Responding to “Can I Pet Your Dog?”
If you were walking at the park and a stranger came up to pet you, you’d be a bit concerned, right? Imagine you’re almost to your destination, and a group of children stop you to pat your head and say you’re a good boy, awkward. Pet parents need to vocalize that their dog doesn’t always want to be approached by a stranger; dogs communicate with us through their body language, so fur baby owners need to be acutely aware of their pets’ behaviors.
Saying “No”
It’s a societal battle of saying “No,” to others; we have a huge power struggle between being polite versus sounding mean. People don’t want to be perceived a certain way for refusing others to touch their dog; however, that’s completely up to them because they know best if their pet will welcome it or not. No one knows your pet better than you. Remember, you do not have to provide an explanation for saying no; it is your dog.
Reading Fidos Body Language
While humans wear their emotions on their faces, dogs wear them on their tails. If you notice a stranger approaching and Fido tucks their tail, that’s a sign to dismiss this person’s request. In the case that your pet paces uncomfortably while a person is nearby, time to go to the other side of the park. If they don’t seem like their friendly self while a new person is petting them, it’s your sign to remove the dog from the situation. Our pets rely on us to communicate for them, and we have to be able to read those behaviors.
Products that can help
Amazon to the rescue! The online retailer has many options for “Do Not Pet” patches, harnesses, or leashes. There are also options for “Ask To Pet First” if your pet does like strangers but you want them to ask you first.
Check out these articles for more info on reading Fido’s body language!
Things You’re Doing That Your Dog Probably Doesn’t Like