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Training
Tip: Greeting a Strange Dog
How to greet
a strange dog
Any strange dog
There has recently
been publicity about 2 dog related incidents; one was McDonald's
pulling an ad that said petting a stray pit bull was risky, and
another was a news anchor getting bitten by a dog on the air.
Unfortunately,
it was a power breed that bit the anchor woman. However, it could
have just as easily been a Chihuahua, a Labrador or a mutt. She
interacted with this dog by trying to keep his head cupped in
her hands and leaning into him, and eventually putting her face
in his face "to get a kiss". This dog had never been
in a TV studio, was throwing body language trying to let her
know how uncomfortable he was, but his signals were ignored by
all the humans there. Though she meant no harm, from the dog's
point of view it obviously felt threatening.
There is a
long standing belief that as long as you put your open hand (and
some think a closed fist) out so a dog can smell you, you have
been properly introduced. What if the dog is head-shy? What if
you put your hand out too quickly and directly at the dog's face?
Have you ever seen dogs greet each other like that? (we'll skip
the butt-sniff jokes for now)
So how do you
greet a dog? It's easy
You don't. You let the dog greet
you. Stand slightly sidewise to the dog, don't look at him straight
in the eyes, stay upright, and let him come to you. When he does
don't take that as an invitation to lean over him and start petting.
Let him/her smell you and get used to you. If this is a friendly
dog and the owner says it's ok, you can open your hand next to
you, not thrusting it toward the dog, and when the dog puts his
muzzle in your hand lightly touch him on the side of the head
or under the chin. Keep it short and sweet-count to 2-and then
resume ignoring him. This makes sense to a dog. Coming straight
at a dog, speaking in a high-pitched voice, looming over him,
reaching over his head to pat him, grabbing him around the neck
are all signals of possible aggression in the dog world, and
if this is a shy dog he may perceive you that way. If you see
the dog stretching out to smell you looking like he's ready to
beat a hasty retreat, just stand there and ignore him the whole
time.
What if he
smells you and then backs up and barks at you? Completely ignore
him. Turn your head to the side and up, or turn your back to
him. Wait for him to calm down and then just walk away. This
helps a shy dog learn that barking won't make you go away but
calming down will. Don't try to "win him over" because
you can amp up his stress level.
Remember, there
is no law that says all dogs need or want to be touched by a
stranger.
Training
Tip: Are you prasing fear?
Were
humans. We need to sooth those of us who are in need, distressed,
or troubled. We do that by talking in a low, soothing voice,
and we say things like, Its ok. Its just a
storm. It cant hurt you, or Oh sweety. You
dont have to be afraid of that doggy. Hes a nice
doggy. Now show of hands, how many of you have done the
same thing with your dog? Come on. Raise your hand.
Though we have
the best of intentions what we are actually doing by soothing
our dogs is reinforcing their fear. Since dogs cannot speak English
all they absorb is that nice, praising voice so that must mean
that you approve and desire that fearful behavior. Think about
it. While youre talking to them, in your nicest voice,
explaining why your dog doesnt need to be afraid, theyre
hearing, Good dog. Be afraid. Fear makes me happy
because thats the tone you use when youre pleased
with them.
So the next time your dog shows fear just ignore it. Set a good
example by not reacting to the thing that is making them afraid.
Be calm and patient and let your dog decide if he/she wants anything
to do with that scary thing. Let them start from a great distance
if necessary and approach that scary monster under their own
steam. It may take a few minutes or it may take dozens of exposures,
but if you are patient and calm and your dog conquers that fear
they will trust you so much more. When your dog starts to show
a little bravery by leaning towards the scary thing thats
when you should calmly and quietly say, Good dog.
Remember to
praise what you want and ignore what you dont want.
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