Would you risk it?
- Thread starter Cee Gee
- Start date
Judycat
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pennsylvania
Dogs generally don't like strangers trying to pet them. I learned this the hard way. They don't like being stared at by strangers either. They also interpret smiling as snarling. They can smell nervous tension on your breath too. Anything else?
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
No, I wouldn't risk it.
If a new dog appears calm, I just extend my hand, palm down.
If it sniffs my fingers without signs of fear or anger, I'll slowly turn my hand over, palm side up, and let it sniff awhile longer.
If it's still interested and without fear or aggression, I'll slowly sneak a finger to softly stroke the side of it's face or behind the ear. Then I can slowly go into full pet mode.
Like @Judycat said, don't stare or smile. Like @Pinky said, watch the body language. I also won't bring my hand down over it's head to pat it as my first move.
If a new dog appears calm, I just extend my hand, palm down.
If it sniffs my fingers without signs of fear or anger, I'll slowly turn my hand over, palm side up, and let it sniff awhile longer.
If it's still interested and without fear or aggression, I'll slowly sneak a finger to softly stroke the side of it's face or behind the ear. Then I can slowly go into full pet mode.
Like @Judycat said, don't stare or smile. Like @Pinky said, watch the body language. I also won't bring my hand down over it's head to pat it as my first move.
I also do what you do, RR .. let it sniff my hand first, and never put my hand over it's head.
JaniceM
Well-known Member
- Location
- still lost between two shores..
I'd stand far enough back until I see how it acted before touching it.
Judycat
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pennsylvania
Devil Dog has nice clean teeth.
applecruncher
SF VIP
- Location
- Ohio USA
I never, ever pet or touch a strange dog.
Ruth n Jersey
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern New Jersey
Exactly what I would do.
In The Sticks
Friend of Frank
Reminds me of The Pink Panther.
"That is not my dog."
I had a friend with a toy poodle who was like that. I've never been around a dog that was so unapproachable.
"That is not my dog."
I had a friend with a toy poodle who was like that. I've never been around a dog that was so unapproachable.
Lakeland living
Life is good
- Location
- Ontario Canada
Never ever approach a strange dog.
Never ever let an untrained dog near you.
Many people should not be allowed to have dogs...cruelty to animals.
Never ever let an untrained dog near you.
Many people should not be allowed to have dogs...cruelty to animals.
I look for body language from the dog and next look for the owners. If owners aren’t around then I am not approaching a stray dog unless it’s in serious trouble. If the owners are around and specifically let me know that their dog is friendly and don’t mind me approaching it, then I follow RR’s directions of first letting the dog smell the back of my hand and take it from there.
During this pandemic I stay away from all dogs except my own. Plus I have VERY jealous dogs. They don’t like their mommy petting ‘other dogs.’ Those last two words are swear words to their ears.
During this pandemic I stay away from all dogs except my own. Plus I have VERY jealous dogs. They don’t like their mommy petting ‘other dogs.’ Those last two words are swear words to their ears.
MickaC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Manitoba, Canada
Sorry you experienced a bite.....and from a corgi. Corgis are usually called people dogs, but there's always that one, wonder if he/she was in a guarding mode.I am a real dog lover and cannot pass a dog without making friends, usually with good results but not in this case. I recently got nipped by a Corgi that appeared friendly. lucky for me it did not break my skin.
MickaC
Well-known Member
- Location
- Manitoba, Canada
Staying on the breed, my corgi, when we're out and about, she will start the butt wiggle and happy face if she sees someone a block away, now if someone goes right on by without paying any mind to her, she will get into quite a pout mode, she thinks everyone should pay attention to her, being the queen she thinks she is. 
When anyone comes to the house, she runs to get a toy, she thinks they came to play with her.............Getting back to strange dogs, i always ask first before making contact, then do the same approach that many of you mentioned.
When anyone comes to the house, she runs to get a toy, she thinks they came to play with her.............Getting back to strange dogs, i always ask first before making contact, then do the same approach that many of you mentioned.
jujube
SF VIP
I got nailed by what looked like a very friendly dog several years ago. Just a minor bite on the wrist, not much blood. The dog's owner took full responsibility, immediately produced the dog's shot records and said he'd pay any medical bills. I had no ill-effects from the bite. All I was concerned about was the rabies certificate.
It did make me more cautious about petting strange dogs, though.
I petted a sweet one last night. He went into "wiggle-mode" when I was half a block away. There was no way I was going to disappoint him.
It did make me more cautious about petting strange dogs, though.
I petted a sweet one last night. He went into "wiggle-mode" when I was half a block away. There was no way I was going to disappoint him.
RadishRose
SF VIP
- Location
- Connecticut, USA
I never try to make friends and pet a dog who is not on leash.
Absolutely correct.
Judycat
Well-known Member
- Location
- Pennsylvania
Ah dogs. They could kill you if they wanted to. Cats want to kill and snack on you but they can't.