17/04/2023
Otago German Shepherd Dog Club
How do you introduce dogs ?
Carefully🙂.
Your emotional state will also play a part in introductions. Your nervousness needs to settle as much as your dogs does.
Your emotions are contagious to your dog.
If you are nervous.....nervous and wary dog
If you are calm.....calm and relaxed dog.
So if you have a friend or family member and want your dogs to meet... YOU need to be calm and confident.
This is why we start at a distance, not only for your dogs emotional well being but after a few minutes of having the other dog walk on the opposite side (in the same direction)....YOU will start to relax. Your breathing will be lower in your lungs, your heart rate will decrease and your dog will be aware of ALL this.
There is no rush to meet....you may need to repeat this over a few days, a week or longer. The more your dogs can be in the same vicinity and KNOW you are calm....the easier your dog will accept this new dog.
Neutral territory
I cannot stress this enough.
Not your yard, not their yard.
Not your house.
Not even your street.
Not your car as you drive to a neutral territory.
They need to see each other in neutral territory for the best chance at accepting their possible new friend.
Dogs do not need to accept or like other dogs and for those in the small percentile that have a truly social dog ....this is often difficult to understand.
If you do take your dog to the dog park (not my favourite place but some do enjoy this)....the dog that is running around engaging with all the other dogs, imposing themselves into every situation is NOT usually friendly.....they are over aroused and being pushy. They have no idea of the subtilties of dog to dog interactions. Dogs may respond to this energy badly.
Dogs that ignore most dogs but interact with a few calmer ones is a dog that MAY be ok to interact with. Talk to the dogs family and ask what that dog is like with others.
How does this dog play?
What does this dog like?
What dogs does this dog NOT like?
However there may be those dreaded words .....
"Its OK my dog is friendly"
IGNORE the words and OBSERVE the dog and the interactions with others.
Arrange to meet up next week to attempt a play.....most dogs appreciate being around others to get a feel for this dogs play style and energy.....even at the dog park there is NO rush. They may need a few meetings before they interact.
Don't just judge the breed because it may be the same as yours, that is no guarantee of success.......observe the behaviour....watch the behaviour.....watch the body language.
Dogs meeting can go very wrong.....but just remember there is no rush. If you prepare, observe and look at the body language you can see all the subtle tells dogs have.
Always remember it is OK for your dog to not want to play with others, just being around other dogs is enough for some. Some older dogs are firmly where they want to be socially and will be very reluctant to expand their social circle.....respect that.