Not all dogs want to be approached by strangers. If you’ve ever said, “It’s okay … I’m a dog person!” in response to an owner’s warning that their dog prefers to be left alone, this article is for you.
When we traveled with Ty and Buster, we were often approached by people who want to meet the dogs. When I’d tell them that Ty was afraid of strangers and preferred to be admired from afar we’d often hear, “That’s okay, I’m a dog person!” The person would then proceed to ignore Ty body language and forget all the etiquette for how to greet a dog.
Even people with the best intentions make mistakes when greeting dogs they don’t know. Keep these tips in mind, and you’re likely to have a lot more furry friends.
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When shes not geeking out about dogs, you can find her reading, hiking with her two Cardigan Welsh Corgis, or paddleboarding.
Cathy is certified through the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers, holding both the CPDT-KA and CBCC-KA designations. Cathy is a Fear Free Certified Certified Professional, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers, the Pet Professional Guild, and the Dog Writers Association of America.
As Preventive Vets dog behavior expert and lead trainer at Pupstanding Academy, Cathy focuses on helping humans and their pets build a strong relationship based on trust, clear communication, and the use of positive reinforcement and force-free methods. With over 13 years of experience, she has had the opportunity to work with hundreds of dogs on a wide variety of training and behavior issues. Beyond her one-on-one consultations through Pupstanding Academy, she also teaches group dog training classes at Seattle Humane. Her specialties include dog aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety, and puppy socialization.
Once you’ve gotten permission to greet a dog you don’t know, the next step is to stay reserved and let the dog approach you. Avoid the temptation to invade the dog’s space.
First of all, when you want to greet a dog you don’t know, it’s vital to ask the permission of the dog’s human. Don’t just boldly walk up to a dog and assume that you’re okay to pet them; there are many reasons why that might not be the safest idea.
It’s happened to all dog lovers. You’re out and about, you come across a cute looking dog, and you just want to go and say hello! But do you know the correct and safe way to approach the dog?
Remember, if a dog appears reserved and doesn’t seem to want to come and greet you, respect their decision and move on.
It’s also just common courtesy to ask the dog’s parent if you can pet their dog.
How-to approach a dog you don’t know
It’s happened to all dog lovers. You’re out and about, you come across a cute looking dog, and you just want to go and say hello! But do you know the correct and safe way to approach the dog?
If you don’t greet a new dog in the correct way, you might risk inadvertently distressing the dog or causing them to react aggressively towards you.
First of all, when you want to greet a dog you don’t know, it’s vital to ask the permission of the dog’s human. Don’t just boldly walk up to a dog and assume that you’re okay to pet them; there are many reasons why that might not be the safest idea.
Some dogs are not friendly to strangers, and some are still in training. You won’t be helping the dog by abruptly approaching while they’re trying to stay calm or learn.
It’s also just common courtesy to ask the dog’s parent if you can pet their dog.
Once you’ve gotten permission to greet a dog you don’t know, the next step is to stay reserved and let the dog approach you. Avoid the temptation to invade the dog’s space.
Remember, if a dog appears reserved and doesn’t seem to want to come and greet you, respect their decision and move on.
When a dog approaches and shows that they’re ready to greet you, there are some simple physical steps you can take to make the interaction as calm and friendly as possible.