Meeting people for the first time is usually awkward. For others, they will feel a little bit nervous. For others, it can be scary. And a few of us feel excited. These behaviors are rooted from the way we were raised and the culture that we are in.

Like humans, dogs also feel this way during their first encounter with people or other pets. For sociable dogs, they are used to people around them. They can tolerate the hand shaking gesture, a face approaching them or even doing eye-to-eye contact. But there are also fearful and aggressive dogs that feel threatened with those gestures.

Fearful dogs are afraid of human and other pet encounters. They are usually scared when someone approaches them. Some dogs are genetically fearful but most of them are fearful because they are not often socializing with others.

Not all dogs that you may encounter is comfortable greeting a stranger. Let the dog approach you first before doing anything else. But don’t assume that they are already comfortable with you when they approach and sniff you. It is only their way to check who they are dealing with.

Do not assume as well that all dogs you meet are comfortable dealing with people. In certain situations, dogs get tense and they sometimes want to be left alone. Even if the dog moves towards you and smells you, it doesn’t mean that he or she is welcoming you.

Sometimes, people who label themselves as “good dog handlers” are often the worst when it comes to meeting anxious dogs. That is why, it is very important that you know how to greet and handle fearful dogs.

Here are some of the rules to follow when meeting a new dog:

  1. Never go towards dogs who are chained or tied up.
  2. Talk to the owner first. Ask permission if it is fine to introduce yourself to his or her pet.
  3. If a dog approaches you to sniff at you, don’t move. Stand still and leave your hands on your side. You can close your fists, too. Keep your stare away from the dog once he gets near you.
  4. If you want to talk to the dog or pet a dog, sit down rather than bending over. Do not look them in the eye. Do not put your face near the dog. Avoid hugging them, too.
  5. Do not pat their heads if you want to pet the dogs. You can scratch the chin or rub the chest instead.
  6. Never touch a dog who has rolled over.
  7. Neglect a dog that shows signs of being fearful or distress. The dog will become aggressive if you attempt to talk to them or try to give them a treat.
  8. Do not assume that all dogs that you meet want your attention. Observe the dogs’ behavior and body movements carefully. Learn to interpret the dogs’ signals and the way they communicate their feelings. You can easily tell if the dog is happy to see you or not by their body movements. Stay away from a dog that doesn’t want to interact with you.

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