07/16/2025
"Mum, can I pat the dog"?
"Sure....go ahead....just make sure you put your hand right up into their face"
What could possibly go wrong?
We were all taught this as children.
Time to teach our children a better way now.
Dog trainers tend to disagree with the "hands in faces" advice.
Some insist they must smell your hand because of the Jacobson's organ that allows a dog to gather far more information.
Now while this can help dogs gather more information....that is still way too close.
People also tend to encourage "sniffing hands" when a dog is showing signs of being scared or "nervy".
For me....that's another good reason not to greet a dog like that.
Will it work for some dogs...yes.
Should it be a universal way to greet dogs?
Heck no.
When we put our hands in a dogs face we are encouraging them to come closer....sometimes before they are emotionally ready
Many dogs don't trust hands.
The easiest way to gain trust is to ignore them.
They will show you when they are ready for more
