samsonsmom

(By NANO/for BOXER FORUMS)

When introducing dogs to each other it is best to take it slowly and do your greetings outside. A neutral area is a good start with only two dogs meeting, one on one. Don’t overwhelm dogs with two meeting one or more, that is just too stimulated and changes the whole mindset of dogs and is asking for trouble. Pick an area with plenty of room and limited distractions (like other dogs, people) so dogs are able to focus on just what is happening between you and them. I like to start with dogs on leash, owner in control, and everyone focusing on each other before hand. Start dogs out with lots of distance apart from each other, like 50 feet, so they can sniff the air between themselves and settle themselves. Dogs have to remain quiet and listening to you before ANY greetings are initiated. This is key. Make sure you watch your dog’s body language during this entire procedure. If at anytime things are just too exciting always back up and save the actual greeting for another time.

Put dog in a sit and walk in a very large rectangular pattern with a dog on opposite corners. Both owners continue forward with dog on a heel (or shorter leash) and walk forward a few feet then sit again. The idea is to have dog listening to you before the actual greeting are allowed to start. Now walk again a little further if dog is settling in somewhat. You will make this entire rectangle with dogs allowing to sniff the air with the scent of the other dog that you are following. After you have made the rectangle you can switch and walk the other way so that your dog is now being followed by the other dog. Keep doing your rectangle work until dogs are being calm and focus is on you and less on the other dog. They will be getting pretty familiar with other dogs scent by now and are calming down.

Once they have calmed and had good access to other dog’s scent you may move in for closer work. Size down your rectangle and do it again. If things are still going well you may proceed with decreasing distance again. Now it would be time to work in straight lines with dog at your side. Turn and face each other with dogs on a heel (sit)by your side about 20-30 feet away. Say “let’s walk” go ahead 4 -5 steps and stop and ask for another (sit). If it’s going good continue forward 4 - 5 steps again and all of a sudden say “let’s go” again and turn quickly and walk the other way a 10 feet and turn back and stop and ask for a “sit” . Remember thru out this exercise to give lots of praise to dog for the “good sit!, good sit!” so he/she knows that you are very proud of his work and keeping the dogs focus back on you and his relationship. Keep working this until you are able to get within 5 feet of the other person and their dog and both dogs are able to remain seated by your side.

Now things get fun! Oh, brother this is always a good one. You have worked hard with your dog to get to this point of being within 5 feet or the other dog. You are now going to exchange slobber! No, not the dogs yet, but YOU the owners! You take your hand and wipe it on your dogs lips (both owners at the same time) and then you are going to shake hands (dogs are still in sit) and once you have exchanged your dogs slobber with theirs you are going to rub that slobber on your dogs lips (not your own please, well, okay, if you insist you may) This act gives your dog the final load of information about his new friend. You are then going to say “let’s go “ and walk right past that other dog headed in the other direction. Go about 10 feet and turn and face the other party and have dog “sit”. If dogs are still remaining calm at this point you can carry on to the next step, the actual “greeting”.

You will say “Dog, do you want to say Hi?” and walk forward with a LOOSE LEASH (very, very important) . The dogs are to BRIEFLY sniff and then you say “let’s go” and turn and quickly go in the other direction like you practiced before they actually met. During this brief greeting you are to STAY BEHIND YOUR DOGS TAIL (this keeps leashes from tangling together) AND KEEP THE LEASH LOOSE. Any tension in your leash transmits to the dog, so once they are greeting keep it LOOSE and keep the initial greetings short. Do it again, keep it short and get out while it’s good. Do it again and give them a few more seconds, do it again, again, again. Keep it short and sweet until you know things are going well.
(By NANO/for BOXER FORUMS)

__________________
--WILLOW---Owned by *Angel 8/8/05 & Flick 3/8/08
Samson, waiting at the bridge 8/27/08



CafePress Store | Boxer Forums Clothing