Greeting a Dog 101

Every year, Cocheco Valley Humane Society holds a fundraising event called “Give Thanks for Pets.” Taking place in the Fox Run Mall in Newington in front of JC Penney, this annual event runs every weekend from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Although we do sell toys and treats for pets, the main focus of this event is on our famous Kissing Booth Dogs. Friendly dogs that are owned by CVHS volunteers, Kissing Booth Dogs are on hand to snuggle with weary holiday shoppers.

Whenever we have the Kissing Booth Dogs on hand, we like to use the opportunity to educate the public about how to properly greet a dog. Surprisingly, it’s adults, not children, which have the most difficulty following the guidelines for greeting a dog. With that in mind, “Greeting a Dog 101” has become our go-to demonstration at every humane education presentation we offer, whether the audience is full of preschool children or senior citizens.

The first rule of greeting any dog is to ask permission from the owner. I have a not-so-friendly paralyzed dachshund that, because of her condition, travels with me in a carrier strapped to my chest like a baby. For some reason, people assume that, because she is in a carrier instead of on a leash, they can reach out and grab her. This sort of unwanted attention causes my dog to panic and me, of course, to turn into The Hulk. More than just politeness, asking permission before touching an animal is also important for your own safety. Animals that are uncomfortable around strangers may respond aggressively. Always respect what a pet owner tells you – ignoring their request to not touch their pet could be dangerous.

Once you’ve received permission, be sure to introduce yourself to the dog before touching them. Offer the dog your hand and wait for them to sniff it before trying to touch them. Remember that the back of your hand smells like you and your palm smells like all the wonderful things you touched and ate during the day. Although the dog will definitely be interested in your palm, be sure you offer them the back of your hand instead so they can smell you and not your last meal.

After the dog has sniffed your hand, pet them under the chin instead of on top of the head. Placing your hand on top of a dog’s head is a sign of dominance and can make them nervous since they can’t see what you’re doing. Look to the owner to find out what areas the dog does and does not like to be touched. While some dogs love a good belly rub, others might be uncomfortable. Never touch a dog’s paws, tail, or ears.

Remember to go slow and keep calm. Don’t run up to a strange dog or wrap your arms around them to give them a bear hug. No matter how friendly a dog may be, you should always approach them cautiously and remain calm when petting them. Speaking loudly, squealing, or moving too quickly can make dogs nervous and reactive. Use a quiet voice whenever you’re around animals to avoid startling them.

Finally, be sure to give the dog space.  It’s not okay to put your face into the face of a dog – especially one that is not familiar with you. Say “hello,” pet them a few times, and then let them come to you if they decide they want more attention.

Want to test your dog greeting skills? Stop by JC Penney in the Fox Run Mall any weekend between now and Christmas and meet our fabulous Kissing Booth Dogs – they’ll be happy to let you practice saying “hello”!

 Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cat, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org