Dog greetings don’t start at the nose-to-nose moment. In this clip, two dogs meet for the first time and we slow down the approach to look at the communication happening before contact.

Part 2 shows the same “no thanks” message in a more active setup. Hazel is standing, moving, and on leash, so her communication looks different: she changes her mind, moves in front of me, looks for support, scans the environment, and eventually circles behind me to keep watch.

Hazel doesn’t bark, pull away, or make a scene. She quietly says “no thanks” to a greeting while sitting with me outside a store — a small moment that shows why subtle communication matters.

A quick chat with a neighbour can be incredibly stressful for a reactive dog— and their guardian. When Lucy and I run into someone on a walk, it’s all about supporting her, preventing reactions and taking mental notes on what happened.

Why “free” isn’t always a functional release, how competing reinforcers affect success, and how intentional breaks—using well-reinforced alternate behaviours—can support duration instead of weakening it.

Lucy is a very social girl, and if she had it her way, she’d greet every single human in Coldwater. Today’s walk is all about helping her understand that not every passerby is an invitation.