HOW to Greet a Dog -

[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.