What is the proper way to greet a dog?
Ernestina Bernier
2025-06-24 19:44:10
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: 8
To approach a dog appropriately, if it’s a small dog crouch down to the dog’s level. Always have one foot flat on the ground so you’re able to quickly get up if needed. For a larger dog approach side on with your hands by your side and encourage the dog towards you if they are comfortable. Don’t stare, shout at, or loom over a dog – all these things can seem confrontational to a dog, which might cause them to react or be afraid. Approach side on in a calm, gentle manner. ALLOW the dog to approach and sniff your hand without reaching your hand out to them. If the dog is comfortable being in your space and showing relaxed body language, you can try to stroke them. Gently reach out with the back of your hand and stroke the dog’s shoulders, chest or under their chin, which most dogs enjoy.
Javonte Wisozk
2025-06-18 17:28:15
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: 9
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, 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. 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.
Jeanette Conn
2025-06-07 16:21:44
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: 5
When greeting a dog you don’t know or you’ve only met a couple of times so you’re not that familiar with each other, it’s really important to remember to ‘think dog’ and put yourself in their shoes. If someone you didn’t know rushed over to you in the street and put their hands on you, you would quite rightly be more than a little on edge. While some dogs aren’t in the least bit bothered about these out of the blue greetings, they do make other canines worried. Giving dogs more choice in whether to interact with you or not, can in fact help build better relationships and help keep both people and dogs safe and happy. Always take a moment to decide if you really need to stroke the dog. Follow our three Cs of Canine Choice. Check. Always ask the owner if it’s OK to stroke the dog. Call the dog to you by patting your legs gently and saying “hello”. Count. If the dog comes over to you, you can stroke their shoulder nearest to you. Tip: Even if the owner has said it’s ok to say hello, remember to check the dog’s body language is happy and relaxed before you go ahead. Always be calm, quiet and move slowly around pets. If the dog turns or moves away from you, they’re telling you they’d rather you didn’t stroke them just now, so it’s time to stop.
Landen Will
2025-06-07 16:04:15
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: 16
Do ask, first things first: Ask the dog’s guardian if it’s OK for you to approach. If not, that’s OK. Do behave in a nonthreatening manner, rather than approaching head on—which could be perceived as aggressive—assume a nonthreatening posture by keeping your side or back toward the dog. Some dogs are more apt to approach if you kneel or squat down. Do let the dog approach you, turn your side or back to Fido, and allow him to approach you. Be patient, he may sniff you, approach slowly, come right to you, hold his ground, or back away. Always take your cues from Fido, if he distances himself from you, that’s his choice. Do proceed with caution when petting, if you have the guardian’s consent, and Fluffy seems amenable, gently pet her on the side of the face or body or on the back.