11/10/2025
š¾ Establish Predictable Patterns š¾
Lately, Iāve noticed a concerning trend ā many young dogs are getting growled at or even attacked during greetings. Itās heartbreaking because most of these moments could have been prevented. The good news? You can teach your dog to pause and think before greeting another dog. Absolutely, this is a skill that I teach dogs young and old each week!
Just like people, dogs benefit from structure and predictability. Many trainers focus on teaching predictable patterns because dogs learn them easily. Leslie McDevittās book Control Unleashed, for example, is packed with versatile exercises that gently teach impulse control and self-confidence.
With practice, youāll quickly know my Letās Talk Process is working with your dog, when you see your dog approach another dog and then pause before saying hello. That pause means your dog is thinking ā choosing calm communication over impulse. After a few sessions with familiar or new dogs, this pause becomes natural, helping your dog stay centered and respectful in social moments.
This transformation doesnāt come from corrections or distracting your dog with treats, but from giving your dog time and space to communicate safely from a distance. When we allow dogs to express themselves through natural body language ā a growl, a glance, or a simple pause ā we create understanding instead of conflict.
For example:
A less social dog learns heās allowed to growl at 10 feet to say āplease give me space,ā and heās not corrected for it.
A dog with hidden discomfort (like hip or elbow pain) is allowed to posture or show her teeth to set boundaries with an overly enthusiastic greeter.
These are healthy forms of communication ā not bad behavior. Teaching our dogs predictable, thoughtful patterns, we help them move through their social world with stronger social confidence and a healthy social skills. š
To follow my book launch which teaches my Let's Talk Process, click here:https://caninebehaviorcounseling.com/