Doggone Etiquette —

Introductions

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

Here’s an etiquette question for you. When you’re with your VIPerson and meet someone you’ve never seen before, what’s the first thing you do? Bark? Growl? Jump up on them to say hello? Dear dog, any one of those rude responses will earn you a stern, “No!”  After all, the person you are being introduced to could be someone very special – like a new dog sitter. Your best bet is to sit or stand politely next to your VIPerson and wait. When the newcomer has greeted you (with or without a smile or a kind word) just stay put and wag your tail. Sniffing their shoes is permissible, but only after the introduction business is over. Sniffing another dog is okay, too, but don’t get carried away. It’s even more complicated to be introduced to kids, and as for being introduced to a new dog – in your house? – well, that’s another story.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:

Most of the things you teach your dog amount to just plain good manners, whether the interaction is with people, dogs, or cats. For your own peace of mind, introductions are an important bit of etiquette for you to teach Rufus. If you are the least bit unsure of how he will react to meeting people, having him on lead while you’re out walking will give you a good opportunity to teach him how it’s done. Too often we chat with the person encountered (about the weather, or something equally unimportant) and neglect to observe what Rufus is up to. But if he barks, or growls, or tries to jump up, or hides behind you, it is up to you to correct the unwanted behavior immediately. Instantly! On the spot! Then follow up by teaching him how he must behave.

All people, whether kids or adults, need to learn how to greet a dog in order to make the introduction go smoothly. Here’s how it’s done. Approach calmly and ask the owner if it’s okay to pet the dog. When Rufus is in a “wait” mode (no matter if it’s a sit, or stay, or stand) casually offer one hand – palm up – in front of and below the dog’s muzzle to let him sniff. A hand coming down over the dog’s head is both rude and threatening. No dog wants to be hit on the head! There’s another caution that goes along with this. Rufus should be taught from Day One to take any treat held in the palm of an outstretched hand gently. Very gently!

Introducing children can be one of those two-way problems. A shy child needs a lot of encouragement, and therefore needs to meet a cool, calm, and collected dog. And a child running toward the dog with arms waving, no matter how happy the child appears to be, could intimidate any dog. Or, equally difficult to cope with, Rufus might respond with similar exuberance. That’s where jumping up is a real no-no because the child could easily be scratched or knocked over. In either case, with Rufus on lead and on a sit-stay, assume your instructor’s role to correct (and teach) both the child and the dog.

Growling cannot be tolerated, but I have known dogs that make sounds that are more like grumbling than like actual growling. These odd mutterings are usually accompanied by a wagging tail and calm body language. If your dog does this, give the person a brief but prompt explanation – and do it with a smile. A first-time introduction between two dogs is best done outdoors, not inside the home of one of them. And as mentioned, sniffing is considered to be polite in this case.

Good manners don’t happen overnight. All this teaching takes time and patience whether it’s with dogs or kids.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.