Why Dogs DO NOT WANT TO SMELL YOUR HAND and Why doing so is a bad idea!
When dogs meet each they never sniff each others paws! Dogs head straight for the jackpot-the genital region. Why is it a jackpot? Smelling the "private parts" area provides a myriad of information for a dog such as: What SEX the other dog is How OLD the other dog is What the other dog's STATUS is How HEALTHY the other dog is Is the other dog ready to BREED Your hand has no such vital information on it! Holding a hand out for sniffing is NOT A GOOD IDEA because; 1) People stiffen up and to dogs that means you are a FOE or 2) Submissive dogs perceive your stiff hand as a display of your dominance It has been floated as true and correct that after you allow a dog to sniff you that you can then pat the dog. Says who? Certainly there is no dog rule stating that if you let them smell your hand that they suddenly like you and want you to molest them. So always be sure by ASKing the Dog and that it says YES before you touch! If the answer is NO-Try not to take it personally. You don't want everyone you meet to touch you so why should a dog have to? Also when dogs are engaged in other activities like watching you intently so you will throw their ball for example, they don't want to be touched. Same as if you are watching a movie and someone decides to come up and touch you. |
Asking only the owner if it is OK to pat their dog is like asking this dog if you can pat his Dog Dad.
Remember that you are stranger to every dog and like us, many dogs DO NOT WANT TO BE TOUCHED BY STRANGERS without the dog's permission- so ask the owner then ASK the DOG Its EASY! HOW TO: Tap the side of your leg like a wagging tail, speak happily in a high pitch voice and relax. This displays to the dog that you are a friend. Never reach out, let the dog come to you. (Dogs do not want to sniff your hand*) The Dog will then Answer YES, NO or I NEED TO GET TO KNOW YOU BETTER ANSWERS: YES-Please Pat Me The dog will relax, wiggle its body and may lean on you, smile, put its ears back, nuzzle your hand NO-Please Do Not Touch Me The dog will not come over to you, the dog will avoid you I Need More Time-Please Do Not Touch Me Until I AM Sure About You The dog will sniff you legs stiffly. Continue to talk and tap and allow the dog to warm up to you. Never push an interaction! Strangers can be dangerous so some dogs are very wary. Pushing an interaction can force the dog to bite you defensively! |