Why dogs shouldn’t approach other dogs on walks is a question more Aussie dog parents are asking, usually after dealing with barking, lunging, or a walk that suddenly feels far more stressful than it should.
While it often comes from a good place, allowing dogs to approach each other on lead can increase anxiety, reinforce reactivity, and sometimes lead to fights… even when both dogs are considered “friendly”.
If walks have started to feel tense instead of enjoyable, this is likely a big part of why.
Let’s unpack what’s really going on, what safe socialisation looks like, and how to create calmer, happier walks for everyone involved.
Quick Take (For Busy Dog Parents)
- Not all dogs want to say hello and many can’t
- On-leash greetings increase stress and reactivity
- Friendly dogs can unintentionally trigger fearful dogs
- Calm neutrality is safer than forced socialisation
- Supporting anxious dogs internally makes training easier
Allowing your dog to approach other dogs might seem like a natural part of socialisation, but it's essential to understand the potential risks and implications.
Why Dogs Shouldn’t Approach Other Dogs
1. It Helps Prevent Dog Fights
Even the friendliest dog can react defensively when approached on lead.
On a leash, dogs:
- Can’t move away naturally
- Can’t use normal calming signals properly
- May feel trapped or threatened
When two dogs meet head-on with tension in the leash, it removes their ability to communicate safely. Many dog fights don’t start with “bad dogs”, they start with dogs who felt overwhelmed and had no escape.
2. It Reduces Anxiety and Reactivity
For anxious, sensitive, or reactive dogs, surprise greetings can feel like a lot, especially when they’re already processing traffic, noises, people, bikes, and smells.
Repeated stressful encounters teach the nervous system:
“Walks are unpredictable and unsafe.”
Over time, this can show up as:
- Barking or lunging at other dogs
- Freezing or refusing to walk
- Anxiety before even leaving the house
Read more about: How to Calm Your Dog
Calm walks aren’t built by forcing interaction, they’re built by creating predictability, space, and safety.
3. It Stops Unwanted Leash Behaviour from Forming
When dogs learn that pulling, staring, or barking sometimes results in getting to greet another dog, those behaviours are reinforced.
Suddenly you’ve got:
- A dog dragging you toward others
- Hyper-fixation on every passing dog
- Frustration when greetings don’t happen
Teaching your dog to calmly walk past other dogs, without needing to engage, creates better manners and far more enjoyable walks.
4. It Protects Your Dog’s Health
Not every dog you meet is:
- Vaccinated
- Parasite-free
- Feeling well
Close contact increases the risk of kennel cough, parvovirus, fleas, and ticks. Keeping respectful distance is a simple way to protect your dog’s health, especially for puppies, seniors, and immune-compromised pets.
5. It Respects Other Dogs and Their Humans
Some dogs are:
- In training
- Recovering from injury or surgery
- Newly adopted
- Working through past trauma
- Or simply not social butterflies
Giving space isn’t rude, it’s responsible. And it makes shared footpaths, parks, and trails far more relaxed for everyone.
Understanding Canine Body Language (Before It Escalates)
Dogs rarely go straight to snapping. They communicate discomfort long before that, we just need to know what to look for.
Common stress signals include:
- Lip licking
- Turning the head away
- Whale eye (showing the whites of the eyes)
- Stiff posture
- Tucked tail
When these signals are missed or ignored, dogs are forced to “shout” instead, often through behaviours we label as reactivity or aggression.
Learn more about Dog Body Language
What About Socialisation?
This is where well-meaning advice often gets misunderstood.
Socialisation does not mean greeting every dog.
Healthy socialisation looks like:
- Calm exposure without pressure
- Learning to ignore other dogs
- Structured environments like training classes or supervised playdates
Many truly well-socialised dogs are very neutral around others, and that’s a good thing. Read more about Dog Socialisation Tips for Calm, Confident Dogs
How to Stop Other Dogs Approaching Yours
Even when you’re doing everything right, it still happens. Here’s how to handle it calmly and confidently:
- Stay calm, your dog mirrors your nervous system
- Use clear verbal cues: “Please call your dog”
- Create a body block between dogs
- Shorten the leash slightly (without adding tension)
- Move away if needed, distance is success, not failure
Advocating for your dog isn’t overreacting. It’s good dog parenting.
Supporting Anxious Dogs Beyond Training
Training and management are essential, but anxious dogs often need internal nervous system support as well.
That’s where PetWell CALM Stress Support fits in naturally.
CALM is:
- Formulated by an animal naturopath and reviewed by vets
- Made with human-grade ingredients
- Naturally rich in calming compounds from chamomile, green tea, ashwagandha, goat’s milk and more.
- Available as both a supplement and functional treats
- Suitable for dogs and cats
Used alongside training, CALM helps support emotional balance and stress response, making it easier for dogs to stay regulated during walks, exposure, and learning moments.
No sedation. No quick fixes. Just gentle, consistent support.
In Summary
Letting dogs approach each other on walks may seem friendly, but it often creates stress, reactivity, and risk.
Choosing space:
- Prevents fights
- Reduces anxiety
- Builds better behaviour
- Respects other dogs
- Creates calmer, happier walks
The goal isn’t social, it’s safe, calm, and confident.
And when your dog feels supported both externally (training, boundaries) and internally (nervous system support), everything starts to feel a little easier, for both ends of the leash.
Want Calmer Walks?
Explore PetWell’s CALM supplements and functional treats, or dive into our behaviour and training guides to support your dog from the inside out.
FAQ's
Is it bad to let dogs meet on leash?
Yes. On-leash greetings can increase anxiety and frustration because dogs feel restricted and unable to move away naturally. This can lead to reactivity, barking, lunging, or fights.
Why do dogs react when other dogs approach them?
Dogs may react due to fear, past trauma, over-arousal, or feeling trapped on a leash. Many reactive dogs are not aggressive, they are overwhelmed and communicating discomfort.
Should friendly dogs still avoid greeting other dogs?
Yes. Even friendly dogs can unintentionally trigger fearful or reactive dogs. Teaching calm neutrality around other dogs is safer than allowing frequent greetings.
How should dogs socialise safely?
Dogs socialise best in controlled environments such as training classes, structured playdates, or supervised off-leash areas. Socialisation also includes learning to calmly ignore other dogs.
What should I do if another dog approaches my dog?
Stay calm, shorten the leash slightly, place your body between the dogs, and ask the other owner to recall their dog. If needed, calmly move away to create distance.
Can anxiety supplements help reactive dogs on walks?
Yes. When used alongside training, calming supplements can help support a dog’s nervous system, making it easier for them to stay calm and responsive during walks and exposure training.
Disclaimer: The entire contents of PetWell emails and website are not to be taken as medical advice. The team at Pet Squad Pty Ltd trading as PetWell encourages you to make your own pet health care decisions based on your research and in partnership with a qualified pet healthcare professional.
This article was prepared by the team at PetWell. Australia’s trusted provider of natural, human-grade pet supplements and freeze-dried treats for dogs and cats. Drawing on holistic animal behaviour insights and years of working with canine clients, PetWell champions kind, calm and scientifically informed solutions for every pet parent.
Posted By Ayda Hornak - Trained in Canine Psychology and Natural Animal Nutrition Care
