Introducing Yourself to a Dog

[Onomea]

Palm up or palm down? Why?

Palm up to show you have no stick or stone with which to whack him?

Palm down so she knows you can't grab her by the snout?

Gentlemen, what does your dog say?

 

[timn8er]

I will generally offer the pup a closed hand to sniff, in case the pup is nervous & wants to nip or bite, so that my fingers are a little more protected. If that goes well then I will open my hand. If the dog seems receptive then I might scratch its ears, something that I've yet to meet a dog that doesn't like!

 

[Fishinfool]

I don't know dogs think in the abstract to the point they try to figure out what your hand position means, unless they have been regularly hit or slapped.

When meeting an adult dog for the first time, I like to be sitting - a non threatening position, and let the dog come to me and sniff.

I used to own a German Shepherd that got his kicks running up to people he didn't know, and intimidating them by growling and barking, but not biting. I swear he would smile at the terrified reactions he got. The only thing he loved more was tennis balls.

When introducing him to someone new, I would have them sit on the couch with a tennis ball, and instruct them to say his name, then throw the ball. Max would come running into the room, all piss and vinegar, until he seen the tennis ball, then he would make instant friends.

Larry

 

[NCTexan]

I generally will introduce myself to a strange dog by slowly putting my hand out palm side down and fingers curled in to let the pup smell the top of my hand.

This reduces the unlikely chance of getting a finger nipped... but more importantly shows the dog that I am not trying to grab at him. I believe that they see this as a less active and more passive action by a big stranger looming over them.

However, I must say that I am NOT a dog whisperer... but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

 

[islamoradamark]

i say hi im islamoradamark do ya wanna go fishing and diving then we will go somewhere good for lunch

 

[Biggfoot44]

As noted palm down, generally with fingers in. Offer from a few feet away , the the dog make the aproach.

Reversing the situation , Bear , a Flat Coated retriever we once owned ( more like other way around) would bark if anyone even slowed down to the speedlimit on our road. If they drove onto Bears's property , he would circle the car. If they got out of the car he would circle them from a distance. Now if they tried to take a step after exiting the car , he would very vocally display his dental work at close range. But once Mrs Biggfoot or I touched them and anounced "Friend" , then Bear licked them , and wanted his ears scratched and belly rubbed.

But use harsh words to the then small kids , and Bear would sit down in front of them and give me a look.

 

[macski222]

Palm down, fingers in for me. I'm a dog person and dogs tend to respond positively to me, but on the off chance that one doesn't, I want to keep my fingers and not let Kujo have them.

 

[ralph7]

Palm up and out with fingers extended always worked for me. I've never been afraid of strange dogs, but I did have one encounter I remember.

I was mowing a yard across town and the wheel fell off my mower. I went next door to a mobile home surrounded by chain link fence and walked up on the porch that was inhabitated by a large Rottweiler. He seemed friendly enough as I knocked on the door. No one answered, so I turned to leave and the dog gently put his mouth around my ankle and only tightened when I tried to leave.
I decided to knock on the door much louder and finally had a woman answer.

Might have been there a long time if nobody was home.

 

[Hapworth]

The first step is asking the owner if it's okay to meet the dog -- that's the best way to determine if the pup's safe to approach.

Next up, distance and offering a hand to sniff, letting the dog decide if he/she wants to meet you. If they walk up, great; if not, leave 'em be.

If they do walk up, gentle talk and normal, average hand movement after they've sniffed and given no sign of alert or aggression. A friendly command like "sit" is good, if followed, to determine if they're accepting you.

Of course, many good dogs'll just walk up and start smooching/cuddling/playing right off the bat -- that's pretty good sign, too.

 

[sasu]

I squat down, put my arms between my knees, look down, turn the side of my head to the dog thus exposing my neck and take care not to show my teeth. This show of submission usually calms the dog and it makes the approach on its own terms.

This would be a really bad approach if the dog is really on the attack. Never encountered such a dog, yet.

 

[DeadAye]

The first step is asking the owner if it's okay to meet the dog -- that's the best way to determine if the pup's safe to approach.

....

"Does your dog bite?"
"No"
"Owwwwwwwwww! Hey! You said your dog doesn't bite!"
"That's not my dog."

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Pugsters don't care. Just don't interrupt her dog pic browsing on Smith & Wesson Forum or you may see the muzzle end of her 65.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Same was as to a pig. First get verrrry drunk and then send a drink over to her.

 

[UncleEd]

I understand that trying to pet a dog by bringing your hand above his head can be resented as some dogs see it as a domination move.

Better to try and pet it by placing hand below its head and it helps if you aren't towering over it.

Same thing works in a bikers' bar. Bring hand over guy's head a no-no. Pet him under the chin it's a yes-yes.

 

[ditrina]

Same was as to a pig. First get verrrry drunk and then send a drink over to her.

Soooooooooooooooo very glad to see your back

 

[JohnSW]

I talk to the dog, so he can "read" the nonthreatening tone of my voice. I crouch down (less threatening) and introduce my hand palm side down, so the dog knows that I don't intend to grab him. I am right handed, so I introduce myself with my left hand, just to be on the safe side.

If I have the owner's permission to pet the dog, I scratch the dog's chest. That way, the dog can keep track of my hand, so he doesn't feel threatened.

 

[timn8er]

Soooooooooooooooo very glad to see your back

Have we started a pool yet?

 

[cowart]

When meeting an adult dog for the first time, I like to be sitting - a non threatening position, and let the dog come to me and sniff.

It works even better if you sit *facing away* from the dog. Thats about as non-threatening as you can get.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I carry dog treats when I'm working. Hand the dog one and no introduction necessary. They immediately know I'm a friend.

 

[shouldazagged]

I asked my dog. He said, "Who cares? Let's play!" He likes almost everyone, especially women and kids. He even likes the mail carrier.

With strange dogs, if their posture and expression appears friendly and the owner doesn't object I generally use the open-palm-up style with the hand held below the dog's face level unless it's one of the little fifteen-to-the-bushel critters that I can't reach.