How do you greet a dog after a long absence?
Isaias Haley
2025-06-24 19:35:57
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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. Let the Dog Approach You 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. To make yourself appear as friendly as possible, turn your body slightly to the side and look at the dog with your peripheral vision. You can also kneel down to the dog’s level so you aren’t looming overhead. 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. Greet With Dog-Appropriate Actions 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. Go slowly at first and keep your movements calm and steady. This dog is just getting to know you after all.
Frederick Brakus
2025-06-24 19:23:23
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As it turns out, the group of dogs were happier when they were greeted by their owners with a verbal Hello, and a rub on the head or back. They conducted an experiment with various scenarios of greetings and monitored the dogs' emotions by measuring levels of cortisol – the stress hormone and oxytocin – a happiness chemical. If you're away from your pooch for some time, try to keep these strategies in mind. The animals in that group chose to seek attention from a stranger rather than remain in the company of the distant owner. The researchers learned that dogs who were not greeted at all by an estranged owner seemed to be bothered by it.
Hailee Bergstrom
2025-06-24 18:57:13
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With hugs, sloppy kisses, and lots of love, of course. Jump around. Wag your tail. Purr ferociously. Oh, wait – that’s not you, that’s what your pet will be doing. Even dogs and cats who normally shy away from such excessive displays will be as glad to see you again as you are to see them. Dogs recognize their humans by sight and the sound of your voice, but when they sniff you and detect your familiar scent, that clinches the deal for them. Some dog behaviorists suggest that the presence of multiple familiar people can make the reunion an even bigger event for your pup. Touch that dog! The study concluded that although the sight of a familiar person is a positive event for a dog, and the sound of that person’s voice is better, it is actually the sensation of being touched by that person which helps to boost the level of good feeling in the dog and allows it to carry over for much longer than just the moments when dog and loved one reunite. Dogs who were greeted verbally and with touching had the highest oxytocin levels.
Bernhard Kozey
2025-06-24 16:39:38
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It is perhaps even more important that we reunite correctly after a longer absence so that we can impress on our dogs that we are still their leaders from the moment we see them again. Their excitement to see us is understandable and natural and it may even take longer than normal for them to calm down enough for us to decide the time is right to call them for a lovely cuddle, but be strict with your human selves and remember we do this for the benefit of their canine mental health. Depending on the length of journey you then have, I advise either waiting until you get the dogs back in the house before beginning the reuniting correctly ritual. Or, if it is going to take some time to get back home, then just say a quick, calm and warm hello once you’ve got them settled in your car, and then if there are family at home waiting for them it is up to them to be calm and reunite correctly. Ensure there is no eye contact or speaking to the dogs when the kennels staff brings them out to you. Ask the calmest member of the family to do the pick up.
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