While dogs might seem small and adorable, it’s crucial to respect their boundaries, especially when they belong to someone else.
Petting a dog you don’t know requires caution, and dog trainer Adam Spivey, the founder of Southend Dog Training, has shared some vital advice to ensure interactions stay safe for both you and the dog, Express reports.
In a TikTok video, Adam demonstrated the importance of letting the dog see your hand first. “The dog always needs to see the hand coming and you’ll see if it [the hand] is down low then it’s non-threatening,” he explained.
He then emphasized the risk of approaching a dog from above, where it might not see your hand coming. “Also, [stroking] from behind you can startle the dog,” he added.
“So always underneath and remember – you shouldn’t be stroking anybody’s dog unless the owner has given you permission.”
He wrapped up with a simple yet crucial reminder: “Always follow the owner’s instructions, because they know better than you.”
This advice resonated with TikTok users. One commented: “I always tell people this when they are petting my pups – ask them how they’d like someone reaching behind their heads.” Another shared their appreciation: “Yes I always ask the owner. I will now go underneath. Thank you, great advice.”
But not all experiences with unfamiliar dogs are positive. A third person shared a cautionary tale: “My dog seized because some guy just randomly walked up to my dog after being at the clubs in town and touched him, so he nipped him as a warning.”
A fourth user echoed frustration: “So many people these days don’t understand the principle of asking.”
Adam’s insights didn’t stop there. In another video, he cautioned: “Just because a dog approaches you, it doesn’t mean it wants stroking.”
He continued, explaining that dogs approach to investigate, not necessarily to be petted. “It is simply investigating you, through smell and you must let the dog finish sniffing before attempting to interact with a dog you don’t know. If it walks away after it’s just not that into you, but now you know.”
And, he reiterated a point that can’t be stressed enough: “Stop stroking strange dogs on the top of their heads.” This sparked a reaction from a TikTok user: “I keep saying this about my dog.
“He wants to investigate and sniff but doesn’t want to be bothered with touch and people take it so personally.”
Another user added: “It’s a constant conversation I have with people. Don’t pat/approach my dog.”
A third shared their experience with a cautious dog: “My Bully XL is very careful with strangers and she wants to smell and be sure that they are good people. I don’t let strangers touch her if someone ‘new’ comes home to us or I meet an old friend outside that she’s never met before.”
The bottom line is clear: “Some dogs are just very careful and don’t trust others. And that is something we have to respect and accept.”
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