As a dog owner, I love to take my dog places with me. The local pub, a cafe, even a dog friendly shop. While it’s important for dog owners to respect those around us who may be nervous around or scared of dogs (we certainly shouldn’t be letting them roam around the pub without asking, for example) there are those people you’ll meet that love dogs.
I love it when you’re walking your dog and people you pass can’t help but give them a little grin, it’s the same if we’re sat inside somewhere. Bar staff, cafe owners, even fellow customers, we’ve spotted your loving glances and excuses being made so that you can go to the toilet and just ‘happen’ to pass the dog (I’ve done it myself). I know from experience that my dog can give people very different reactions, even if in their eyes they’re coming across in a friendly way. Even if you’re a dog lover, it’s important to know the best way to approach a dog that you don’t know. Here are some tips for the best way to go about it:
How to stroke a dog
- Ask the owner
- Bend/squat down to their level
- Let the dog sniff the back of your hand
- If they don’t recoil, stroke under their chin or on their chest first. NOT over the head.
- Most importantly – stay relaxed
Ask the dog’s owner first
Chances are you’ll get a response of ‘yeah, course!’ if you ask if you can stroke a dog, but it’s always best to ask first just in case that dog is nervous. The owner might be able to give you a heads up if certain approaches trigger a bad reaction. I know my dog is a little nervous about a quick approach (sorry drunk people!).
Bend/squat down to their level
This isn’t essential (especially if you’re out in the street) but it’s more likely to put the dog at ease by making you not seem quite so ‘big’ and domineering.
Let the dog sniff the back of your hand
Dogs use their sense of smell more than anything, offering a dog the back of your hand gives them a chance to give it a sniff and see how they feel about you. Consider it like a handshake, the handshake originally came about to show that you had nothing hidden up your sleeve. Showing the back of your hand, rather than the palm allows you to curl your fingers back and prevents them from being bitten. If the dog shys away or recoils from the interaction, It’s probably worth leaving the situation there. They’re nervous.
If they don’t recoil? Oh boy, you might be in!
Stroke under the chin first and go from there
One big mistake a ‘stranger’ makes with a dog that they don’t know is to go for the head stroke. This is seen as domineering to dogs, which is why they’ll often recoil from it. If you go under the chin with a tickle or on their chest first then you seem like less of a threat. That’s not to say you can’t build up to a head fuss or belly rubs, but it’s not the best place to start. We all know how weird we feel about people acting as if they know us, right? Dogs are no different.
How NOT to approach a dog that you don’t know
- Don’t assume the dog is friendly. Even if the dog is calm enough to be in a public place, it might not like interaction.
- Do not rush/run up to them and avoid approaching head-on if possible
- Do not go over their head to stroke them on the head, chances are they won’t like it.
- Don’t stare/look them directly in the eyes – this again can be seen as domineering.
- Don’t assume a dog showing you their belly wants a belly rub. Dogs showing their belly means that they’re telling you that they’re not a threat and don’t want trouble. You’ll soon work out if they want belly rubs by how they respond to you.
If you’re sat thinking ‘This all seems a bit over the top, I’ve had dogs before and they’ve been fine’. Much like humans, dogs are all very different and what works for one, might not be the same for another. You may feel at ease around dogs, but it’s important to make them feel at ease around you as well.
Go forth and pet all the dogs! (As long as they want you to)