How to Approach a Dog

Dogs are one of the most common pets, and definitely ones you will see being walked (Imagine a cat on a leash?) As domesticated as they come however, they are still animals with lingering instinct. So here’s how to approach them without setting them off.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A little bit of knowledge(from this article)
• Intuition
• Common Sense
• A bandage(lol, just in case)

1. 

   ANGLE IS KEY. Don’t want to trigger that canine instinct? Then make sure to approach at an angle instead of head-on. And I don’t mean just any angle because the dog MUST be able to see you.

2. 
   Hovering leads to discomfort. That's when a dog is likely to bite you!

   DON'T INTIMIDATE BY HOVERING. This rule is more important for the smaller dogs. It’s when strangers hover on top of the dog, completely invading its space. An easy way to remember the rule: think to the last time that a much taller, bigger person squished you in the corner of an elevator. Not a good feeling right?

3. 
   Dog licking your knuckles = dog handshake

   FAMILIARIZE. Offer the dog your fist (slowly). This allows the dog to sniff your knuckles, maybe lick your hand, but most definitely won’t lead to any missing fingers (since your fingers are protected inside your fist)

4. 
   head pats take time. Be patient.

   NO HEAD PATS, at least not right away. Get familiar first by carefully following step 3. Make sure to allow at least three to five minutes before you try patting the dog’s head.

5. 
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   NO STARING CONTEST. Staring at a dog is like saying: you’re challenging me. Just like staring will annoy you, it’ll be a similar dog feeling. So instead of staring, blink often, look happy, heck you can even yawn at them. But definitely don’t stare.

Tips & Warnings

• Always get permission from the owner first.
• Always be prepared for the worst: the dog may just not like being pet regardless of what the owner says. Know your limitations.

Resources

• More Articles by WesleyJ
• Find Me on Bukisa!
• How to calm your dog before a stranger approaches...

[lxlunat1cxl]

on 9/19/2009 Thanks for the tips! I love dogs! I'll know how to approach dogs now! 5**

[HeavenHealing]

on 7/18/2009 Wish everyone, including children, would be taught this! Would make us dog owners and our dogs A LOT more comfortable in public. Thanks for the tip!

[BCPASSIONS]

on 6/13/2009 Nice, very informative.

[Desula]

on 5/16/2009 Step 3 is something I try to teach children whenever they approach my dogs. If you get bit, it won't hurt quite as bad....

[csmarie]

on 5/3/2009 I do the knuckle idea instinctively and try to convey good will toward the dog, somehow, they know it. Great article! 5*