Here’s the scenario. I am taking both of my dogs to the Grooming Salon. As we pull into the parking lot, it is clear that Everest recognizes where we are. He is not happy. Reluctantly, both Hemi and Everest follow me inside the building and into the very small waiting room. The groomer takes Hemi into the back first. Everest is now getting anxious as he knows he is next. Even though he is well behaved at the Grooming Salon it doesn’t mean that he likes it.
A lady and her Chihuahua enter the building. She sees
Everest and decides to pick up her dog before coming into the teeny tiny waiting room. Everest is not showing too much interest in meeting this dog (it’s called avoidance). He is air sniffing, but probably more concerned about being at the Salon than worrying about his social life.
What happens next is a shocking reminder that there is the need to get a message out there. Chihuahua lady (sorry, I didn’t have time to get her name) approaches us and bends down to place her dog in my dog’s face. Freeze frame.
What is she thinking? Probably something like: ”Oh, he seems like a good dog. This could be a new friend for my dog. Here you go Chihuahua: a Friend!”
What is Everest thinking? The doggy version of ”Hey, I’m trying to mind my own business over here. Why is this strange dog and his owner looming over me? Is she really going to put that dog in my face? Can’t they see that I’m backed into a corner, not happy and getting more and more anxious? Where are his legs, by the way?”
What is the Chihuahua thinking? ”I am trapped! I am forced into a strange dog’s face who obviously has no interest in meeting me. I know I’m cute, but I may be forced to bite since I have NO OTHER OPTIONS, unless I just go limp and play dead.”
What was I thinking? I didn’t sit back and wait for this to play out. I instantly recognized that this could turn into a bad situation, so I told Chihuahua Lady ”That’s really not a good idea”. She backed up right away, obviously thinking that my dog was aggressive. I told her he wasn’t, and she actually took a step closer to us. I really wanted her to understand WHY it wasn’t a good idea. I explained that not only do the dogs NOT know each other, mine is not comfortable being here, which increases the risk of the meeting not going well. I also explained how in doggy language, direct nose to nose greeting is not a good idea, especially when it is forced.
I think she thought I was overreacting, and perhaps rude. Perhaps, as she learns more about dogs and their behaviour she will recognize that any potential unwanted situation between the dogs was averted. She will also realize that her attempting to put her dog in my dog’s face was rude. And, if the stars are aligned, she may have the insight to see that since Everest was not going to eloquently as her to back off, I had to step in quickly with a clear message.
If you are reading this blog quickly and just want to get to the BOTTOM LINE. Here it is. Please read carefully:
1. Do not pick up your dog and put it in another dog’s face, especially if the dog is a stranger to you.
2. Do not, while holding your dog and putting it in a dog’s face, bend down and also put your face in the stranger’s dog’s face. This is called looming and dog’s find it very threatening.
3. Do not do #1. and # 2., particularly when a dog is backed into a corner, in a stressful environment.
4. If you are tempted to do #1 or #2, you should at the very least ask the dog’s owner if it is friendly and if your dogs can meet. Even after doing that, do not expect things to go well.