Often I meet dogs who show some degree of aggression or reactivity towards other dogs, but it seems random.

It’s only some dogs.

Sometimes we can see that it is only fluffy dogs, flat faced dogs or dogs or a certain breed type.

It’s like a little doggy racist. But at least we can see a pattern.

Other times, it appears much more random.

How can we explain this?

Have you ever met someone at a party or been introduced to a mutual friend and just… not liked them?

Maybe you can’t put your finger on it.

Maybe it’s the look on their face.

Maybe they said something you thought was rude or inappropriate.

Maybe it was me and you are about to unsubscribe…

But sometimes for whatever reason, we just don’t like everyone we meet.

And it’s the same with our dogs.

There is always some reason. But it may not be an obvious one. For example, the other dog might just be a little too energetic and it’s coming off to your dog as offensive.

Perhaps both dogs carry themselves in a dominant way and want to be on top in the relationship as soon as they meet and neither will give in.

Or maybe one day your dog was given the doggy finger by a passing poodle and never forgot that b*tch’s face.

Whatever the reason, the point is that we can’t always predict or control whether our dogs like every other dog.

That’s why it’s so important to train your dog to listen under distraction and to learn to read their body language so that you can at least see how your dog is feeling and know how to intervene.

You can learn a lot about your dog (and them about you) through training together.

It strengthens your bond, improves your communication together and makes them quicker to learn AND makes them tired. Win win win.

To learn more about training so that you and your dog are safer and easier to predict and control in any situation, check out the Dog Matters Academy.

Woofs and wags

Tenille