Passing is a complete answer
Many owners feel rude when they say no to a greeting. Your dog doesn't owe another dog access. A calm pass protects dogs who are learning, recovering from surgery, easily frightened or simply uninterested that day.
Move to the outer edge of the path and keep walking in a gentle curve. Reward your dog for staying with you. A plain sentence such as "We need space" gives the other handler useful information without starting a debate.
Dogs who learn that every sighting leads to a meeting may begin pulling or barking when access is blocked. Passing some dogs and greeting only by invitation keeps expectations clearer.
Look at both dogs before moving closer
A loose body, soft movement and the ability to turn away are better signs than a wagging tail alone. Pause when either dog becomes still, stares, leans hard into the leash, closes the mouth suddenly, raises the body or tries to hide behind the handler.
Distance matters. A dog who looks comfortable across the street may struggle at the end of a short leash. If either handler tightens the leash and holds the dog in place, end the approach before noses meet.
Dogs who bark or lunge need a different plan. Use the dog directed leash reactivity guide rather than testing a greeting.
A safer way to introduce two dogs
For dogs who may spend time together, a short parallel walk is usually more informative than a head on sidewalk meeting. Begin far enough apart that both dogs can walk and sniff. Keep the dogs moving in the same direction, then reduce distance gradually if both remain comfortable.
The handlers should leave room for turns and avoid winding the leashes together. When the dogs can walk near each other with soft bodies, allow a short curved approach if both handlers want one. Call the dogs away after a second or two, reward the separation and continue walking.
A planned introduction deserves more time than a stranger can offer at a narrow curb. If the setting is crowded or either dog has a history of snapping, arrange professional guidance instead.
How to set up the parallel walk
Use two adult handlers and begin far enough apart that both dogs can walk, sniff, and turn without staring or pulling. Travel in the same direction rather than approaching head on. Reduce distance only while both bodies remain loose, and increase it again at the first sign of freezing, avoidance, hard staring, or mounting arousal.
The walk can end without a greeting. If the dogs may share a home, repeat calm movement in neutral space before deciding whether a closer introduction is appropriate. Parallel walking is an introduction procedure, not evidence that two dogs can safely be left together.
Keep a sidewalk greeting brief
Ask before approaching. Keep the leashes loose and avoid pulling either dog's head toward the other. Let the dogs approach on a curve instead of holding them face to face.
Count a second or two, then invite your dog away in a cheerful voice. Reward the turn and keep moving. Leaving early is easier than waiting for one dog to become trapped or frustrated.
Don't wrap the leash around your hand or allow the lines to twist around legs. Skip the greeting near traffic, stairs, doorways, food, toys or a crowded entrance where there is no clean exit.
Puppies still need choices
Young dogs benefit from safe social experiences, but socialization doesn't mean meeting every dog. A puppy can watch a calm dog at a comfortable distance, walk nearby or pass without contact. Those experiences teach that another dog can appear without turning the walk into a rush toward the leash end.
Use the puppy leash training guide for first walks, freezing, leash biting and early loose leash skills.
When greeting has become the problem
A dog who pulls toward every dog may be excited, frustrated, worried or a mix that changes by context. Stop allowing surprise greetings for now. Practice seeing a dog from a workable distance, checking in with the handler and moving away for a reward.
If your dog can't disengage, screams, growls, snaps or redirects onto the leash or handler, get qualified help. A vet should assess a sudden behavior change or any reaction that appears with pain, illness or reduced movement.
The rule to use on the next walk
Pass unless both handlers actively choose the greeting and both dogs can leave. Keep it short, keep the leashes loose and finish while the bodies still look comfortable.
Greetings go better with a dog who already walks on a loose leash. If pulling is the everyday problem, start with how to stop a dog from pulling on the leash and add greetings later.