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Proper Dog Introduction. How to introduce yourself to a dog? When they see a dog, most people jump on it to smother it with cuddles and kisses, but maybe we have to think the dog does not like that approach.
Sniffing your hand is a common mistake in “introducing” yourself to a dog.
A popular Facebook post on the Facebook page of Eureka Dog Services, a dog training company, debunks a cliché: reaching out to be sniffed is not the right way to ‘introduce’ yourself to a new dog.
Tamar Geller is a dog trainer with A-list clients such as Ben Affleck, Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon, Mark Wahlberg and their four-legged friends. Commented to ‘People’
“In human culture, extending our hand to someone we’ve just met signifies friendship, so naturally, we do that with dogs when we meet them for the first time.”
“When you approach a dog, you use body pressure on him. So you deny him time to assess whether you are harmless or whether he needs further investigation to gather your information.
Dog trainer: ‘Holding out your hand is NOT the right way to introduce yourself to a dog’
You are forcing the interaction of a relationship without time to develop, reads the Eureka Dog Services post.
Dogs can get scared when someone approaches them with their hand, and I don’t recommend doing that unless you’re holding a super tasty treat; to send the message that you’re a source of pleasure.
Geller said that having a treat and offering it to the dog, even just throwing it to him (without looking directly at him), is a fantastic gesture of friendship.
What is the right way?
The most crucial step before approaching a dog you’ve never met is to ask permission to touch the dog, even if you think ‘all dogs love you because each puppy is unique and has its comfort level with strangers.
Geller commented that strangers might not be comfortable touching the dog and may freeze, run away, or bite.
“All three behaviours are due to one reason: the dog felt nervous about being touched by a stranger. A bit like us if a strange person starts touching us”.
If you get permission to introduce yourself to a new dog, Geller recommends doing things calmly and focusing on body language.
Second step: body language
It is much easier to communicate when you know each other’s language; in this case, dog language is based on body posture and facial expressions.
The right thing to do is turn your body and face at a 45-degree angle and smile. A dog naturally knows it cannot become prey to someone not looking at it.
The trainer explained that with this information and feeling a little more secure, he could start investigating the new person who had entered his space.
Do not stare at the dog or try to force an interaction. If the dog wants to get to know you, it will come to you and sniff around. Usually, a friendly dog will walk away and return for a second sniff.
- Read more: How to Defend Against a Dog Attacked.
Some dogs may touch your hands lightly and wag their tails, which is a positive sign that you will likely be accepted as a new friend. Please give it a few slow strokes on the back (NOT on the head) and then stop.
Is the dog happy? Has he accepted your interaction? This will determine whether you can give him more strokes,” advises Eureka Dog Services.
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