When Dog Meets the Family
A Dog First Meeting is a very crucial point in a choosing a new dog. As the cliche goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. The dog should appear interested, not frightened, and be willing to be pet by its potential family. Bring the children along and make sure they all react positively. If the dog is snappy, skittish or fearful, he may not be the right choice.
Dog Meets Dog
Most dogs are curious, and even slightly suspicious, of other dogs. You have probably seen a dog have a passive reaction when a human passes by your house, but a dog will usually bark like crazy at another dog. The dog often reacts with fear or anger, and it can be even worse on walks. The trick is to find a neutral territory where the dog can interact with other dogs, like a dog park where canines can run free. There are usually very few fights in this setting because the dogs are united by their common love of frolicking.
You might also try finding find a large open area and have another dog owner with their dog walk past you and your dog. Keep a good space between you, and then they will soon learn the art of greeting through causal sniffing instead of fear or anger.
Dog Meets Human
Most dogs can get too friendly when meeting a stranger. Too often the stranger encourages the dog, and the dog jumps on the stranger. It is up to you as the owner to stop the dog's
behavior, and to heel them on the leash as soon as they attempt it. Cases in which the dog is growling or possibly snapping at anyone requires more extreme intervention, as well as proper anti-aggression training. Applying the method in the above Dog Meet Dog section should help with meeting humans.
Dog Meets Baby
Oftentimes, a new baby is introduced to the family that already includes a dog. Experts agree that bringing the baby's hat or other piece of clothing home from the hospital and letting the dog sniff it may help smooth the transition. Then when the baby is introduced, the dog can simply sniff the baby and recognize the same smell. This can effectively give the dog warning that he or she has someone new to share the floor with.
