How to greet an aggressive dog?

So, just as you wouldn't rush over to an unfamiliar person at an event & ruffle their hair, why would you approach an unfamiliar dog & pat them just on head? Like humans, dogs have standards for greeting new people, just as we have guidelines for greeting people in general. Unfortunately, the majority of people are unaware of or do not adhere to these standards, which might result in difficulty. When a dog feels threatened or scared, he or she may crouch, snarl, or even bite at the threat or fear. Learn how to welcome unfamiliar dogs in a safe and polite manner so that you can make more canine pals more easily.

Ask for owner’s permission

Dogs, unlike people, are unable to communicate whether or not they would prefer you to leave them alone. They depend on their owner to act as their spokesperson and protector in order to keep them safe from unwelcome attention. Because of this, you should always request approval from a dog owner before welcoming their pet. Something as basic as "Can I say hi to your dog?" will suffice to get the job done. If you receive a negative response, accept it and leave the dog alone.

All too frequently, well-intentioned individuals continue to pursue their goals after receiving a negative response. "It's all OK, I adore dogs," they say as they rush approach the dog. That is simply not a safe practice. First and foremost, the owner was concerned about their dog, not about you. Second, only because you enjoy dogs does not imply that a dog will enjoy you in return. Just because you are friendly with a frightened or aggressive dog does not mean that they will change their emotional state. It is possible that you will be attacked by a dog that gets offended by your unwelcome entrance. Trust the owner's judgment and stay away from the property.

Greet with actions that are appropriate for a dog

It's finally time to say hello to the dog when it comes up to you. However, be certain that you do so in a dog-friendly manner. Pat the dog just on the side, head, back, or chest, and avoid patting the dog's belly. Even better, inquire as to if the dog does have a favorite location for caressing from the owner. It is best not to reach over the dog's head because it is intimidating. Also, don't embrace or restrain the puppy in any way while doing so. The majority of dogs are not fond of being patted on the head or hugged. People they know may tolerate them when they are with their family and friends, but outsiders are a very different matter.

Begin by moving slowly and steadily, keeping your motions calm and steady. It turns out that this animal is just beginning to know you. You don't want to give them a start. Check their nonverbal cues to discover if they've had enough since a few minutes or if they're interested in continuing the conversation. Perhaps it will be obvious that you have gained a new friend.

When dealing with dogs on the loose, be careful

In fact, you may feel even more driven to greet a missing dog if you are hoping to reunite the animal with its owner as a result of your desire to reconnect the animal with their owner. When encountering a stray dog for the first time, you should proceed with caution. Allow them to come to you, and maintain a calm and non-threatening demeanor throughout. In particular, youngsters should be taught this lesson.

All children should be familiar with the Be such a Tree approach in case they come across a stray dog on the free. Standing still with the arms tucked in your sides & your hands folded next to you while looking down is referred to as "Being a Tree." Children should adopt this position while they are around a loose dog since they are not doing anything that could frighten or spook the dog, such as making eye contact with the dog or triggering the dog's pursue reaction by moving. Make your child practice this stance with a happy dog until it becomes second nature to him or her. Following your familiarization with Be a Tree and all of the regulations for meeting on-leash dogs, you will be able to confidently & safely greet each new dog you come across.

Allow the dog to come up to you.

Once you've obtained permission from the property owner, it's time to seek permission from the dog. Instead of putting the hand in the dog's face or going out for dogs, wait for the pet to come to you instead. If the dog comes to you, it is a sign that they are interested in meeting you. If they remain still, respect that they are simply not in the mood, regardless of what their owner has stated. Not all dog owners have a clear understanding of their dog's mental state, and some are under the impression that their anxious dog would overcome their anxiety if enough people come up to them and say hello. Allow the canine to have the final say.

FAQs

What is the best way to welcome a dog who is overexcited?

Using a lead, wait until both canines are calm and courteous before issuing the OK order and permitting them to meet. Emma explains that if someone isn't calm and nice, they won't be allowed to say hello. "The importance of rules and structure cannot be overstated. Following the establishment of good manners on-lead and the acquisition of complete vocal control, I cease utilizing the lead."

What is the reason for my dog greeting every dog?

"Would you like to say hi to this person?" he exclaims, bursting into tears of joy as he spots a buddy. "Go say hello!" you can say when he turns his attention to you for a brief moment. Soon enough, your dog will recognize the person and dog in the street as a cue to turn his attention to you and ask permission to greet them.

To wrap it up

Seeing a gorgeous puppy and not wanting to approach him to say hello is difficult - they're simply so sweet and fluffy! Although it is tempting to approach a cute child on the sidewalk and fawn all across them, you wouldn't do so without first making a few basic introductions or asking for permission. Or, when meeting a new employee for the first time, do you jump up to them and offer them a bear hug? Not that much... or at the very least, you shouldn't think so! to know more seek help from Be Kind: Less Aggression, More Love