For many dog guardians, meeting another dog on a walk seems like it should be a happy moment — wagging tails, playful sniffing, instant friendship. But just as often, it turns into barking, lunging, growling, or stiff, tense body language. What’s going on?
The truth is that many dogs find greetings with unfamiliar dogs stressful, and that stress can easily spill over into what looks like aggression. Here’s why — and what you can do to help your dog handle social encounters calmly and safely.
1. Dog Social Skills Are Complex
Dogs don’t all “speak the same language”. Some are highly social and love to meet new dogs; others prefer to keep their distance. Breed tendencies, early socialisation, and past experiences all shape how a dog reacts to new encounters.
When two dogs with different communication styles meet — for example, a bouncy Labrador and a reserved Shiba Inu — misunderstandings can quickly arise. One dog’s playful excitement might feel like rude or threatening behaviour to the other.
2. On-Lead Greetings Create Tension
In nature, dogs approach one another in wide arcs, using subtle body language to gauge intent. On a lead, they can’t do that. Tight leads restrict movement, prevent natural communication, and increase frustration.
If a dog feels trapped or forced into a face-to-face greeting, stress hormones rise. Barking, lunging, or snapping may follow — not because the dog is “aggressive”, but because they’re trying to protect themselves in a situation that feels unsafe.
3. Past Negative Experiences Stick
A single bad encounter — a scuffle at the park or an overly rough greeting — can make a dog wary of future meetings. Dogs have excellent associative memories, so they quickly learn, “New dogs = possible danger.”
Over time, this anticipation of conflict can become a self-fulfilling cycle: the dog tenses up when seeing another dog, the tension triggers an aggressive display, and that behaviour confirms their fear.
4. Stress Often Looks Like Aggression
It’s easy to mistake defensive behaviour for aggression. Signs of stress include:
- Stiff posture or frozen body
- Lip licking or yawning
- Turning the head away
- Low growling or barking while backing away
These are communication signals — a dog’s way of saying, “I’m uncomfortable.” If those signals are ignored, the dog may escalate to more overt displays such as lunging or snapping.
5. How to Help Your Dog Feel More Comfortable
You can reduce stress and prevent aggressive reactions by managing greetings thoughtfully:
- Avoid on-lead greetings when possible. Let dogs get to know each other through parallel walks or at a distance.
- Watch body language — if either dog looks tense, don’t force interaction.
- Build positive associations by rewarding calm behaviour around other dogs.
- Seek guidance from a qualified behaviourist or trainer if your dog frequently reacts with fear or aggression.
The Takeaway
Aggressive displays between dogs often stem from stress, fear, or confusion — not dominance or “bad behaviour”. By understanding how dogs communicate and giving them space to feel safe, you can prevent conflict and help your dog enjoy more peaceful social experiences.
Space and proximity play a huge role in how comfortable a dog feels. Allowing your dog to watch and observe other dogs from a comfortable distance helps them process the situation calmly. Dogs are natural hesitant observers — they prefer to learn about their environment quietly and gradually. Respecting that need for space gives them confidence, reduces stress, and supports healthier, more relaxed interactions over time.
Any questions or thoughts get in touch at ian@justbemore.dog or http://justbemore.dog
Hope you enjoy the read. Ian
