10 Practical Advice for a Friendly Approach to Dogs You Don’t Know

It can be exciting to see an unfamiliar dog on the street. It doesn’t matter if they’re small or big, some can’t help but convey joy and beauty wherever they go, so much so that sometimes we can’t resist the temptation to reach out to caress them. However, if we do it the wrong way, we can scare them and the experience will be bad, even with dogs that are generally friendly.

O awesome.club features recommendations from veterinarians to make this encounter as enjoyable for you as it is for your new furry friend.

Sometimes we can’t control the urge to go up to a dog and pet him. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist, says that doing so abruptly can be intimidating for them. It’s best if you approach slowly and in a relaxed manner. This way, the dog will have the opportunity to feel safe and know that you are not going to hurt him or his owner.

Another common mistake we make is going directly to our pets without asking their owners if we can get close. This attitude, in addition to being a courtesy gesture, can guide us if the dog is aggressive or if we should approach it in a certain way. Veterinarian Yin suggests taking this time to ask permission from the owner, so the dog will feel safe too.

Even for humans, looking into the eyes of a stranger can feel a little strange, making us feel uncomfortable. The same can happen with dogs. The veterinarian also recommends that, after receiving permission from the owner, we do not look the dogs directly in the eyes, so that they feel comfortable with our presence. She also says the first approach should be from the side, not the front.

Unlike humans, dogs have a more developed sense of smell and this is their way of getting closer to the world. Another piece of advice from veterinarian Yin is to let them come to us, allowing them to smell our legs and hands, so that they can decide whether they want to be petted by a stranger.

It is common that, when petting a dog, we place our hand on its head and some dogs don’t seem to care about that. However, veterinarian Uri Burstyn claims that this gesture can seem aggressive to furry ones and provoke a negative reaction. He suggests, instead, that after approaching, we lower our hand a little, that they may know us.

Now that you’ve lowered your hand so your new friend can sniff it a bit, Burstyn recommends, to ensure greater safety for children and adults, closing it gently, showing the back of your hand. This way, the fingers are protected in case the dog is aggressive.

Personal space is also important for dogs, and if we are going to crouch down to pet a dog that has already shown itself to be familiar with us, it is advisable to respect it. For this reason, veterinarian Yin recommends keeping a certain distance, to give him freedom of movement, while you are getting to know each other.

After winning the animal’s trust, we can pet it. But instead of touching his back or head, veterinarian Burstyn suggests we start at the chin, below the muzzle. This is a safe place for us and friendly for them, so we won’t be doing something that might seem aggressive to them.

Human expressions of friendship may not be received in the same way by dogs. This behavior can cause high levels of stress in animals and, as it is an unknown dog, it can also be dangerous for humans, especially if they are children. Veterinarian Yin recommends choosing caresses instead of hugs.

Observing the dog’s behavior can help you to know whether or not he wants to be petted. There is a possibility that he is not interested in meeting you, or that he is nervous. In the latter case, it is best not to force him to approach you, as he will not feel completely comfortable. One of Yin’s veterinarian recommendations is that we approach him only if we see that he is relaxed and happy; otherwise, we should just look at it.

What’s your way of approaching an unfamiliar pet? Does your dog like to meet new people? Share your opinion with us in the comments.