Calm Hellos. Clear Boundaries. Confident Dogs.
Proper Greetings Is A Community-Style Event Focused On Teaching Dogs How To Greet Politely—And Just As Importantly, When Not To Greet At All. Not Every Dog Wants To Say Hello, And Polite Behavior Includes The Ability To Pause, Observe, And Disengage Calmly.
In This Class, Greetings Are Treated As An Option, Not An Expectation. Dogs Learn That Access Is Earned Through Calm Behavior, And Choosing Not To Greet Is Reinforced As A Successful Outcome. A Dog That Can Choose Not To Greet And Stay Regulated Is Demonstrating Real Skill—And That’s A Win! Owners Learn How To Support Appropriate Introductions While Confidently Advocating For Space When Their Dog Needs It.
This Approach Creates Safer Interactions, Reduces Over-Arousal, And Builds Emotional Regulation In Real-World Environments.
Why Proper Greetings Matter
Greeting behavior sets the tone for every interaction. Teaching dogs how to approach calmly—and how to step away when needed—creates safer experiences, better public manners, and more confident dogs.
These skills directly support success in Stay & Settle Social, Paws & Pints, pack-style events, and everyday life.
What We’ll Work On
Greeting people without jumping or rushing
Polite dog-to-dog introductions (when appropriate)
Leash handling and positioning during greetings
Teaching dogs to disengage and refocus
Handler advocacy and reading body language
Who This Is For
Dogs who get overly excited during greetings
Dogs who pull, jump, or vocalize when meeting people or dogs
Owners who want safer, calmer interactions in public
Friendly or neutral dogs working on self-control