Be - Friending a Dog
As a proud pet owner, you would agree that some barking, leash pulling, and sometimes even mess is a small price to pay for the unconditional love and happiness your pet gives you. Training your pet is easy, and most of us get it right. But, what if you are an ardent pet lover and you want to befriend other pet dogs / strays? Here are some tips that would befriend a dog fairly simple:
- Ask the owner for permission to pet the dog.
- Be cautious if the dog has no owner.
- Back off if the dog shows signs of aggression or discomfort.
- Bend over or squat to invite dogs to approach.
- See whether the dog is comfortable.(not stiff or tense,or if it makes brief eye contact, or if it wags its tail, it is probably comfortable with you.)
- Stroke the dog around the ears.(Dogs loves it!)
- Learn the dog's sweet spots.
- Move on to other areas.
- Many dogs enjoy being scratched at the top of their back, on either side of the spine. The front end near the neck and shoulders has a lower chance of making the dog anxious than the back end near the tail and hind legs. Stay away from the dog's legs, tail, and private parts.
- Friendly dogs may enjoy being pet under the chin or on the chest, but others dislike strangers reaching near their jaw.
- Stop if the dog reacts poorly. Be aware that some dogs are "head-shy" and do not like being petted on top of the head. Some dogs dislike having their hind-ends petted, or dislike other areas being touched. Any growl, tail down or sudden moves should signal that you need to stop what you are doing immediately!
