if it's okay to let their dog approach mine (and then respect my answer), so that's the approach I take in every environment. There may be more of an assumption that every dog in a pet store is friendly with other dogs and people, but even a dog that's polite in a busy setting doesn't always want strange dogs in their face, so I still think that keeping a respectful distance is what everyone should aim for.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

The worst place to take your dog is a pet store that is busy and allows dogs on leash. The dogs are not the issue. The clueless owners are the issue.

The dog that was allowed to come snuff yours had a clueless owner. "Please don't let your dog touch my dog" is an acceptable boundary. Better yet, get your dog up an move away and say nothing. So what if the other dog owner thinks you are rude? .

I have taken my dog to those places to train but I usually make that the goal and choose my times. I will add it has been years since I have done this.
If I am going to the store to buy merchandise my dog stays home.

 

[Skitlett]

How do things change if your dog has CGC? I still won't trust other dogs, but during the exam test, you need to show your pup knows how to greet other pups in leash... When does this happen? It's been awhile since I lived in a really dog friendly town.

 

[DaySleepers]

It's been a long time since I was looking into the CGC (since I'm no longer in the States), so I may be wrong, but I didn't think any tasks involved greeting other dogs, just being polite when another dog passed or stopping to say hello to another dog walker?

If the 'greetings' look like a calm, polite sniff, then sitting or hanging out next to you without further play/interaction, I would allow my dogs to do this with other dogs I knew and trusted. I still wouldn't allow any play in an on-leash greeting outside of the CGC training, if that's necessary for the title, both because the leashes can restrict body language and cause communication issues between the dogs and because I don't want my dog anticipating play when we're out on a walk and pass a doggy friend (or a dog who looks like their friend). That can lead to frustration, stress, and reactivity over time.

When my dogs play with other dogs, it's off leash in a secure, fenced area only. The most dog-dog 'socializing' I do on leash is parallel walking, where the dogs are far enough apart that they don't have physical contact with each other, but it's still a social setting where they can observe and communicate with the other dogs at a distance. Are there dogs out there who can greet politely, play gently, and move on without getting amped up or frustrated, all on leash? Absolutely! But after experiencing the fallout with a dog who's the opposite of that, it's become very important to me that leash time is not dog-dog interaction time. It can be sniff time, exploration time, running time... I'm not very strict about what my dogs do on leash at all so long as they're not pulling me over and can come into a sit or heel when I need to let someone pass, but I draw the line at doggy social interaction.

 

[Toedtoes]

I agree with all that @DaySleepers has said.

 

[Skitlett]

Thanks, all!

 

[Khecha Wacipi]

There is a good article about meeting other dogs on leash in the Whole Dog Journal. To find it, go to their website, and search for Dog On Leash Greetings.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

The CGC does NOT have dogs meeting on leash. The dog being tested must be able to walk past a neutral dog without trying to get to or react to the neutral dog. The dog being tested must allow a neutral dog to pass by without being reactive. The neutral dog and the dog being tested absolutely do not meet.