04/23/2022
There seems to be a large misconception! Please read below👏🏻.
Another update from our trainer:
Wow, what an interesting response such a simple post has provoked. Am not sure what about this was so triggering for some people?
Interesting timing too, we just left National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and unfortunately, bite statistics continue to be staggering in this country. Over 70% of children will be bitten by their 12th birthday. The more we can do to make these awful and outdated ways of interacting with dogs go away - the better.
The facts are: a dog can smell you from FAR away - dogs have been shown to be able to smell things from over 10 miles away, their smell is tens of thousands times stronger than ours - is it really so hard to understand that there is absolutely no need to hold your hand in front of their face to let them “sniff” you?
Trust me - they know exactly what you smell like, sniffing the surface of your hand - an entirely human constructed ritual that means nothing to the dog other than a stranger reaching toward their face, which is undeniably a high pressure greeting. Reaching a limb toward a dogs face is akin to a strange human putting their hand in your face.
The “it’s never failed me before” comments - this is because dogs are infinitely more tolerant than humans will ever give them credit for, and I promise, if you took a video of a dog who did not willingly approach a human for attention having a hand reached out to them - I could point out body language signals showing the dog was uncomfortable with it.
Will you get bit? In most situations, nope. But - after repeatedly experiencing this, a dog who does not want stranger attention is going to develop a stronger and stronger negative response to this.
It’s not about you, human, just because you haven’t “ever been bit” isn’t the point here. The point is, whether you believe it or not, it is a socially rude gesture in dog language, and the purpose it is claimed to serve simply does not exist.
So, why not think twice next time you go to reach your hand out to a dog that isn’t asking you for attention?
As far as bending down or crouching to their level, again, not something that I would ever recommend in an attempt to “befriend” a dog - either they want your attention, or they don’t. Adding the social pressure of even more direct eye contact by getting on their level - not helping.
If you want to relieve social pressure to encourage a dog to come to you, turn sideways, don’t make eye contact, definitely don’t reach out to them, keep your hands at your side - and tap your thigh - invite them closer and be willing to not have your ego bruised if they don’t respond.
Dogs shouldn’t be expected to enjoy a stranger’s hands on them anymore than people do, we fail to recognize how remarkably tolerant they are about things we ourselves would act out over.
If you took a room full of people, all dog fanatics, and added 1 dog trainer to the mix then brought in several dogs on leash - you could pick out the dog trainer in a second - it would be the one person ignoring all the dogs.
Anyway, long post short: if a dog isn’t approaching and asking to be touched, please don’t try to change its opinion of you. Nothing creepier than someone who can’t take a hint and keeps invading your space 😉.
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Update - Because some of you can't behave and express your "opinions" in a kind manner, I'm turning off commenting. Take the advice or don't - any certified dog behaviorist or trainer will advise you that this is correct information - and would be important for you to follow and perhaps teach your children.
You don't agree. Fine. Chances are you'll be fine but there may always be that one dog. And what happens when that one dog bites you? You'll sue the owner, blame the dog who may/or may not be euthanized because of your not listening to common sense.
And if you were particularly rude in your comments, you're blocked and can't see this anyway so stop worrying.
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