Meeting a Dog for the First Time: What Humans Want versus What Dogs Want

We as humans encounter dogs for the first time in many different situations. It may be in a friend’s home, or while actually looking for a pet, or maybe outside at a dog park or in your neighborhood.

I have written many times on the subject of what dogs need is not always how we choose to act. To react to a dog in its own “dog language” is not only a gift of understanding, but a way to earn respect from any dog you encounter.

The scenario of humans meeting dogs usually goes something like, we encounter a dog, we use a high pitched voice and speak to the dog and bend and outreach our hands to show the dog affection. This is normal for us because this is very similar to how we greet one another, with a form of verbal greeting and a handshake or hug, etc.

Now think back on how you have observed dogs greet on another. Approaching one another, they do not meet their eyes. Instead they sniff one another. They are gathering loads of information on health, eating habits, and where this dog has traveled and what it has experienced.  Once this has been accomplished, the dogs either depart from one another and move on to something more interesting, or begin play.

To a dog, the human greeting is perceived as the human possibly being unbalanced or submissive. Using the high pitched voice is the main reason why.  Then with the reaching to pet, the dog sees a threat or aggression.  Here is where small children are bitten. And here is where the dog becomes dominate over the human.

The correct manner in which to greet a dog, to maintain a submissive and balanced frame of mind in the dog, is this: ignore the dog. When entering a friend’s home, for instance, allow the dog to approach you. Do not speak to the dog, and do not meet the dog’s eyes. Allow the dog to sniff and smell and gather information. If the dog remains calm and accepting, then petting is appropriate. Yes, it goes against our instinct to pick up and cuddle or especially for us dog lovers, to lavish attention on the dog. But thinking like a dog is doing the dog a huge favor. You are unselfish, you are earning respect and you are speaking dog language!

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 This article was written by Caroline Oldham of http://dogtrainingonlinetips.com - your online source for training tips, real life stories and advice in dealing with dogs. We ask that you consult with a professional dog trainer, veterinarian or canine behaviorist before implementing any of the advice or opinions contained on this site.