For many of us, it is natural to want to pet every cute dog we walk past. But this might not be welcome or wise in every situation.
Some dogs will act aggressively if approached, especially by a stranger. This can happen for many reasons including illness, pain, or anxiety. For everyone’s safety, it is best to ask an owner’s permission and familiarize yourself with the basics of canine body language.
Ask Permission Before Approaching a Dog
It is not only polite (but safer) to ask an owner permission prior to petting or approaching a dog––even a small dog. An owner may reveal his dog isn’t confident or anxious around strangers. Some owners may even inform you of their dog’s previous bite history. If you have your own dog with you, extra care must be taken before approaching another dog due to the potential for inter-dog aggression or conflict.
While we may feel disappointed by these responses, we must do our best to refrain from taking them personally. These pet owners are being responsible by being honest about their dog’s behavior and tendencies. Thus, we must also strive to be non-judgmental and understanding in response.
Every pet owner loves his pet and wants to see the best in him. An owner may assure you, “My dog is friendly and never bites.” Please remember, regardless of what an owner says, it is responsible to err on the side of caution and treat each dog and interaction as unique.
Understand All Breeds Can Be Dangerous
There are many stereotypes about dog breeds and aggression.
While a larger dog can inflict more damage compared to a small dog in terms of bite force, aggressive tendencies cannot be predicted solely based on the breed of a dog. Research shows while “many physical traits were associated with breeds, behavior was much more variable among individual dogs.” In other words, not all Rottweilers are dangerous – but not all Springer Spaniels are friendly, either. Friendliness is on a dog-by-dog basis.
We must focus on the present behavior of the specific dog in each situation as well as any known historical behavior when determining a dog’s risk of aggression.
Recognize When to Avoid Petting a Dog
While these dogs are often friendly, service animals are working dogs, and it is not appropriate to pet them without asking permission first. These dogs often have a vest indicating they are service animals. Service dogs are “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” These dogs provide potentially life-saving care to their owners or handlers. By petting a service dog without permission, you may inadvertently distract them, which may put their owner in harm’s way. If you want to approach a service dog, always speak to his owner first.
Understand the Basics of Dog Body Language
Understanding a dog’s body language can help you assess whether or not to interact with it. Consider the following:
Signs a Dog Feels Happy or Relaxed
One of the cutest positions a dog can exhibit is the play bow. When a dog wants to play, he will place his chest low to the ground and butt in the air.
Another positive type of body language is when a dog rolls over on his back, exposing his belly. This is an ultimate sign of vulnerability and shows he trusts you.
A more subtle characteristic of a dog who is happy or relaxed is in his eyes. A calm dog will have relaxed eyelids and a gentle gaze.
Signs a Dog Feels Threatened
Most dogs do not bite or attack out of the blue. They typically give a series of warning signs and interpretation must be based on the sequence of behaviors. You should steer clear of a dog that warns you by:
- Barking non-stop with a stiff body
- Showing its teeth
- Growling, whining, or yelping
- Lunging or snapping
- Raising its hackles (the hair along its back and neck)
- Hunching or cowering
- Staring at you intently
You always want to avoid confrontation with a dog, even if a bite wouldn’t do much harm. If you’re ever unsure of a dog’s emotional state, err on the side of caution and walk away.
Signs of Ambiguous Dog Behaviors
Most of us would interpret a growling dog as potentially aggressive. But there are some dog behaviors that are more difficult to interpret.
Many people assume a dog wagging its tail is a happy dog. Surprisingly, this is not always the case. Tail wagging reflects arousal. The faster a dog wags his tail, the more aroused he is. For example, a dog twitching his tail quickly may be a sign of agitation.
Some signs, like yawning or lip licking, often indicate stress. But this does not necessarily mean these dogs will become aggressive. If observed, it is best to avoid interacting with the dog as he may need space if he is feeling overwhelmed.
How to Approach a Dog Safely
Once you have deemed a dog safe to interact with after speaking to his owner and assessing his body language, you can move forward with a slow, non-threatening greeting. As with interactions between people, there are socially acceptable ways to approach dogs in a non-threatening manner.
You should greet a dog by:
- Moving slowly
- Approaching from the side (rather than head-on)
- Avoiding direct eye contact
- Letting the dog come to you
- Refraining from sudden movements
With these easy steps, you can promote a happy, friendly meeting between you and a new dog!
