06/20/2026
πͺ Letting your dog 'say hi' to every dog on a walk isn't socialization β it's rehearsal.
Here's a truth that surprises a lot of dog owners:
Allowing your dog to pull toward and greet every dog they see on leash is actually teaching reactivity β not preventing it.
Real socialization is calm, controlled exposure. It's teaching your dog that other dogs simply exist in the world and don't require a reaction.
A dog who can walk past another dog without losing their mind? That's a trained skill. And it starts on leash, with you in control of the experience.
Want to know how to build that?
Drop a πΎ in the comments.