It’s thrilling to meet a dog you’ve never met while walking along the street or in the park. It doesn’t matter if they’re large or small. Some dogs can’t resist expressing happiness and affection everywhere they go, so often that we’re compelled to get close to them and pet them. If we approach it incorrectly, it could cause them to be scared, and instead of enjoying ourselves, we’ll have an unpleasant experience. This can happen with dogs that are generally very friendly.
This is why We want to give you some suggestions from vets to ensure that this process goes smoothly. So you and your dog will be delighted to have a meeting.
Do not rush into a greeting.
Sometimes, while walking down the street or in the park, and encounter an individual who is walking his or their dog. We feel like we cannot stop ourselves from walking toward a pet and hugging it. However, Sophia Yin is an animal behaviorist who states that approaching it in a hurry could be intimidating for dogs (and perhaps for us too). The best way to approach it is to do it slowly and calmly. In this way, your dog is likely to feel safe and secure knowing that you’re not going to cause harm to the dog or its owner.
Ask the owner’s permission.
Another mistake we make while “meeting” a new dog is to hug the furry friend immediately. We’re eager to meet our new pet. However, we should not forget to inquire with the owner about how we should take it in a certain way. This, aside from being a sign of respect, could also be helpful should the dog become aggressive or when we must be able to approach it in a particular manner. Doctor. Yin suggests that we should take the time to seek permission from the owner so the dog can be more comfortable in our presence.
Do not make eye contact with your eyes direct.
For humans, looking a stranger in the eyes can be uncomfortable and can be intimidating at times. It can make humans feel uncomfortable. It’s the same in dogs. The veterinarian also suggests that we shouldn’t stare directly into their eyes once we’ve received permission from the owner to do so. This is to ensure that they are comfortable with us. When we are prepared to greet them first, it is best to start by approaching them in the back to avoid intimidating them.
Let their sense of smell guide them.
As opposed to humans, dogs possess an enhanced sense of smell. This is how they approach and observe the world around them. Their nose can be described as having two eyes. Another suggestion that Dr. Yin is to let them approach us instead of us coming to them. The idea is to ensure that they can sniff our hands and legs, to let them decide whether or not they would like to be pampered by someone else.
Don’t stroke their heads or lift your hand over their head.
It’s pretty commonplace that when people pet a dog, they will put their hand over the head of the dog. This is probably because very few people are aware that while certain dogs don’t be able to think, they are more sensitive, which means they do quite a bit. Veterinarian Uri Burstyn states dogs might perceive the gesture as an attack, so it’s not unusual for it to cause an intensely adverse reaction. Therefore, he suggests after approaching our dog, we take a step back and lower our hands just for them to get become acquainted with us.
Be sure to protect your hands, but allow them to get to know you.
After you’ve lowered your dog’s hand, he will be able to sniff you and begin to get to know the person you’re. However, Burstyn recommends ensuring the safety of children and adults that you close your hand with a gentle touch, then turn the palm so that you show the backside of your hand to your dog. Our fingers will be secured if the dog does turn out to be aggressive for some reason. You could have done something that angers them, and you’re a stranger, which means they may react accordingly.
Respect their space
It is also essential to have a personal space for dogs. If we’re going to sit down and touch a dog that has already granted us the trust of its owners, it’s recommended to treat it with respect. So the veterinarian, Dr. Yin, recommends keeping a certain distance between you and your dog to allow them to move freely as they get to know you and when you are getting to know them too.
Please take a deep breath and then stroke their chins.
After earning confidence in the pet, it is now possible to pet it. However, instead of doing it on their backs or their heads or their heads, Burstyn recommends that we put them on their heads. Burstyn suggests starting by placing their chins beneath their muzzle. It’s because a chin area is a secure place for us to be in, and at the same time, it is comfortable and not threatening to their chins. This way, we know that we’re in no way doing something that can make them uncomfortable or cause any harm to them in some way.
Pet them instead of hugging them
Human expressions of affection may not be the same for dogs, which we need to consider. Things like kissing or hugging could create extreme stress levels for dogs, even if they don’t believe us. Now imagine working with a pet that’s not familiar to you, and you’re worrying him out. It’s possible to get into a hazardous situation, especially if you’re talking about children interacting with the dog. Dr. Yin recommends always petting instead of cuddling or doing anything else.
Do not touch them if they’re nervous.
Watching your dog’s behavior will determine whether they would like to be loved or not. It could be that they’re not keen on meeting you or are anxious since nobody knows how to interact with strangers positively all the time. If you notice that your dog isn’t ready to spend time with you, best not to make them engage in activities they aren’t willing to do. A crucial part of Dr. Yang’s suggestions is to hire only when we can find them at ease and content and, if not, then observe them.
