What should dogs do if they get excited when they see unfamiliar dogs

When we joyfully take our dog for a walk, we expect a relaxed and enjoyable time, but when the dog sees a stranger, it instantly changes its appearance and becomes so excited that it is difficult to control itself. It jumps up and down, pulling the traction rope and rushing forward with all its might, while making urgent calls from its mouth. This scene makes us both embarrassed and worried. What should dogs do if they get excited when they see unfamiliar dogs? In fact, there are many complex reasons behind this, and we also have ways to help dogs improve this situation.

From the nature of dogs, they are inherently social animals. In the wild, group living is the norm, and communication and interaction with peers are crucial for them. So, when they see unfamiliar dogs, their social instincts are instantly ignited, and their inner desire to play and communicate with each other is expressed through excited behavior. Some dogs have lively and cheerful personalities, full of curiosity about the world. When they meet new partners, they can't wait to get to know them, and their excitement is beyond words. Some dogs, possibly due to being alone at home for a long time and lacking social activities, will release their accumulated enthusiasm when they finally have the opportunity to interact with other dogs.

But sometimes the excessive excitement of dogs is not just pure excitement. Perhaps deep down, it feels uneasy or scared. The scent, appearance, and behavior of unfamiliar dogs are all unknown to them, and the unknown often triggers fear. In order to conceal this fear, the dog armed itself with seemingly excited behavior, trying to make the other person feel strong and protect itself from potential threats. In this case, the excitement of a dog may be accompanied by subtle movements such as body tightness, tail pinching, and ear sticking, but it is easily overlooked by its seemingly enthusiastic appearance.

Territorial awareness is also an important factor that can make dogs excited when they see unfamiliar dogs. In a dog's cognition, wherever it goes, it may be seen as its own territory. When a strange dog intrudes into this' territory ', it will feel that its space has been violated, and instinctively, it will warn the other party through excited behavior and declare sovereignty. It may bark loudly, lean forward, and assume a ready to fight posture, trying to drive away intruders.

In the face of dogs getting excited when they see unfamiliar dogs, we can take a series of measures to help them. Firstly, social training is essential. In the early stages of a dog's life, it is important to expose it to different types of dogs, starting with gentle and friendly small breeds and gradually increasing the diversity of contact. Take it to dog parks, pet gatherings, and other places to interact and play with other dogs in a safe and controlled environment. At the beginning of contact, it is important to control the time and distance to avoid the dog feeling too stressed. If a dog shows excitement, do not forcefully stop it, but slowly guide it to calm down, such as gently soothing it, speaking to it in a gentle tone, and making it feel your company and support.

In daily life, we should pay attention to cultivating dogs' obedience. Teach it some basic instructions, such as "sit down", "wait", "come over", etc. When a dog gets excited when it sees a strange dog, we can redirect its attention from the unfamiliar dog to us by giving these commands. Once the dog follows instructions, rewards should be given promptly, which can be delicious snacks or enthusiastic compliments and touches, to reinforce its correct behavior. By persisting in such training for a long time, dogs will gradually understand that following their owner's instructions can bring benefits, and they will be more willing to follow our guidance when encountering unfamiliar dogs.

Reasonable use of traction ropes is also crucial. A leash not only ensures the safety of dogs and prevents them from getting lost or accidents due to excessive excitement, but also helps us control their behavior. When a dog is excited when it sees a strange dog, do not pull the leash too hard, as this may make it even more nervous and excited. But it is necessary to gently tighten the traction rope, give it a gentle restriction signal, and soothe it with a smooth voice. If the dog's emotions are too excited and difficult to control, you can temporarily take it away from the scene and find a quiet place to calm it down before continuing to move around.

Our own emotions and behaviors can also have a significant impact on dogs. Dogs are very good at capturing their owners' emotional changes. If we show tension or anxiety when they are excited, they will feel this emotion and become even more uneasy and excited. So, when dogs get excited when they see unfamiliar dogs, we should remain calm and respond with a calm attitude. Your calmness will be conveyed to the dog, making it feel at ease and easier to calm down.

Dogs get excited when they see unfamiliar dogs. Although it may cause us some trouble, as long as we patiently understand the reasons behind it and adopt scientific and effective training methods, we can definitely help dogs improve this situation.