Making a great first impression with a dog

Making a good first impression with a dog is all about having fun and safety. At Walk It like a

Dog, we interact with we meet for the first time. Most dogs have no problem with a casual

greeting, however proper human-to-dog manners are to be observed. To make a good first

impression, expert dog walkers Chicago suggest that you need to tailor your behavior

accordingly. Here are a safety tips for approaching a dog that is a stranger to you:

Ask the owner’s permission

The first thing you should do when approaching a stranger dog is to ask the owner if their dog is

friendly. This is a very important lesson. If you want to interact with a dog, and especially if you

have your own dog with you, it is important to ask for the owner’s permission.

Ask the dog’s permission

Even if the owner has given you permission, you cannot interact with the dog without the dog’s

permission. You must let it take its time, let it come to you and sniff you. Only afterwards can

you interact with it. If it doesn’t want to interact or is shy, do not force it. Some dogs are just

shy or moody.

What to do afterwards

Once a dog sniffs you, it will decide if it wants to interact with you. It is important to let it take

its time. Be sure not to threaten or scare it though. Direct eye contact is seen as a threat by

dogs, so it’s best to avoid it. It’s good to crouch down slowly at knee level and let the dog sniff

you. If the dog isn’t ready to interact of doesn’t want to interact, leave it be.

No hugs

Refrain from hugging a strange dog as projecting human emotions onto a dog can be a recipe

for disaster. The dog might see it as a threat and attack. After all, it is a dog and you a human.

The interaction is different from a human-to-human interaction. If you aren’t sure where to pet

the dog, let it decide for you. If the dog ducks when you pat it on the head, it doesn’t like it.

Seems you’ll have to move on. A good place to start would be where the tail meets its body.

Most dogs seem to love that.

Possession is 9/10th of the law

If the dog has a bone or a toy in its mouth, do not take it. This dog isn’t used to you and this

might make it hostile. Secondly, it is the owner’s job, not a stranger’s, to take the dog’s toy.

Expert dog walkers Chicago also suggest to check out the Yellow Dog Project. It as a fantastic

program that helps dog owners let the public know, by tying a yellow bandanna or ribbon to

their leash, they have a dog that needs its space. You can find more information about the

organization here.

The next time you’re out and about and see a dog you want to “play” with, remember these

tips and have fun!