More than 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year. To help prevent you from becoming one of them, here are some important tips on how to approach a new dog for the first time so the experience is pleasant for both of you.
Although many dogs are approachable and friendly, some dogs do not like to be touched by strangers, and it’s these dogs that are most likely to bite.
Dog trainer and behavior consultant Eugenia Vogel recommends you take the following three steps when meeting a dog for the first time.
Step 1: Careful and Critical Observation
Just like people, dogs give out major clues as to how they are feeling. Vogel strongly encourages you to pay careful attention to what the dog is trying to tell you.
“The very first thing you should do is observe the dog’s body language and overall look,” she said. “If it’s looking at you, wagging its tail happily and loosely, not stiffly and high-up, that’s a good sign. When you get close enough, ask the owner if the dog is friendly, and continue to look for overt signs of friendliness, such as lots of wiggling and play-bowing, and no tenseness in movement as you approach.”
Vogel said some pet parents have “a slightly rose-colored hue of their dog’s temperament, so don’t take their, ‘Oh, my dog loves everyone!’ at full value.”
Listen to what the dog parent has to say — if she doesn’t want you to meet her dog, then most likely there is a good reason.
Step 2: Crouching Person, Sniffing Dog
You’ve determined that the dog is friendly, and he has given you signs that it is okay to approach him. Great!
Begin by crouching down a few feet away from the end of the leash, turn your face and body away at a bit of an angle, and hold your hand out low, with your face turned away. If the dog is licking your hand and seems really interested in you, make some eye contact.
“If they are going nuts and want to kiss your face, then sure, let them do it, ” Vogel said.
However, she warns, “If the dog is aloof at all, then disengage. No eye contact. If their body starts to stiffen, or if you hear a low growl – look away. You want to keep your body as loose as possible. A stiff body is a sign of tension in humans and dogs, and dogs read body language more than you can imagine.”
Step 3: Dogs Can Tell A lot About You by Your Smile
Besides keeping a relaxed stance and reading the dog’s body language, don’t wear a huge, silly smile. “You don’t want a big grin, because if it’s a dog that isn’t used to being around people, you could really freak him out,” Vogel said. “You don’t want to stare, either, because that can be a sign of aggression.”
These same techniques can be applied if you’re out on a walk with your own dog, and a stranger and his dog approach and want to meet.
Vogel said, “It’s basically the same thing. If you are not certain your dog is 100-percent lovey-dovey all the time, then don’t allow them to meet. But don’t avoid social contact. Contact a professional dog trainer and get a socialization program going. You don’t want to write it off because the problem will get worse.”
Another tip is to allow some slack in your leash if it’s clear the dogs really want to meet. Tight leashes keep the dogs from doing, well, what dogs do when they meet each other.
“Two dogs straining at a leash are much more likely to fight. It throws off their body posture, and they can’t do all of the calming behaviors that they normally would do in a social situation,” Vogel explained.
It’s a Dog’s World
In conclusion, let the dog indicate if he wants you to pet him or not – which he will do.
Do your best to remain calm and relaxed when meeting a new dog for the first time. Dogs will pick up on the energy you put out, so if you’re nervous or anxious, the dog will get this, and your meeting will probably not go well. And if the dog tells you to back off – do it.
But more likely than not, most dogs will let you approach them, and you will both enjoy a friendly exchange and lots of kisses.
PHOTO: Cordey
The post Don’t Get Bitten: Tips for Meeting a New Dog appeared first on i Love Dogs.