Teaching the Approach

Start with a helper standing still. Your dog is on leash at your side. Give the cue "say hi" and walk forward together until the dog can sniff the person's hand. Allow three seconds of sniffing, then call the dog back with "let's go" or their recall word.

The critical skill is the disengage on cue. Approaching is easy — leaving is hard. Practice the departure more than the approach. A dog that can walk up, greet politely, and return to you on cue has a complete greeting skill that works in any public setting.