How Not To Greet A Dog

Most people do this stuff and it stresses dogs out so they BITE!
I don’t care how cute you (or your kid) think Boogie is. Please show him some respect.

illustration of man leaning over dog sticking his hand in the dogs face

DON’T

Lean over the dog and stick your hand in his face

DON’T

Lean over the dog and stick your hand on top of his head

illustration of a child grabbing and hugging a dog

DON’T

Grab or hug him

illustration of a man staring into a dog's eyes

DON’T

Stare him in the eye (this is an adversarial gesture)

illustration of a woman squealing and shouting in a dog's face

DON’T

Squeal or shout in his face

illustration of a woman kissing a dog on the head

DON’T

Grab his head and kiss it (this is an invasion of space)

Doing these to a dog who doesn’t know you is like a perfect stranger giving you a great big hug and kiss in an elevator. Wouldn’t that creep you out? And wouldn’t you have the right to defend yourself?

The Correct Way

illustration of a women not making eye contact and letting a dog approach her while keeping her side to the dog

No eye contact
Let the dog approach you in his own time
Keep either your SIDE or BACK towards the dog (non-threatening posture)

illustration of a woman petting a dog on his side and back

Pet or stroke him on the SIDE of his face or body or BACK

Images by Lili Chin doggiedrawings.net