HOW to Greet a Dog -

[Taz_Zoee]

The reach your hand out so they can sniff is the most common thing you see people do. In fact I do it too! But I'd never approach a dog without asking the owner if it's okay in the first place. At the dog park I don't approach dogs. I let them approach me then I'll pet them if they want it.

I've come across children who are obviously taught puppy manners by their parents. They ask if they can pet the dog first. That's the BEST thing to teach a child, along with the above items.

[pomtzu]

That's great info, Sandie. I for one, am guilty of bending over and letting them sniff my hand, but I don't try to touch them unless the owner gives the okay. And the only place I do this, is at the vet's office or Petsmart, since I have no need to go to a dog park and I don't live in the burbs where there are a lot of dogs being walked.
Heck - even your own dogs can be unpredictable. One of my RB Lhasas sent me to the ER to have my lip stitched up, after I put my face right up to his. My fault tho - he was growling and telling me to back off, but I didn't listen to his message, so I paid the price.

[Freedom]

We often encounter the same children as we walk the neighborhood; and we have a large apartment complex we walk through so the children change. I always instruct them to ask first before petting. If the same child doesn't "get' it after 2 different times, I won't allow that child to pet my pups the third time, lol. One little girl got upset and ran and told her mum. Cute little 4 year old, told her mom the WHOLE story! Mom came over and thanked me for not letting her pet them ha ha haaaa

[Jessika]

I would also love to add to that -- ask permission first before coming up to a dog and petting it! For children mostly, but adults too. I was recently at a pet event with Jamie and while she is VERY well behaved and tolerant of strangers petting and hugging on her, many many MANY children would just run up to her and hug on her or pet her (some out of nowhere) and the parents didn't even correct them! But many children did ask permission first (and I thanked them for it!). I know that Jamie is fine, but what if she had been a face-shy dog? That child would have been bit, and I would have been the "bad guy"! And not to mention, it's just the polite thing to do.

[Karen]

Anyone who wants can use me - yes, me - as an example.

When I was 4 years old, a neighbor dog who I had only ever seen over the fence before got loose and ran into my yard. Reggie was a smallish dog, maybe small beagle size but skinnier, a little terrier mix. Being the child I was I told him to sit and then gave him a big hug. He instantly chomped down on my face - my bottom lip to be exact, and I let go, cried out and was just stunned! As my mother was trying to wipe the blood of my face as I cried, I clearly remember her telling me, "Karen, not all dogs are hugging dogs. You always have to ask permission. Reggie probably thought you were trying to squeeze him to death, he just bit so you would let go."

And if you meet me in person, I can show you the scar to this very day. It's only obvious when I make certain faces, but it IS there!

[pomtzu]

And if you meet me in person, I can show you the scar to this very day. It's only obvious when I make certain faces, but it IS there!

Same here Karen, but in the years since the bite, I have acquired a lot more lines so it's hard to tell one from the other - bite line from age line. Mine runs from just below my nose into my top lip, since when he latched on to me I pulled back in surprise, so it was a nice tear. Talk about a fat lip..........

[Suki Wingy]

I usually squat down to the dog's level enough away from them so that I don't scare them with the downward motion, then extend a closed fist for them to come to. And I never ever put my hand above their face unless I slide it from their neck up to their back.