By Fran Jewell
Recently, I was working with a young puppy in town. We were practicing friendly greetings with people with no jumping. Along came two HUGE male dogs at least twice the size of the puppy. They were off leash but with electronic collars so I assume the owner of the two huge dogs felt he had control of them. The two huge dogs surrounded the puppy, sniffing and putting their heads over the pup’s shoulder. The puppy, clearly terrified and unsure what to do, tried to back away and hide. The two huge dogs did not bite, growl or sneer at the puppy, but clearly terrified the pup. I asked the owner to please call his dogs. The owner seemed insulted that I would ask. I tried to explain that the puppy was clearly not having fun.
Contrary to popular belief, this was not a “friendly” greeting on the part of the huge dogs. Mugging is when one dog emotionally or physically creates trauma for another dog. It does not necessarily mean a fight or bite. This incident was a mugging.
A “mugger” has been allowed to do such behaviors in the name of being “social.” What would have been proper social protocol would be for the owner of the huge dogs to ask if it was all right for them to “socialize” with the puppy (or other adult dog), giving the puppy owner a choice.
Fortunately, in this particular case, the puppy is very social and quite confident. It did not appear that there would be long-lasting effects from this interaction.
HOWEVER, had this puppy been going through one of the first-year fear periods, this could have emotionally damaged the puppy forever. If the puppy had been a fear-aggressive adult dog, on a leash, this could have turned into a terrible fight. And, given the size and breed of these two male dogs, I am afraid it could have ended very ugly.
Had this puppy been a service dog or service dog in training, the actions of the two huge dogs would have been against the law, interfering with the work of a service dog. In Idaho, there is a $5000 fine for interfering with the work of a service dog.
Socialization is a great thing. Kind, friendly dogs are wonderful. But, allowing any dog to mug another dog is potentially dangerous to everyone, even the human passersby.
Proper social greeting is to have your dog under control enough that you can ask your dog to sit near you when you see another dog or person. Ask first if it is okay for your dog(s) to socialize or greet the other dog. Then, be respectful of the owner’s response. It is no dog’s God-given right to approach anyone — dog or human — without the other’s permission. As a dog owner, this is simple respect. It doesn’t matter if your dog is a rescue, or purpose bred, if you are new to town, or if you are hiking in the woods, OR if your dog is “friendly.” Please, just be respectful and PREVENT muggings. It’s the kind, caring thing to do.
Fran Jewell is an IAABC Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, NADOI Certified Instructor and the owner of Positive Puppy Dog Training, LLC in Sun Valley. For more information, visit positivepuppy.com or call 208-578-1565.