Approaching a Dog Cautiously
wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Sometimes. If the dog is with their owner, ask if its okay to pet them. Approach the dog carefully and look for signs that theyre open to being petted, like a wagging tail, perky ears, and an open-mouthed, “smiling” expression. Dont try to pet a dog that acts nervous or aggressive, even if their owner says its okay. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Physical touch helps build a bond of trust between you and your dog. Gentle petting and scratching feels good to them and helps boost feel-good hormones in their bodies, just like when they cuddled with their parents as puppies. It also helps them feel like they are part of your social group. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer Your dog may feel nervous, especially if you’re trying to pat him on the top of the head. According to dog behavior experts from the American Kennel Club, many dogs don’t enjoy being petted on top of the head. Approach your dog from the side and allow him to sniff your hand, then try scratching the side of his neck or gently patting his flank. You can also use treats and a clicker to train your dog not to fear head pats. Clubs Offering:
You wouldn’t rush over to a stranger at a party and ruffle their hair, so why would you run up to a strange dog and pat them on the head? Just as we have social etiquette for meeting new people, dogs have rules for greetings too. Unfortunately, most people don’t know or respect those rules and that can lead to trouble. A threatened or frightened dog might react with cowering, growling, or even biting. Learn how to greet strange dogs safely and politely so you can more easily make new canine friends.
Unlike people, dogs can’t tell you if they would rather you left them alone. They rely on their owner as spokesperson and guardian to protect them from unwanted attention. Therefore, you should always ask permission from a dog’s owner before greeting their dog. Something as simple as, “Can I say hello to your dog?” will do the trick. If the answer is no, respect that and let the dog be.
All too often, well-meaning people press on after a no. They rush toward the dog stating, “It’s okay, I love dogs.” That’s simply not safe. First, the owner’s concern was for their dog, not for you. Second, just because you love dogs doesn’t mean that dog will love you. A frightened or reactive dog isn’t going to suddenly change their emotional state just because of how friendly you are. You could end up bitten by a dog that feels threatened by your unwelcome intrusion. Trust the owner’s judgment and keep away.
But what if the dog looks friendly and seems to be soliciting your attention? It’s still important to ask the owner. It’s not enough to read the dog’s body language, there could be many reasons why the owner would prefer you stay back. Perhaps they are working on their dog’s bad habit of jumping on people and don’t want you interfering with their training. Maybe their dog has a sore spot they don’t want you to inadvertently pat. Or their dog might get aggressive when strangers come too close to their beloved owner.
Once you’ve asked for the owner’s permission, it’s time to ask for the dog’s. Rather than sticking your hand in the dog’s face or reaching out for pets, wait for the dog to come to you. If the dog approaches you, they are saying they want to meet you. If they hang back, respect they simply aren’t in the mood, despite what their owner said. Not all owners accurately read their dog’s emotional state and some mistakenly believe their anxious dog will get over their fear if enough people say hello. Let the dog have the final word.
To make yourself appear as friendly as possible, turn your body slightly to the side and look at the dog with your peripheral vision. In dog language, head-on approaches and direct eye contact are threatening, so avoid them if possible. You can also kneel down to the dog’s level so you aren’t looming overhead. However, if you are in any way uncertain about the dog, stay standing. After all, kneeling will put your face at bite level.
Dogs don’t shake hands like people do, they use their nose to say hello. So, hold your hand in a fist so they can approach and sniff if they choose. Don’t thrust your hand at the dog. They can smell you just fine from a distance, and the sudden movement could startle them.
Once the dog approaches, it’s finally time to greet them. But be sure to do so in dog-appropriate ways. Restrict your pats to the dog’s side, neck, back, or chest. Even better, ask the owner if their dog has a favorite spot for petting. Avoid reaching over the dog’s head as that is frightening. And don’t hug or restrain the dog in any way. Most dogs dislike pats on the head and hugs. They might tolerate them from their family members, but strangers are a different story.
Go slowly at first and keep your movements calm and steady. This dog is just getting to know you after all. You don’t want to startle them. Read their body language to see whether they’ve had enough after a few moments or if they’re interested in further interaction. Hopefully, it will be clear you’ve made a new friend.
Dogs have been our companions for centuries. That kind of familiarity often leads some wanting to approach and pet an unfamiliar dog. That said, there are six things you should do when approaching a dog you don’t know (or who doesn’t know you).
How to Approach an Unfamiliar Dog
You wouldn’t rush over to a stranger at a party and ruffle their hair, so why would you run up to a strange dog and pat them on the head? Just as we have social etiquette for meeting new people, dogs have rules for greetings too. Unfortunately, most people don’t know or respect those rules and that can lead to trouble. A threatened or frightened dog might react with cowering, growling, or even biting. Learn how to greet strange dogs safely and politely so you can more easily make new canine friends.
Unlike people, dogs can’t tell you if they would rather you left them alone. They rely on their owner as spokesperson and guardian to protect them from unwanted attention. Therefore, you should always ask permission from a dog’s owner before greeting their dog. Something as simple as, “Can I say hello to your dog?” will do the trick. If the answer is no, respect that and let the dog be.
All too often, well-meaning people press on after a no. They rush toward the dog stating, “It’s okay, I love dogs.” That’s simply not safe. First, the owner’s concern was for their dog, not for you. Second, just because you love dogs doesn’t mean that dog will love you. A frightened or reactive dog isn’t going to suddenly change their emotional state just because of how friendly you are. You could end up bitten by a dog that feels threatened by your unwelcome intrusion. Trust the owner’s judgment and keep away.
But what if the dog looks friendly and seems to be soliciting your attention? It’s still important to ask the owner. It’s not enough to read the dog’s body language, there could be many reasons why the owner would prefer you stay back. Perhaps they are working on their dog’s bad habit of jumping on people and don’t want you interfering with their training. Maybe their dog has a sore spot they don’t want you to inadvertently pat. Or their dog might get aggressive when strangers come too close to their beloved owner.
Once you’ve asked for the owner’s permission, it’s time to ask for the dog’s. Rather than sticking your hand in the dog’s face or reaching out for pets, wait for the dog to come to you. If the dog approaches you, they are saying they want to meet you. If they hang back, respect they simply aren’t in the mood, despite what their owner said. Not all owners accurately read their dog’s emotional state and some mistakenly believe their anxious dog will get over their fear if enough people say hello. Let the dog have the final word.
To make yourself appear as friendly as possible, turn your body slightly to the side and look at the dog with your peripheral vision. In dog language, head-on approaches and direct eye contact are threatening, so avoid them if possible. You can also kneel down to the dog’s level so you aren’t looming overhead. However, if you are in any way uncertain about the dog, stay standing. After all, kneeling will put your face at bite level.
Dogs don’t shake hands like people do, they use their nose to say hello. So, hold your hand in a fist so they can approach and sniff if they choose. Don’t thrust your hand at the dog. They can smell you just fine from a distance, and the sudden movement could startle them.
Once the dog approaches, it’s finally time to greet them. But be sure to do so in dog-appropriate ways. Restrict your pats to the dog’s side, neck, back, or chest. Even better, ask the owner if their dog has a favorite spot for petting. Avoid reaching over the dog’s head as that is frightening. And don’t hug or restrain the dog in any way. Most dogs dislike pats on the head and hugs. They might tolerate them from their family members, but strangers are a different story.
Go slowly at first and keep your movements calm and steady. This dog is just getting to know you after all. You don’t want to startle them. Read their body language to see whether they’ve had enough after a few moments or if they’re interested in further interaction. Hopefully, it will be clear you’ve made a new friend.