Meeting a strange dog might seem like a topic that doesn't need much discussion, because depending on where you live you might see any number of strange dogs in a week. If you're a dog person, you'll try to pet them. Depending on how aware you are of stranger etiquette, you may or not get bit for your troubles.
Have you ever gone to pet a dog that seemed perfectly friendly, only to almost get your hand bit off when your hand gets close? Many people have, and most of the time those people label the dog as mean, aggressive, scary, etc. What people don't seem to understand is a lot of the time it's their own fault the dog tried (or succeeded) to bite them.
Now a lot of people who have had this happen are thinking about not reading this article, because the author is an idiot. No one likes being told the blame is theirs, not the dog's. Don't stop reading, though. I'll tell you why it's often the person's fault.
When a lot of humans meet a strange dog they walk right up to it, and pet the top of its head while looking the dog straight in the eye. Bad, bad plan. Here's why: for dogs, eye contact and standing over a fellow dog is a sign of dominance, and sometimes straight aggression. Basically, you're telling the dog that you are in every way superior to them, and you have every right to do whatever you want with them, their food, and all their other resources.
Now, even if you believe that (and if you do, you and I need to have a longer chat about something called narcissism), you're also showing that dog absolutely no respect. I don't know about you, but if someone did the equivalent of that greeting to me, I'd probably have a violent reaction, too.
The key to greeting a dog without danger to yourself is to show respect, dog-style.
1. Let the dog come to you. If the dog doesn't walk up to you, don't greet it by approaching yourself. That can be threatening to the dog, and induce fear, aggression, or both.
2. Don't look the dog in the eye. Look off the side, or down instead. This is a hard one, because humans greet each other face-to-face. Dogs, rather, greet side-to-side.
3. Don't put yourself in a position over the dog. Reach for a shoulder or the under-part of the jaw rather than over the head. You can even pet the side of the dog, if they present it to you when they are greeting you.
4. Watch their body language. Dogs most often telegraph their moves before they do them as a warning to the target of the mood. If the dog shifts in the threatening manner, back off and continue not looking them in the eye.
5. Control your mood. Dogs can see your mood in your body language. They know if you are afraid, angry, or hostile. Any of these emotions can affect how the dog receives you.
In conclusion, show the dog you are approaching respect, in dog language. Don't approach or try to pet a dog unless they come up to you first. That is one of the hardest things for people to do, sometimes even for dog professionals to do. Follow the rules, and don't be one of those people who blames the dog for your lack of dog manners.
=> Morgan Clemens currently owns and runs "The Mutt Squad, LLC", a business that provides pet sitting, dog walking, and dog socialization services to Phoenix, AZ, and it's surrounding cities.
Her passion is and always has been the proper treatment of all animals, both wild and domestic. According to her, this proper treatment includes both mental and physical health, and is a necessary part of owning or interacting with any animal.
To learn more about The Mutt Squad and the service they provide, visit http://azmuttsquad.com
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