How to greet a strange dog safely
Polite greeting
So many people have become pet owners in the past few years and it seems there are always new dogs to see when we are out and about. But how many people really understand how to interact with the dogs they meet?
When meeting and greeting, especially with familiar people, we look at one another, touch one another, even hug one another. This is normal primate behaviour. But dogs are not primates. They don’t stare at one another, they rarely touch other animals when meeting them and they never hug!
So what should we do? Here are five steps to safe and happy encounters.
Ask the guardian
This is an essential first step. Dogs rely totally on their guardians to keep them safe and comfortable. It’s important to respect people’s wishes, but all too often well-meaning people go ahead to greet the dog even after being asked not to.
Don’t forget that, even if you love dogs, the dog may not love you! The dog may be frightened or reactive even if he doesn’t appear that way, Even in situations where the dog looks friendly, it is still important to check for permission. The guardian may have their reasons for not wanting contact. Maybe they are training the dog not to jump up or to give attention to them in distracting situations. There are any number of other reasons why they may not welcome social contact.
Ask the dog
Once you have permission from the dog’s guardian, the next stage is to check if the dog is keen to meet you. As humans we tend to want to be in control of greetings with dogs and are inclined to insist on what we want. Consider instead, what the dog may want, and do your best to read their body language. There is no doubt that he will be trying to tell you how he feels and these signs can be very subtle. If you are in any doubt at all, do not approach. Not all guardians accurately read their own dog’s emotional state and some even mistakenly believe their reactive dog will get over their concerns if enough people say Hello’. Let the dog make the decision. Let him approach you if and when he chooses to.
Approach politely
If the dog appears obviously comfortable, turn sideways on, keeping a distance so you are not crowding into his personal space. Do not stare at the dog but use your peripheral vision or don’t look at him at all.
Do not hold out your fist towards his face unless you are absolutely confident that he is not nervous. He can smell you just as well from a distance and arms reaching towards them can easily alarm a dog.
You might even decide to squat down to appear less intimidating, but only do this if you are sure the dog is not aggressive.
Be polite. I wouldn’t march up to someone at a party, hold my fist out to their face, rumple their hair or cuddle them. People don’t like it, and neither do dogs!
Keep watching for signs of concern
Worried dog on a lead
If the dog approaches you, he is saying that he wants to meet you. If he doesn’t, then respect his message and don’t go any further, despite what the guardian may have said.
If the dog makes it clear he wants petting by looking relaxed, pressing against you, etc. then go ahead and touch him. Always be gentle and calm and try to avoid the top of the head as this can worry some dogs. It is more pleasant for the dog, to restrict your pats to the side, neck, back, or chest. Better still, ask the dog’s guardian where the dog likes to be touched.
Off-lead dogs
Finally, if you see an off-lead dog, particularly if they are alone, the temptation may be to approach, touch and hold the dog near you. Be very careful because you never know why the dog is out alone and they may be frightened and potentially aggressive. The best plan is to stand still, stay calm and wait for the dog to decide whether to come nearer or not.
Stay safe and enjoy the dogs you meet!
