"You know, your dogs are a reflection of you, down to the T."
That was a close friend talking. He was commenting on how my dogs interact with people and how they allow people into their personal space, or not. It is true, all three of my dogs are indeed a reflection of my different personas. Raider, my border collie cross, for example, is pretty easygoing. He thinks everyone is friendly but knows not everyone is a friend. He is reluctant to allow anyone to touch him without a sniff of the hand first.
Zumi, my German shepherd, on the other hand, will look anyone square in the eye, sizing them up as friend or foe, daring them to touch her. It's as if she is saying, "I am very good natured once you get past my gruff exterior. If you have the courage to touch me we may be friends, but if you lack the courage, don't waste my time." Piper, my German short-haired, is just indifferent. He will approach with his tail wagging exhibiting body language that invites touching, but you can't touch him. And he doesn't care. He ducks away just at the last second if you try to reach out and touch him. He is saying, "Yes, I'm friendly, but I don't care if you are, you are not part of my pack." These behaviours tend to throw people off when they meet my dogs as most people seem to think that all dogs love to be touched by anyone. This is just not the case. It doesn't mean the dogs are anti-social or fearful of humans (although in some cases it might), it simply means they don't want to be touched.
You see, dogs are a lot like humans. Like most people, we have a wall of personal space around us that we don't like people invading, especially strangers. We invite others into our space with body language that reflects our willingness to engage or not. We would never consider invading another person's space without invitation, but we do it to dogs all the time and if/when they act in a way that we do not deem as acceptable, we think there is something wrong with the dog. As dog owners or simply dog lovers without dogs, we can't take it personally but instead should recognize and respect that dogs have a greeting ritual that they share with other dogs and they expect us to follow the same rules!
There are times when a dog does have a fear response when it comes to greeting a new person. The behaviour will resemble a dog not wanting to be touched, but also with a bit of an agitated or anxious energy. It seems restless and weary. This type of dog needs to build a new neural pathway in its brain that allows it to view people as non-threatening.
When greeting a friendly yet unfamiliar dog, the best course of action is to simply ignore the dog but stay in the area. This gives the dog a chance to size you up, since you are not trying to invade their space. That simple act of indifference from you can make all the difference to the dog you are wishing to say hello to. More often than not, that dog will turn towards you and invite a greeting. It may even come up to you and ask for attention in a very calm yet friendly way. Having a treat readily available is a great icebreaker and if you position your hand with the treat just below the dog's nose (whether the dog is sitting or standing), it is a far more peaceful gesture than holding it way above the dog's head and expecting it to reach up.
When you try to pet the dog, gently rub under its chin and along the sides of its cheeks instead of on top of its head. Again, this is a peaceful gesture that instills calm and acceptance as dogs typically sniff noses and cheeks and avoid the top of each other's heads or shoulders when the greeting is peaceful.
Dogs who are fearful or mistrusting of humans need to be greeted and interacted with in a different fashion, which I will discuss next week. Until then, if you want to give a strange dog some attention, reconsider your actions and follow a non-threatening and peaceful approach.
Joan has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her at k9kinship.com
