Let the dog come to you by remaining calm and positive. Keep your distance until he becomes less concerned.
DO: Call to the dog in a happy voice
Using your happiest, most upbeat voice, call to the dog. If he responds by coming towards you, great! If not, don’t move any closer.
Community Q&ADid you know you can get expert answers for this article?Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHowSearch
Question How can I gain a stray dogs trust? Sheri Williams Certified Dog Trainer Sheri Williams is a Certified Dog Trainer and Behaviorist and the Owner of sheriwilliams.com, a business that specializes in teaching veterans how to turn their dogs into service dogs or emotional support animals to assist with PTSD. Based in the Los Angeles, California metro area, Sheri has over 20 years of dog training experience and also runs a general dog training practice specializing in rehabilitating dogs through positive reinforcement training techniques. She is certified by The Animal Behavior and Training Association. Sheri Williams Certified Dog Trainer Expert Answer Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Make sure you stay calm when you approach the dog, or else it might get fearful or aggressive.
Question What if the dog is territorial. What do I do then? Community Answer Just as the article says. You may want to be careful and just sit a few more feet away from what the article suggests. You will want to go through the steps above, for a time longer. Also, dogs can sense if your afraid, so dont be afraid. If you truly care about the dog, you wont have a problem.
Question Can we call it by names like Sherwood? Community Answer If the dog seems to respond well you can. Over time he would relate that name to you treating him well.
Be patient. You may need to try a variety of methods over a long period of time in order to gain the stray’s trust. Trying to rush the situation can put you and the dog at risk. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If the dog runs away every time you approach, let them go. It takes time to build trust and some dogs may never get there. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Do not push it. If you know the dog will be scared, go to a distance. If you do not want to startle it, be cautious and be quiet. Loud noises will startle it for sure. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Advertisement
Always be sure to check if a stray dog belongs to someone before you assume that it’s ownerless. If the dog has a collar with tags, it’s likely to have an owner. Even if it doesn’t, it may be microchipped with identification. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
If you’re worried about the dog’s safety or about the dog endangering your community’s safety, contact your local animal control right away. If you give them information about what the dog looks like and where you’ve seen it, their experts may be able to track it down before any tragedy occurs. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. Make sure you stay calm when you approach the dog, or else it might get fearful or aggressive. 
Community Answer Just as the article says. You may want to be careful and just sit a few more feet away from what the article suggests. You will want to go through the steps above, for a time longer. Also, dogs can sense if your afraid, so dont be afraid. If you truly care about the dog, you wont have a problem. 
Community Answer If the dog seems to respond well you can. Over time he would relate that name to you treating him well.