Many dog lovers can’t help but yell “So cute!” when they see a cute dog on the street. But do you know these actions can make new dogs feel very stressed or scared?

This article will share:

• 5 things not to do that are rude to dogs
• 6 steps to meet new dogs the right way

After reading this, we can respect dogs and keep ourselves safe when we meet new dogs.

5 things dog lovers should not do when meeting new dogs

Because they love dogs so much, some people want to touch dogs they see on the street right away. Or if they meet a friend’s dog for the first time, they want to play with it right away. But these actions can stress out new dogs:

1. Don’t bend over and pet a dog’s head

Some people think putting their hands in front of a dog lets the dog smell them. But dogs need their own space. When we bend over close to a dog, we might scare it. For small dogs, us bending over them can feel like a big scary thing coming at them!

2. Don’t stare at dogs

We like to look at pretty things, like cute dogs. But for dogs, staring at them feels mean or scary. Some dogs might look away, but others might bark or try to bite.

3. Don’t pet a dog without asking

Petting a dog without asking is like a stranger touching you without asking. It’s not nice! This can scare dogs. They might even bite to protect themselves. It’s like how we might push someone away if they touch us suddenly.

4. Don’t hug or kiss dogs

People hug and kiss to show love. But dogs don’t like this. It feels like we’re trying to control or stop them from moving. This makes dogs very scared, especially if they don’t know us.

5. Don’t yell at dogs

Some people yell nice things when they see cute dogs. But dogs hear much better than us. Loud noises can scare them. They might run away or even try to attack because they’re scared.

How to meet new dogs the right way: 6 steps

“Distance makes the heart grow fonder” is true for meeting new dogs too. Giving dogs space lets them watch us and feel safe. Letting dogs decide if they want to meet us is also nice.

Step 1: Ask the dog’s owner

Always ask the dog’s owner first if you can say hi to their dog. This is polite. You can also learn about what the dog likes and doesn’t like.

Step 2: Ask the dog to come to you

After the owner says yes, ask the dog if it wants to meet you too. Stand a few steps away from the dog. Turn sideways and crouch down. Look at the dog with the corner of your eye. This is a friendly way to say hi to dogs.

Step 3: Let the dog smell you and watch how it acts

The dog will smell you from far away. This is how dogs learn about us. Watch how the dog acts:

• If the dog turns away: It doesn’t want to meet today. That’s okay.
• If the dog stays still: It’s not sure yet. Wait a bit, then slowly put your hand out halfway.
• If the dog comes closer: It wants to meet you. Go to the next step.

Step 4: Pet the dog the right way

If the dog comes close, put your hand out halfway. Let the dog smell you. Then use the back of your hand to pet the dog’s chest 3 times. Then take your hand away. Petting the chest is better because the dog can move away if it doesn’t like it.

Step 5: Watch the dog again

After you pet the dog, see how it acts:

• If it stays close: It likes you! You can keep petting it.
• If it moves away: It just wants to smell you, not be petted. That’s okay.
• If it doesn’t move: If it’s a new dog, stop petting. If you know the dog, you can pet it 2 or 3 more times and then stop.

Step 6: Go for a walk with the dog

If the dog doesn’t want to be petted, that’s okay. You can slowly stand up and leave. But if it’s your friend’s dog and you’ll be together for a while, you can all go for a walk. Let your friend hold the dog and don’t pet it while walking. After the walk, you can try to say hi again.

The most important thing: dogs need respect more than petting

Dog lovers sometimes stress out dogs because they love them too much. Instead of petting, hugging, or yelling at new dogs, it’s better to give them space and let them choose if they want to meet you.