21/05/2026
People often say they “love dogs” — but respecting a dog’s space is part of loving dogs too.
Today I had a small dog lying calmly on her blanket with a clear sign on the leash saying:
“In training — please ignore.”
Another couple approached with their dog and said,
“He wants to say hello.”
I politely replied,
“She’s in training, please don’t come closer.”
The reaction?
Upset. Offended. Shocked that I said no.
This is something dog owners and trainers deal with constantly.
Not every dog needs to greet your dog.
Not every dog wants interaction.
And training moments matter.
When a handler asks for space, it’s not rude. It’s responsible.
Some dogs are learning neutrality.
Some are nervous.
Some are reactive.
Some are recovering from bad experiences.
Some are simply practising calm behaviour around distractions.
The biggest problem is that many people still believe dogs should meet every dog they see. They don’t. Constant forced greetings often create frustration, over-arousal, leash reactivity, and poor social skills.
A well-socialised dog is not a dog that says hello to everyone.
A well-socialised dog can calmly ignore others and stay connected to their handler.
Please don’t take it personally when someone asks for distance.
Respecting boundaries helps dogs succeed
