Hey Woofa’s,

If you love dogs, then you want to pet them!  It’s as simple as that!

However, some dogs don’t want to be petted and we need to respect that.

So the whole, put the hand out so the dog can sniff you, thing, is not the best way.

Seriously, the dog can smell you from miles away, their noses are THAT good.  Putting your hand in their face doesn’t make your smell any different.

For some dogs this is very invasive behaviour.

Imagine, if every time you met someone they invaded your personal space.  I mean stood right up to you almost nose to nose, whether you knew them or not!

How would that make you feel?   Uncomfortable, who the hell are you, get out of my face – are just a few thoughts that come to mind.

Well dogs feel too and not ALL dogs want a hand shoved in their face.  This action may even cause some dogs to bite, purely because it makes them feel threatened.

Why am I telling you this?

My friend recently shared with me, that this is how the dog trainers that came to her daughter’s school, taught the kids how to approach a dog!!!!! By putting your hand out!!!!!!!

A NOTE ABOUT THE ABOVE PICTURE!

This is NOT the way to approach a dog.

The dog in this picture I have been grooming for at least 3-4 years.

It has taken me THAT long to establish a trusting bond with her.  I ALWAYS wait for Coco to come to me.  She’s not vicious by any means however, she’s never been a dog that’s lovey dovey.

This last groom session we had was the very first time she came up to me and gave me kisses.

I was brushing her and SHE came to ME.  This showed me she was happy to give me kisses.

Which is why her owner took the picture, she couldn’t believe it.  Coco doesn’t do that to anyone.  I’ve finally gained her trust.

Will I shove my face in her face NEVER, our bond is on her terms in the sense that when she’s ready, she’ll come to me.

IT’S ALL IN THE BODY LANGUAGE – YOURS AND THE DOGS!

When a dog comes to my Grooming salon, the first thing I ask the owners to do is allow their dog to sniff around my front yard (on a lead of course).

This allows the dog to become familiar with the smells.

I do not approach their dog!

I greet them by saying, Hey Fluffy, but I don’t engage in any other way.  Even if they run up for a quick sniff and then run back again.

I give them space and time to check out this new environment and to check me out too.

Even when they enter the salon, the lead comes off and they have a sniff around there too.

All the while I’m noticing their body language.  Are they confident dogs, i.e. leave their owner to go and sniff?  Or do they cower by their owners legs too scared to move?

Their body language tells me a lot about how I’m going to approach them in order to groom them.

TIPS ON THE BEST WAY TO APPROACH A DOG!

1. DON’T APPROACH THE DOG – let the dog come to you and suss you out first.    They may sniff around your legs and that’s fine, let them.  Stay relaxed and chat to the owner.
2. DOGS DON’T NEED TO SNIFF YOUR HAND – humans have roughly 6 million smell receptors in their noses, dogs have around 300 million!!  So they already know your smell, no need to stick your hand in their face. The structure of their nose and how it works is amazing! Click Here to read more!
3. READ THE DOG’S BODY LANGUAGE – The dog will make it pretty clear whether they want to approach you or not!
4. ALWAYS ASK THE OWNER OF THE DOG – if their dog is open to being petted!  Even though dogs are cute, not all dogs are friendly to strangers approaching them.
5. DO NOT FORCE A GREETING – with the dog.  A dog will not approach you, or will avoid you if it doesn’t want to be petted.  Don’t force yourself into the dog’s space.
6. NEVER APPROACH A WORKING/THERAPY DOG – As tempting as it is stay away from another persons therapy or working dog, including guide dogs.  These dogs are generally in work mode and their owners need them on their game.
7. IF THE DOG IS HAPPY AND HAS INDICATED – YAY I WANT TO BE PETTED – the best places I found are a good light scratch behind the ears or on the top of the bottom at the start of their tail.  Some dogs while are happy to be petted, don’t like being petted on their head.
8. DON’T STAND OVER A DOG – while you are petting them either, it can come across as threatening behaviour.
9. TEACH YOUR KIDS – how to be safe around all dogs.
10. AVOID PETTING A DOG IF IT HAS FOOD IN IT’S MOUTH – most dogs will think you’re going for the food.
11. DON’T PET A DOG IF IT’S ASLEEP – this dog may wake up feeling threatened and on guard and could end in a bite.

What we want to achieve is a friendly and fun interaction for all involved.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

We smell and dogs know it!  There’s no need to shove our hand in their face.

Always let the dog come to you a few times AND read it’s body language.

Always ask the owner of the dog if the dog is approachable.

Teach kids to do this as well.

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – IF YOUR DOG/S LIKE TO BE PETTED?

Cheers