Why Pup Scouts Doesn’t Do On-Leash Dog Greetings in Annapolis

If you’ve seen Pup Scouts walkers in downtown Annapolis, Eastport, or Homewood, you may have noticed something unusual: we never let dogs greet each other on leash—even if they seem friendly.

To some, it might look strict. But to trained handlers, it’s one of the most important rules for long-term behavioral success.

Here’s why we avoid on-leash greetings during every walk—and why Annapolis dog parents are starting to follow suit.

The Myth: “My Dog Is Friendly, So It’s Fine”

Being friendly doesn’t mean a dog is socially appropriate. In fact, many leash-based issues start with well-meaning greetings gone wrong.

Common patterns we see:

❌ Excitable pulling toward every dog = reinforced arousal

❌ Barking when prevented from greeting = frustration-based reactivity

❌ Tense greetings = miscommunication, fights, or fear imprinting

Even one unpredictable interaction can undo weeks of behavioral progress.

The Reality: On-Leash Greetings Are High-Risk, Low-Reward

Dogs rely heavily on body language—posture, motion, space—to communicate. Leashes interfere with that.

Problems with on-leash greetings:

• Dogs can’t move away if they feel uncomfortable

• Tension in the leash signals threat or confusion

• Owners often allow “face-to-face” approaches, which are confrontational in dog body language

• Humans misread wagging tails or sniffing as consent to interact

In short: the leash traps dogs in an unnatural interaction they can’t navigate safely.

Why It Matters in Annapolis

From City Dock to the B&A Trail, Annapolis has tons of walkable routes—and just as many dogs on those routes. That density means one reactive moment can escalate quickly.

At Pup Scouts, we walk dogs in:

• Matched packs that don’t interact

• Structured private walks with calm exposure

• Routes where handlers manage distance proactively

This trains dogs to be neutral—not social—around other dogs. And neutrality is the foundation of public reliability.

What We Teach Instead

We reinforce “see a dog = stay calm and keep moving” behavior. That helps reduce:

• Leash reactivity

• Barrier frustration

• Hyperfocus on every dog they see

• Inappropriate social pressure

The result? A dog who can walk calmly in downtown Annapolis without barking, lunging, or demanding interaction.

Want a Dog That Can Ignore Distractions (Not Chase Them)?

Pup Scouts is more than a walking service—we’re your dog’s behavioral support team. Whether you’re in West Annapolis, Murray Hill, or Eastport, our walkers follow the same structure-focused rules that promote calm, focused walking.

🎯 Book your consultation

Sometimes the most respectful thing we can do for dogs… is help them not meet.