To introduce dogs on walks, start with parallel walking at a distance in a neutral area, gradually decreasing space as they stay calm, then allow brief, loose-leash sniff greetings (the "three-second rule") before calling them away with praise and treats to keep the interaction positive and controlled, watching body language for stress. The key is to maintain loose leashes, avoid face-to-face approaches, and end on a high note.
Start the introduction with a series of parallel walks. Walk each dog in the same direction with approximately ten (10) to twenty (20) feet between them. When the dogs look at each other, reward the dogs for calm body language and behavior with praise and bits of the yummy treat.
Let me introduce you to the 10 , 10, 10 rule of potty training. That's cycles of 10 minutes in the yard, 10 feet of potty area in the yard, 10 minutes of supervision. It all adds up to potty training with minimal errors, even for harder to train dogs who may be struggling with other methods.
THIS IS IMPORTANT! The five second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for five seconds, it is TOO HOT to walk for your dogs.
Here's what NOT to do: Do not hold either dog in your arms during the introduction, as this may make them feel trapped or threatened. Do not put the dogs in small spaces together until they are completely comfortable with each other. Each dog should have their own food bowl, crate, and toys.
Behaviors that are more concerning include stiffness in the body, standing tall, ears pricked forward, growling, hard direct eye contact, stiff/raised/fast-wagging tails, lunging on the leash, and aggressive barking. If you see these warning signs, stop your approach and do not have your dogs meet at this time.
The 10 minute rule means that for every hour of playtime, dogs should have a 10-minute break. This break helps them cool down and rest. In a dog boarding setting, this rule is crucial. Dogs have different energy levels, and some may get tired faster than others.
The Most Difficult Commands to Teach Dogs
The bottom line
Most adult dogs can hold their pee for about 8 hours if necessary. But it's best to give dogs bathroom breaks about every 4 hours if possible. Providing regular opportunities for your dog to pee instead of asking them to hold their pee for long periods is important to their health.
Every pup should know the 7 Basic Common commands: SIT, STAY, DOWN, COME, OFF, HEEL, and NO.
As your puppy gets older gradually increase the total amount of time you leave them alone. Adult dogs are generally okay on their own for 4-6 hours a day. But, many dogs are good at adapting to being alone for 8-9 hours while you are at work if they are provided with enough space to comfortably move around.
At some point, the dogs should become calmer, and you can proceed with your walk. What you are looking for is relaxed and confident behavior. Neither dog should be overly aroused, nervous, stiff, or fearful. Keep in mind that it can take more than one walk to see this relaxed behavior.
Signs can include growling, baring teeth, snapping, and biting. These behaviors could stem from fear, territorial instincts, protection, or past trauma. Ignoring aggression can lead to dangerous situations for both your dog and others.
How do they do this? It's biological. All animals have circadian rhythms - physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle, responding to light and darkness in the environment. They may also be affected by factors like temperature and social cues.
Fortunately for us, dogs do not understand they are being put to sleep. They may behave differently at this time generally because they feed off the emotions of their closest humans, who are understandably destraught. Plus they also getting all of this extra attention so they probably wonder what is going on!
I like to go by the general 2:1 rule. So for every 1 hour of supervised and structured time out of the crate (mini 5 minutes training sessions alternated with walks and play), they should have 2 hours of rest in the crate. And this 2 hour rest can be crashed out sleeping or simply calm and awake.
Small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians generally require less exercise: 15 to 30 minutes daily: Shorter walks are sufficient, often split into two sessions. These breeds can tire quickly due to their small size.
As a general rule, your dog should never be left alone for more than four hours at a time. However, this will greatly depend on your dog, their age, breed and how they cope with being on their own in the house. Some may struggle being away from their owners for this long and others will be unphased.
"Red Flags":
This is especially problematic if it is associated with growling, stiffening of body postures, or a snarling display of teeth. These behaviors indicate fear or pain and should be evaluated to make sure there is not a major underlying problem.
Things Not to Do with Dog Introductions
Introduce dogs off leash: Dogs should be on a loose leash. Don't pull or keep the leash taught, but it's important to have a means of restraint, just in case. Introduce dogs face to face: Pointing two dogs at each other face to face sets a confrontational tone.
It can be just milliseconds between a warning and a bite, but dogs rarely bite without giving some type of warning beforehand.