Alan Peiro’s reported advice is not to routinely pick up your dog just because another dog is nearby—but that does not mean every dog should greet every stranger. PerthNow’s Troy de Ruyter reported on 18 August 2025 that Peiro made the point on the Branni Podcast; the report’s account of the podcast has not been independently verified here. Your dog’s comfort, the other dog’s behavior and whether you can safely disengage matter more than a blanket rule.
What Alan Peiro reportedly advises
PerthNow reported that Peiro advised owners not to routinely lift their dog when another dog is nearby. As quoted in that report and attributed to the Branni Podcast, he said, “Dogs are not children,” and argued that picking a dog up can communicate fear and prevent social interaction. The report also quotes him urging owners to use judgment and ask, “Does your dog get on well with other dogs?” PerthNow’s report is the source for these statements; it does not establish that lifting a dog is always harmful or that every dog should be allowed to greet.
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Should you let the dogs greet?
No—not by default. Socialization is not simply putting dogs together and hoping they get along. Megan E. Maxwell, CAAB, writing for the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), says “proper socialization involves more than simply putting puppies into situations where they encounter these things.” Her guidance emphasizes safe, graded experiences that take account of the individual dog’s responses.
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Before allowing an approach, consider the situation as a whole:
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- Your dog’s history and signals: Does your dog usually enjoy meeting dogs, or have past encounters left them uneasy? Watch for stiffness, hard staring, visible discomfort, snapping or other signs that the interaction is unwelcome. AVSAB’s guide to canine facial expressions and body postures can help owners interpret body language.
- The approaching dog: Is the dog known to be comfortable around other dogs? If you do not know, ask the handler rather than assuming a greeting is welcome.
- Space and control: Can both handlers keep enough distance, and can either dog move away? A voluntary, controlled interaction is different from a close approach neither dog can escape.
- What happens during the approach: If either dog appears uncomfortable, increase distance and end the interaction instead of pressing on.
Forcing an encounter can overwhelm a dog. AVSAB-hosted guidance recommends exposure that is graded to the individual dog; overwhelming experiences can increase fear or aggressive responses. See Maxwell’s article on socialization beyond mere exposure.
What if your dog is fearful or reactive?
Prioritize space and prevent unwanted close approaches while you work on the underlying behavior. Zazie Todd, PhD, in AVSAB-hosted guidance on fearful dogs, describes management strategies such as avoiding likely triggers and keeping distance. She writes, “In the case of a fearful dog, management is unlikely to be the whole solution.” That guidance does not specifically address carrying a dog; it supports distance and trigger management as general strategies, not a universal rule for whether to pick a dog up.
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Use reward-based training at a pace your dog can handle. Todd’s fearful-dog management guidance discusses valued treats in positive reinforcement and counter-conditioning. If your dog’s anxiety is serious or their behavior changes suddenly, speak with a veterinarian; they can help assess whether health or behavior support is needed.
When lifting your dog may be a situational safety choice
Peiro’s reported warning is against making pickup the routine response simply because another dog is present. It is not a comprehensive rule for emergencies or every individual dog. A dog’s size, medical needs, behavior and the immediate safety situation can all matter. The cited AVSAB guidance supports individual assessment, safe exposure and management, but does not determine whether lifting is appropriate in every circumstance.
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If you do lift your dog to prevent an immediate unsafe encounter, focus on creating space and leaving calmly rather than treating the moment as a greeting. For ordinary walks, the more useful question is whether both dogs are comfortable and able to disengage—not whether they must interact.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to handle an approaching dog on a walk
- Pause and assess. Notice your dog’s body language and whether the other dog appears controlled. Do not assume that proximity means an invitation.
- Ask the other handler. Find out whether their dog is comfortable meeting dogs. If either dog is uncertain, skip the greeting.
- Keep distance when needed. Move away or create space if your dog shows discomfort or cannot comfortably disengage.
- Allow only a voluntary, controlled interaction. Keep watching both dogs and end the encounter if either appears uncomfortable.
- Seek help for persistent fear or sudden changes. A veterinarian can advise on next steps, including appropriate behavior support.
AVSAB’s public position statements and handouts state that its humane dog-training position remains the 2021 statement. Its guidance favors humane, reward-based approaches; it does not make routine greetings a requirement of responsible dog ownership.
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