From Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
🐾🐾🐾STEADY DIFFICULTY
From Teoti Anderson, CPDT-KA, KPA-CTP
We've got a super special sweepstakes running right now through Thursday, January 30th!
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The picks for the VIP Room (presented by Pedigree) are:
“Is that you?!” the guy gushes. “Joe has told me everything about you, and I already love you myself!” You flinch as his sweaty hands clamp your shoulders. You wriggle free, but blind to your discomfort, he keeps closing in. Backing away, you collide with an elegant woman and tip her champagne.
“You idiot!” she snaps. “This dress cost a thousand dollars!”
“I’m so sorry,” you mumble, retreating. Out the corner of your eye, a wiry man lingers at the edge of the room, scanning everyone without a blink. It reads creepy, so you edge toward the door. You’re about to bolt when a small mob swarms and blocks your way.
“Who are you?” a curious woman asks the owner.
“Do I know you?” a passerby inquires with a puzzled look.
“Hey, have we met? I like your shoes. Who does your hair?” another woman croons, reaching to stroke your hair.
Trapped, panic rises. “Leave me alone!” you cry.
“No need to be a jerk about it,” one mutters as they drift off.
Who was enjoying that party? Pretty much everyone but you.
Now flip that scene into a typical unregulated dog park. You’re a dog there for the first time. The sweaty, gushy guy is a goofy Boxer body-slamming every dog, claiming each as a best friend whether they agree or not. Creepy-starey guy on the rim is a Border Collie locking eyes on every dog, ready to herd them into a corner. Princess Champagne the Terrier takes offense easily. And blocking your exit is a pack of friendly Doodles with zero grasp of personal space.
Some of these dogs get along fine and enjoy the gathering. But not all will—and that gap sparks misunderstandings, squabbles, even fights. Here’s how to read whether your dog is having fun, hating it, or is that overeager guest ignoring everyone else’s signals.
Dogs should share similar play styles.
A few things make dogs compatible in play. As a rule, match similar sizes. Big and little dogs can play nicely, yes, but it takes close supervision and training so the small one isn’t hurt. With no bad intent, an exuberant teenage Golden can seriously injure a baby Maltese.
Dogs should share similar play styles. If one loves chasing but the other prefers body-slams, that pairing may not work.
When dogs play well, it’s a give-and-take. Both are into it and happy to engage. If one is avoiding the other, cowering, hiding behind you, or getting snappy, that’s a bad match—step in before it escalates. Never let dogs ‘sort it out themselves.’
Some dogs adore all dogs. Some like a select few buddies. Some want no canine company at all. All of that is normal. The myth that every dog must love every other dog is just that—a myth. We don’t like everyone we meet, so why should they?
What’s not okay is a dog needing to growl, snap, or bite just to say ‘I don’t want this.’ If your dog is fearful or aggressive toward dogs (or people), get help from a reward-based trainer who specialises in behaviour modification.
Some dogs are just socially awkward. They don’t ‘speak dog’ fluently, so others misread them. The puppy who launches straight at another dog’s face isn’t greeting properly. Some dogs cut her slack; others take offense and snap. Is your dog clumsy with others? You must step in—don’t let him bulldoze into another’s space.
If a dog keeps slamming others to the ground, especially biting at the neck or pouncing on shoulders, that’s not good.
Chasing, wrestling, and tug-of-war are all normal dog games. Jaw sparring—‘bitey face’—is when dogs clack open mouths together. They may growl doing it, which sounds terrifying but does no harm.
If a dog keeps slamming others down, especially biting at the neck or pouncing on shoulders, that’s not okay. The slammer may be loving it, but it’s still inappropriate.
Stalking other dogs and locking onto them from across the yard isn’t acceptable. Remember, every dog deserves a good time—if that’s not happening, intervene at once.
Rather than gamble on chaos at the local dog park, why not curate a friend group and set up private playdates? Hand-pick the right matches so everyone stays safe and happy. Use a fenced yard (or rent one). Have water bowls aplenty. If you’ll bring toys or treats, make sure the guests are polite and won’t scrap over them. You’ll be the favourite host on the block!
Photo kreminska/bigstock Let's dive into the details.
Hopefully you never need this, but please read it anyway—just in case.
1. Do NOT grab a dog’s collar to yank him off. You’ll likely get bitten.
2. With more than one person, each lift a dog’s hind legs high—the ‘wheelbarrow’ method. Don’t pull until the dog you hold has released the other, or you risk tearing injuries. It only works if every dog has a person; lifting just one leaves him exposed.
3. You can try deterrent spray.
4. If a hose is handy, spray them with water.
5. Indoors, grab the nearest blanket or sheet and toss it over them. Blinded momentarily, they may stop.
6. Once apart, leash them and put distance between them so they don’t re-engage.
From Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe for more great content!
Hold one treat at your dog's nose level and let the smell do the talking.
Say the cue once, clearly, in a happy voice - then wait.
The instant the wanted behavior happens, mark it with a cheerful Yes!
Reward within one second so the win is impossible to miss.
Add one small distraction at a time, and reward the brave choices.
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