Why You Should Avoid On-Leash Greetings When Walking Your Dog

Diamond's Friends Pet Rescue
Jun 15
4 min read

Picture this: you’re walking your dog, and they see another pup or a new person. Their tail starts wagging, so you let them say hello. After all, dogs are social animals, right?

The problem is that letting dogs meet other dogs or new people while on leash can actually do more harm than good.

There’s a reason why we’ve seen some trainers on Instagram say that you should set aside $100 for professional training each time you let your dog greet another dog or person on leash. Let’s dig into why.

1. Leashes Restrict Body Language

This issue is more for dogs meeting other dogs while on leash, but it’s still important.

Dogs are expert communicators, using posture, facial expression, tail position, and even movement to say, “Hey, I come in peace” or “Back off.” A leash limits their ability to send or receive these critical social cues.

This can lead to miscommunication. A dog might lunge forward for a friendly sniff, but the other dog, unable to read that body language, might misinterpret the move as aggressive.

Suddenly, a simple “hello” can turn into a scuffle that impacts all future interactions your dog has with other dogs.

Learn More: Dog Body Language

2. Leashes Prevent Escape Routes

Would you enjoy meeting someone new if you knew you couldn’t walk away? Probably not.

Dogs feel the same. If they’re nervous or overwhelmed and can’t create space because they’re tethered, they may resort to defensive behavior out of fear.

The lack of an exit can heighten anxiety and lead to fight-or-flight instincts (minus the flight option). With dog-to-dog interactions, this could mean a fight breaks out. With human-to-dog interactions, this may mean the person gets bitten.

3. It Can Increase Reactivity

With leashes restricting body language and preventing escape routes, it only makes sense that a dog would be more defensive if they meet new dogs or people while on leash.

Think of the leash as both a physical restraint and an emotional amplifier. When dogs feel restricted, they’re more likely to become frustrated or anxious.

That bottled-up energy can quickly turn into reactivity, even for dogs who are normally social off-leash.

4. Leash Greetings Can Be Dangerous

You never really know how another dog will react, or even your own, especially if they’re caught off guard. Dogs may appear calm one second and suddenly lunge, bark, or snap the next.

Or, if you are dealing with meeting a new person, that person may interact with your dog in a way that makes your pup uncomfortable, causing them to react defensively.

And the danger factor is not just about personalities. Dogs and people can get tangled in leashes (especially retractable ones; DON’T use those), causing panic or even injury to the dogs or the humans.

Learn More: Preventing Dog Bites

5. It Can Create Bad Habits

Allowing your dog to greet everyone they see on walks teaches them that pulling, jumping, whining, or frustration barking gets rewarded with interaction. This reinforces demand-based behavior, making walks more stressful for both of you.

Before you know it, your peaceful strolls have turned into a chaotic and embarrassing tug-of-war because your dog now expects to greet every human and dog that crosses your path. And if they don’t get their way, they may become reactive.

If you want to make sure your walks are calm and enjoyable, just skip allowing people and other dogs to interact with your dog.

6. It Undermines Your Leadership

Letting your dog make decisions about who to greet and when can chip away at your role as a confident leader, which can create HUGE problems.

Dogs feel more secure when they trust their handler to manage the environment. If they think it’s their job to greet, protect, or “handle” situations on walks, it can lead to increased anxiety, reactivity, or leash-based territorial behavior.

7. It’s Just Not Necessary

This might come as a surprise to some people, but your dog doesn’t need to greet every dog or person they come across. In fact, structured, off-leash playdates in controlled environments with dogs you know are well-adjusted are far safer and more beneficial to your dog’s socialization.

Think quality over quantity. A few positive social experiences are far better than a dozen rushed, tension-filled ones on a sidewalk.

Learn More: How To Introduce Your Dog to New People

Final Thoughts

Unless you have some serious cash stashed away to hire a professional trainer who can help you overcome any issues that arise from on-leash greetings, it’s better to focus on keeping your dog engaged with you on walks.

Practice loose-leash walking, reward calm behavior, and save the greetings for more appropriate settings.