Episode 22: Dog Introductions - You’re Doing Too Much

If introducing your dog to other dogs feels stressful… you’re probably doing too much. In this episode of Love ’Em & Lead ’Em, we break down how to properly introduce dogs to dogs and dogs to cats—and why most people are overcomplicating both. We cover: How to introduce dogs without creating tension, chaos, or fights Why on-leash greetings with random dogs are a bad idea The step-by-step method we use at camp to build calm, neutral interactions How to safely bring a dog into a home with cats (or a cat into your dog’s world) And yes… we’re giving cats the credit they deserve: Why cats are not fragile little house pets—they’re apex predators with boundaries Why “the best dog trainer might actually be a cat” How cats naturally correct dogs better (and faster) than most humans We also talk about what socialization actually means (hint: your dog doesn’t need more friends), and how bad introductions can create long-term behavior issues. The big takeaway? The more pressure, emotion, and chaos you bring into introductions… the worse they go. Keep it simple. Stay in control. And stop doing so much.