Letting dogs have a hello sniff

WindSock

When myself and mr westie are out for our leisurely stroll, he absolutley must say hello to all other doggies he sees. I always stop so they can get their 3 second bum sniff, then we are on our way again. I think it is important for animals to socialise, but often when we stop, the other dogs owner yanks their dog away and says c'mon. It's not as if they are in a hurry or anything, I just wonder why they won't let their dogs say Hi?

peasant

Some people seem to think that their dogs are better than others and shouldn't mix with the "plebs", others think that sniffing of anal glands and sexual organs is "eugh", others simply don't know what dogs want and need

alexdenby6

i find a lot of owners are scared that my gsd will hurt their babies. she just wants to play and is best mates with a jack russell dachshund cross.

Garth

Some dogs aren't good with other dogs. Leave it up to the owner, they know their dog, you don't.

Gillie

Garth wrote:

Some dogs aren't good with other dogs. Leave it up to the owner, they know their dog, you don't.

Agreed!
In the past i've allowed other dogs do this to mine only to have them turn on my fella.

peasant

On second thought ...:o

I don't let our dogs sniff every other one either.
Depends very much on their form (no good if they're too excited) and the behaviour of the other dog.

On the lead things can sometimes escalate into an argument a lot quicker than they would if the dogs were running free.

Nothing's worse than having to disentangle the leads of dogs that are gunning for a bit of a fisticuff.

WindSock

I suppose it could be a bit of a risk, but I would have thought it is ok if both parties are wagging their tails?

2funki4wheelz

boreds wrote:

I suppose it could be a bit of a risk, but I would have thought it is ok if both parties are wagging their tails?

there's even different kinds of tail wagging - if its high and stiff it could be a dog trying to assert some dominance.

I agree with a previous poster - let each owner decide - the vibes they pass down to their dog (nerviousness/fear/anger) could result in the dogs fighting.

Rigsby

Garth wrote:

Some dogs aren't good with other dogs. Leave it up to the owner, they know their dog, you don't.

I agree. I usually watch the body language of the other dog after mine was bitten for no obvious reason while sniffing another dog.

FlutterinBantam

:eek:

High and stiff!!!

WTF!!!

Gillie

FlutterinBantam wrote:

:eek:

High and stiff!!!

WTF!!!

Good one!

rubyred

That is just what I find. I bring my puppy on walks to meet other dogs and the other owner won't even let her have a sniff. I actually considered putting on a t-shirt that said something like "my puppy wants to play". I've been arranging puppy play dates recently with other owners in my area. We meet a green/park at a designated time and our puppies/dogs play together for 20 mins.

2funki4wheelz

Gillie wrote:

Good one!

the tail, people, the tail!