9 Etiquette Rules Every Dog Owner Needs to Memorize

Keep your dog greeting quick and positive

Before you allow your pup to greet a potential four-legged friend, pay attention to body language. “When two dogs are meeting, make sure both dogs are calm and show inviting body language,” says Vicky Haines, a rescue and rehabilitation trainer in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. You can recognize when dogs are calm when they have relaxed tails, relaxed bodies, soft eyes, and are responsive to their handlers. Since dogs can sense your energy, it’s important to make sure you are calm as well. “Avoid face-to-face contact and let the dogs smell each other’s rears,” she notes. “Allow the dogs to guide you by their body language and energy. I like to keep on-leash meetings quick and positive,” she says. In contrast, Haines cautions, “If either dog is puffed up, making themselves look big, stiff, tail held high, fixed eyes, or at the end of their leash, keep walking. That dog is not a good candidate to introduce to your dog.” Find out the 50 secrets your pet won’t tell you.