Even though you love your dog, sometimes it’s hard to remember that not every person on the planet is a “dog person.” Whether you have a super-friendly pup that wants to run up to every stranger at the park or an aggressive pooch that barks wildly around new people, properly navigating human encounters is important—especially during a global pandemic. “Not everybody has the opportunity to be raised with a dog, so they may not understand that your dog running towards them is a sign of excitement,” says Certified Professional Dog Trainer Siri Zakaras, owner of Life’s Trail Dog Training in Park City, Utah. “Plus, there are cultural difference to consider. In some cultures, dogs are used for working or protection, and in some countries, dogs are not pets. Not everyone understands dogs as well as people who have dogs.”
Given that your dog has likely taken a break from tons of human interaction this year, now is the perfect time to dial in training for when things eventually go back to normal. “Once we get back to socialization and outings, your pet should behave properly when seeing other people,” says Certified Professional Dog Trainer Khara Schuetzner, who owns The Doggie Spot in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and serves as board chair for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). “You don’t want your dog to be dragging you on leash to greet others or barking mad when seeing things that are different.”
How to Train Recall, aka “Come!”
People-loving dog breeds…
