Dog Trainer Reveals The One Greeting Mistake You Need To Avoid

When it comes to behavioral tips, every dog owner has an opinion on the do's and don'ts, including the experts. For example, Steve Del Savio, a dog psychology expert and trainer, shared on TikTok how he greets his dogs when he comes home. Contrary to what many pet parents would expect, his video shows him "greeting" his dogs by essentially ignoring them; he avoids making eye contact, speaking to them, and touching them.

"I want my dogs to be balanced dogs and not make such a big deal about humans entering the door," Del Savio explains in the video. Because he prefers that his dogs remain calm every time he or anyone else enters his home, he demonstrates the behavior he wants them to mimic: calmness.

Dogs sometimes match the energy that their owners exude, or they'll change their energy if their owners don't match theirs. If you get excited about something, your canine will likely perk up, too. If they're already animated and begging for your attention, but you don't reciprocate, they'll eventually settle down. Although the social media-famous trainer's video didn't receive many positive responses, his approach does offer some benefits, as other dog experts have noted.

You might be reading this as a pet parent who prefers to greet your dog with hugs and kisses, but there are benefits of the calm greeting technique worth considering. Sometimes canines respond in unwanted ways when they're excited. By training them to contain their elation, you could prevent accidents involving yourself and your guests.

For example, you might have a 90-pound Saint Bernard that jumps up on your chest every time you come home. This might not seem like a big deal if you're able to catch or redirect their paws. However, if you're distracted or carrying something, your pup could end up scratching you or knocking down the item in your hands. Or worse, your guests might be accidentally injured or caught off guard by a big, happy, jumping canine upon their entrance into your home.

Del Savio's stance is that training your dog to greet politely when someone walks through the door can prevent unwanted behaviors like jumping and excessive barking. He adds that you can still greet your pup and show them affection, but only after they've calmed down.

Although Del Savio's approach to greeting offers some benefits, not everyone is convinced of its effectiveness. After all, how can you ignore dogs who are so ridiculously happy to see you? Some pet parents on TikTok responded to Del Savio's video by saying that only truly loving dog parents greet their dogs by petting and speaking joyfully to them. Others called his method "too serious" and "cold-hearted." Many said they look forward to being enthusiastically greeted by their four-legged friends and wouldn't want to deprive their pooches of the experience.

Despite the overwhelming criticism of Del Savio's opinion, some dog parents support or at least offer understanding of the reasoning behind his greeting technique. Mikkel Becker, a training consultant, echoed his sentiment in a video for Vetstreet, calling it a mistake to "meet your dog's enthusiasm by letting out a chorus of praise." She suggests containing your joy to help them control themselves.

Renowned dog trainer and host of various dog-related television shows Cesar Millan shared tips on Facebook that also align with Del Savio's. He said the right way to greet a dog is to avoid interacting with them until they calm down. He also echoed the "no touch, no talk, no eye contact" advice with the claim that this approach will result in a "better dog."