Signs of a Stressed Dog

When we meet another person, we look them in the eyes and will often offer a handshake or hug. However, all of these behaviors can be interpreted as a challenge to a new dog and can cause stress. When this happens, dogs may react by:

• Lowering their head

• Panting

• Pulling or leaning away

• Flattening their ears against their head

• Licking their lips

• Showing the whites of their eyes

• Tucking their tail

• Lifting a paw

These signals mean "I don’t like this." It’s best to end the introduction if you see any of these signals, or the dog may become more fearful and do one or more of the following:

• Freeze and stare (a precursor to biting)

• Growl

• Lunge

• Snap

• Bite

How to Greet a Dog

Ask permission from the owner of the dog before attempting to pet the dog. The owner may know that the dog struggles with strangers and may be relieved to be able to say no. If the owner says yes, ask permission from the pup:

• Turn your body sideways.

• Avoid direct eye contact.

• Use relaxed body language and a calm tone.

• Crouch down to their level if you can (avoid leaning over them).

• Let the dog come into your space and sniff you. This lets them decide if they want to be friends.

• If the dog is shy, they may not move towards you. This is OK! Simply stay in your position, talk in a calm tone and see if they approach you. Patience and letting them take their time is key.

• Assess the body language discussed above. Do they seem comfortable enough to keep the interaction going?

• If the dog seems comfortable, you can slowly offer a hand a few inches away from them and see if they lean in for pets.

• If they ask for pets, pet them on their shoulder or side for three seconds and then stop to see if they ask for more.

What Do Dogs Not Enjoy?

A common myth is that the best way to greet a dog is to reach out a hand for the dog to sniff before petting. Dogs have amazing noses! They can smell you without you putting your hand near their face. Here are some other things dogs don’t enjoy:

• Petting on top of their head (imagine a large gorilla petting you on your head!)

• People leaning over them

• Hugs (dogs do not hug each other so this concept is foreign to them)

• Direct eye contact

• People walking into or putting their hands in the dog’s personal bubble before they are ready

• People standing directly facing them (can be viewed as a threat)

For a visual example of this, check out our video How Would YOU Like It?

Dogs & Kids

To keep the kids in your life safe around dogs, teach them about how their body language affects the dog and the signs of stress in dogs so that they know how to stay safe. Instruct them not to hug or kiss any dog (even if the one at home doesn’t mind), so that they don’t forget around a new dog. Resources we recommend for kids include:

Doggie Language by Lili Chin (book)

Pets & Children (YouTube Playlist)

Safety: Dogs Bite Prevention for Children (article)