PAWS Atlanta: Dog-Dog Introductions at the Shelter

A general outline of how shelter introductions typically progress. Individual dogs may have different needs. Please see MarLee for guidance if you have any questions or concerns about a particular dog.

Supplies

  • Leashes

  • Treats/treat pouches

  • (optional) squeak toys

  • (for emergency use) SprayShield Animal Deterrent

Prep

When possible, allow shelter dogs 5-10 minutes of individual off-leash decompression time. This is especially helpful prior to foster/adoption appointments.

Before dragline play, make sure all toys are removed from the off-leash area.

Stages

1.     Parallel Walk

  • One human handler per dog. Start at a distance that allows the dogs to calmly observe each other. Reward the dogs for desirable behavior like checking in with their handler, responding to their names and walking on slack leashes.

  • Gradually reduce distance until the dogs are calmly and comfortably walking within a few feet of each other.

  • If at any point either dog becomes highly aroused and/or exhibits concerning behavior (ex: avoidance, tense/stiff body posture, hard staring, growling, barking/lunging), increase distance. If this continues to happen regardless of distance, stop the introduction. See MarLee for guidance.

2.   Protected Contact Greetings

  • One dog on either side of a chain-link fence for safety.

  • Parallel approaches. Avoid direct, head-on meetings.

  • 3-second rule. Keep leashes slack during greetings.

  • Each handler should CALL their dog (or squeak) and reward them for coming when called. DO NOT use leash pressure unless absolutely necessary.

  • Repeat 1-2 times, provided both dogs are interested and exhibit social behavior (see “Important” section).

3.   Semi-Protected Contact Greetings

  • Leash greetings without a fence.

  • Parallel approaches. Avoid direct, head-on meetings.

  • 3-second rule. Keep leashes slack during greetings.

  • Each handler should CALL their dog (or squeak) and reward them for coming when called. DO NOT use leash pressure unless absolutely necessary.

  • Repeat 1-2 times, provided both dogs are interested and exhibit social behavior (see “Important” section).

4.  Dragline Play

  • Drop leashes. Give the dogs space to interact.

  • Supervise play, interrupting as needed (See “Important” section).

  • To interrupt, each handler should CALL their dog (or squeak) and reward them for coming when called.

  • If the dogs do not respond when called, pick up the draglines and walk the dogs in opposite directions. Keep the dogs separated until they are calm and responsive to their handlers.

  • If you are unsure whether both dogs are enjoying the interaction, perform a “consent test”:

    • Pick up and hold the leash of the most confident/interested dog. If the other dog willingly chooses to approach and re-engage, they are saying “Yes.” If they keep their distance, they are saying “No.”

IMPORTANT

Never force an interaction. Only progress to the next stage if BOTH DOGS are interested and consistently exhibit social behavior. There is no harm in taking it slow, but there can be harm in rushing. Always go at the most uncertain/least interested dog’s pace.

Social behavior to look for:

  • Sniffing without body tension

  • Relaxed body posture with loose musculature

  • Open, relaxed mouths

  • Wide, loose tail wagging (Tail wagging alone does not indicate social behavior. How the tail wags is important, as is the overall body posture.)

  • Bouncy movements

  • During play:

    • Mutually enjoyable interactions

    • Role reversals

    • Air space between mouths

    • Frequent pauses and breaks

    • Self-handicapping

Concerning behavior to look for:

  • Prolonged freezing

  • Hard staring

  • Closed, tense mouths

  • Straight, rigid spine and stiff legs

  • High, flagging tails

  • Dog placing their head over the shoulder or back of the other

  • Dog placing their paw over the shoulder or back of the other

  • Mounting

  • During play:

    • One dog avoiding the other

    • Lack of role reversals

    • Grabbing, holding, and pulling on skin

    • Increasingly aroused interactions with no breaks

    • One dog overwhelming the other

 

EXCEPTIONS to the Rules

  • If we have reliable information that BOTH DOGS have lived with and/or enjoyed playing with other dogs, you may choose to skip the parallel walk and fence greeting and go directly to a leash greeting.

  • If a dog typically whines, barks and/or lunges when seeing other dogs on-leash, parallel walking may increase their frustration. Try starting with a fence greeting instead (if using a chain-link pen, the leash reactive dog should be on the outside), then proceed to a leash greeting. Remember to keep the leashes slack while the dogs greet.

  • If a dog has a history of barking, growling, lunging, or air-snapping at dogs behind a fence/in their kennel but they are relaxed on-leash, skip the fence greeting.

  • If you are still concerned about the safety of a leash greeting, try a fence greeting with the fence-frustrated dog on the outside of a chain-link pen. Remember to keep the greetings brief (3 seconds or less).

  • If you are unsure how to begin with a specific dog, please see MarLee for help!

Future Play Dates

If BOTH DOGS exhibit social behavior for the duration of their first play session, you do not need to repeat this process for each follow-up date. Remember that shelter behavior is fluid, so do not rely solely on past interactions. Always observe body language and make any necessary adjustments.