"You never get a second chance to make a good first impression."
Doggy Etiquette
Doggy etiquette, or manners, is not just an issue with how dogs interact with humans. How a dog interacts with other dogs greatly influences how other dogs respond. Does your dog enjoy other dogs but seems to annoy them? Do they often elicit aggression? Perhaps other dogs just try to avoid your dog? You might want to look at your dog’s etiquette, or lack there of.
Irritating Behaviors
Obviously, dogs who like to relate to other dogs by pawing at them can often be poorly received. So can dogs who lick the mouths of other dogs. Of course dogs who bite other dogs while chasing them often cause problems. Probably the most common behavior that dogs find irritating is simply being jumped on. Unless they themselves like to play that way. This is but a small list of behaviors that can be irritating.
Dominance
Another way dogs create conflict with other dogs is through posturing. Most often this is done to establish dominance. It may be stopping just in front of a dog, and tensing their muscles while nose to nose. Another form of posturing that is a trigger for a lot of dogs is posturing with muscles tense and head above the other dog’s shoulder.
As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. As a result of their associative minds this saying is even more true for dogs than it is for humans.
Puppies
Puppies can often cause problems simply by being affectionate and playful. They usually do so with complete abandon, which only adds to the problem. Even if an adult dog is understanding of a puppy’s antics, the inability to escape the puppy’s escapades can lead to intolerance.
Teaching Manners Between Dogs
The first step is to teach which behaviors are no longer allowed. This beginning process is called molding. This brings a gentle awareness of the behavior that needs to change. As most dogs are on “auto pilot” when interacting this awareness is a very much needed first step.
Once these undesirable behaviors are understood by a dog long-term rules can be established which will govern these behaviors.
The "Ease Down" Command
For some dogs they also need to learn an “ease down” command. The “ease down” command allows for a dog to be in the presence of another dog, but with minimal interaction. Almost, a “time out” but without any negative connotation. Once the “play” command is given the dog can return to whatever type of play is allowed.
The ”ease down” command can be made into an automatic rule in specific situations. An example of this is the “ease down” command being automatically in effect when entering the house for active dogs living together. This can also work well for the overly exuberant dog when initially meeting calmer play mates.
Solutions
Teaching manners is an option for any dog enrolled in our Dog Training Fundamentals, Fundamentals Plus and Life’s an Adventure training programs.
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