10/28/2026
Every trainer has a different approach and opinion on how to handle such social interaction, this is one approach, but it is not mine.
When out with my dogs, should we encounter this type of situation, you will not see me near kneeling, making endless noises and repeating “no,no” while issuing commands they aren’t following (this is not the time nor place to teach “down”) -
Contrary to this approach, I have taught my dogs to take a step back from the heel position which allows me to be in “the lead position“.
They remain standing and quiet while also being comfortable and confident in my ability to handle the situation.
This results in a brief, calm, quiet and non-event before we move on.
To me, and my dogs, this is what leadership is, me controlling the situation, protecting them and keeping the peace, as is my responsibility and obligation.
It is never a situation where I would ask my dogs to “down”; down puts a dog in a defenseless position and can result in them feeling both anxious and not “part of the solution“ which is to act as a calm and unified front, and derails the building of trust.
It’s also not the time nor place to be teaching / reinforcing a down position and if your leadership is in place and your dog trusts you, it’s not necessary to “down” them.
Maybe it is because of the training I do with my dogs and the fact that they trust me that makes my encounters with such dogs as the one in this clip so easy - but it also prevents that other dog from even getting close enough to touch noses or be in my dogs personal space.
My opinion is just that, another trainers opinion on what I wouldn’t recommend people doing, especially because you are putting yourself at risk being down at face level with all of this excited , uncontrolled energy, which can go sideways faster than you can react, and it’s not teaching your dogs how to properly respond since they are obviously ignoring everything coming out of his mouth.
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