A stranger should not just approach a dog and touch it. Photo: dpa
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We might think patting a strange dog on the head is inoffensive and can only build trust. But many dogs – and their owners – don’t take kindly to this and other over-familiar gestures.
“A stranger should not just approach a dog and want to touch it,” says Barbara Schoening, a veterinarian specialising in behavioural science.
People especially like to stroke cute fluffy dogs without asking the owner. But because they don’t know its likes or dislikes, the animal can feel threatened and can react aggressively.
Unknown dogs are best just observed. If one approaches you in the park, it doesn’t mean that it wants to be petted, as dogs are often just curious.
“I would let a strange dog sniff and then move on if necessary,” adds Schoening.
Even if you are comfortable with our canine friends and feel drawn to a certain dog, always ask the owner for permission before engaging with it.
“As a rule, the owner knows best where and how his dog likes to be touched. There’s no right or wrong,” says the vet.
But what do you do as an owner if someone pats your dog without being asked and you don’t want that? Some experts recommend a simple “My dog doesn’t like it when he’s petted”, but this doesn’t always work.
“I would just say my dog has fleas or it bites,” says Rene Luczyk, who runs a dog school in Olfen, Germany.
When you visit dog owners at home, the animal has time to get used to your presence and may approach you. That’s your cue to carefully start petting it, but pay attention to the signals.
If the dog wants to be touched, it will look relaxed and press closer to you. Its body should also feel relaxed to the touch.
But if the dog is tense, don’t touch. This is indicated by a slightly averted head and a visible tensing of its body.
“As soon as dogs turn away, they want to get out of the situation,” says Luczyk.
Squinting eyes, ears pointing backwards or the animal standing motionless are also red flags.
“Many dogs freeze if something makes them uncomfortable,” says Justina Lempe, founder of the Free Dog School Berlin.
She also advises dog lovers to wait for an animal to approach them. When you visit dog owners, you can sit down at the table and see how the pet reacts. It can then crawl under the table and slowly approach you.
Since canine signals are not easy to recognise for people without dog experience or children, caution is crucial. This also applies to those oh-so-cute puppies which, the experts warn, will more readily bite hands. “Young dogs prefer to play,” says Lempe.
Many dogs will roll over and present their belly, which is a clear sign they want to be petted there. If it’s clear that a dog would like some attention, it’s best to crouch down instead of bending over it, which can be perceived as a threat. Then you should let it sniff your hand first, says Luczyk.
However, Lempe says canines can smell very well from 2m away and can check you out without you approaching: “From the dog’s point of view that’s very impolite because it’s a forward movement into its space.”
A dog will yawn or lick its nose if it wants more distance.
Don’t stare a strange dog in the eye and it’s best not to stroke its face, head or belly. Hugs are also taboo as the dog feels restricted and can react aggressively. And leave the dog completely alone when it’s eating, as it may defend its food.
Even after the ice is broken and Fido invites you to pet him, don’t pat his sides, which Luczyk regards as a “terrible habit”. No dog likes that and, in the worst case, it can lead to internal injuries. – dpa/Silvia Hartwig
