Greeting a Dog to Prevent Bites
Let’s face it. We may get overly excited when we see a dog! However, the act of greeting a dog (whether it be one you just met or are already familiar with) could pose some threats. Dogs of any breed or size may consider hugs and kisses or hands thrown in their faces as an alarming act. This article will provide some tips on how you can successfully greet a dog without scaring them and/or getting injured.
The big truth is that most dog bites are induced by fear. They occur because humans fail to recognize the signs of fear in dogs. One of the biggest mistakes is that people think that all dogs should be friendly all the time. People never know if the dog is experiencing anxiety and whatnot!
Learning to read a dog’s body language is the best thing that you can do. You should never approach a dog that is:
- Yawning
- Has a tense body
- Staring intently at you
- Backing away
- Pulling back his head/ears
- Has a stiff tail
It is important to know that if a dog wants a pet, they will lean toward you. Give them space and be patient.
Assume that dogs see you as an intruder. If this is the case, you will need to earn the dog’s trust. Never thrust your hand out at a dog. A fearful dog is intimidated by this action. Avoid making loud noises and staring into the dog’s eyes. It is best to stand by the dog’s side and never pull or tug at the tail or ears.
Most dog bites are not spontaneous. There may be something in your own body language that pushes an intimidated dog to bite. Bit prevention can be as simple as thinking about how the dog feels, keenly observing their body language, and letting them approach you first. Avoid rushing the process. It will not help in the end!
