Mary Allen
Sometimes it happens that we all make the mistake of just starting from ourselves and our own experiences. This applies not least as a dog owner.
Do you have a dog that wants a lot of space and does not like when someone gets too close? Then you might think that other dog owners lack respect and are careless who do not automatically take their dog to the side at a dog meeting. But those who have a positive and playful dog who likes to greet other dogs may not think at all that there are dogs who really do not want to greet. If you have such a wonderfully positive dog and see that the one you meet walks aside or takes out a wide bow, do not let go of your dog, do not stop and talk but pass quietly at a considerate distance.
If you are one of those who have a dog that can get loose, even a short distance from you, it may be easy to forget that there are actually few dogs that can. And even if you know that your dog will definitely not rush up to the dog you meet, it can create great uncertainty for both the meeting dog and its owner. Calling your dog in so that it comes close to you in that position can significantly lower the heart rate of those you meet. The same applies on the training ground. If you reward wildly and run fast-paced exercises, it is nice to do them some distance away from dogs that are excited by this.
Consideration in the Environment
And of course, you have all the “right” in the world to walk on the common behind the villa with the dog who always comes out and barks. It’s nice for you if your dog does not care about this, but out of consideration for the other dog and the dog owner (and the neighbors) maybe you can be a little quick to pass? Letting your dog stop and look, maybe even walk towards the fence, only stresses the other dog even more.
There are so many reasons why dogs and dog owners behave the way they do. But it undeniably makes everyday life easier if we show consideration and respect for each other. You probably do not know why the dog barks or makes outbursts and how the owner hopefully works to overcome it. Or he does not. Of course, this is not good, but there can be many reasons for it.
But as long as the dog does not get hurt or ask for advice, it is actually not your business to “raise” the other dog with your own methods. If you can open up for the dialogue by asking if you might be able to train together at, for example, dog meetings, they are of course very good and a good deed. But then you should know how you can train this in an effective and positive way, with the dog that the other person has. It may be completely different from yours. But wait until an opportunity when you meet in peace.