Finding your new best friend is exciting! If you get caught up in a conversation with the owner, lightly stroke the dog so that they know that you still are giving a little attention; though it's not necessary as just being around a balanced person is nice for a dog. What should I do if she does that? Make direct eye contact, stare, and donât smile, but donât actively ⦠Wear Your Dog Out. References. When a dog sniffs a person, they can determine whether that person has a dog of their own, where in the neighborhood the person might live, and more. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Whether youâre introducing a reactive dog or another dog, introducing a puppy to an aggressive dog, or dealing with a dog who has aggression secondary to fear, all of these tips will help mitigate stress for your current dog and hopefully lead to a smoother transition. Try placing blankets or soft toys in the crates of both dogs, making sure the dogs can't see each other by placing them in separate rooms. When it wags slowly, it questions your leadership and wants you to explain what you are doing at that moment. It is good to know the breed an the dog's characteristics. If he is microchipped, be sure to register your contact information with the chipâs company, if the rescue or shelter did not already do so. Then, you can work your way towards their face if they are comfortable with it. 1. Take note of sensitive areas. © 2021 Get Your Pet. They can also pick up on a person’s unique scent to jog their memory as to whether and when they’ve met before! January is National Train Your Dog Month, Tips For Welcoming Your New Cat into Your Home. Next, extend the back of your wrist so the dog can smell you. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Ensure the dog ⦠When first meeting a dog, always take care to respect their boundaries. Do this out of sight of the other canines. My friend has a border collie and I'm nervous because, when I knock on the door, she starts growling. While the dog is meeting you, you can meet the owner. Hooray! By using our site, you agree to our. When meeting a dog, it’s important to be calm and go slow. Approaching a dog in this way may startle them, and it can come off as intimidating. Your first instinct may be to run towards the dog with open arms, but not so fast! Rushing Up to a Dog. Let the dog sniff you and if he is calm and not jumping, you can meet him by giving his chest a brief scratch. How to properly meet a new dog. They learn to know you by your smell. You do not have to let him meet another dog if that dog is on a leash with it's owner if you do not trust the other dogs. Looking to adopt a dog? If you move too fast the dog might respond aggressively. If you have more time with the animal, get to know it better by, All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Meet in the House . This is considered normal behavior for a dog who is put in a stressful or unfamiliar situation. Petting on the head can be threatening for a dog, especially when the person petting them is a complete stranger. Even a little person is bigger than many dogs, so squatting is a less threatening posture. later, I still think that opening my heart to rescues is the best decision I ever made. Tips for introducing your newest member of the household. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. I met a new dog and I didn't know any better and I stared at them and pet their head. You found a dog on Get Your Pet that youâre interested in adopting. You will find that the rewards of a relationship with a dog are well worth the investment. It’s also important to note that all dogs react differently to stress. Prepare yourself and tell yourself that you trust the person. About Angela Marcus⨠Co-Founder, Get Your Pet. Learning how to meet a dog is as important as learning to look both ways before crossing the street. They will smell each other's genitals, but this is normal as they are just checking out if the other dog is a male or female. Now comes the fun partâmeeting them! If you tower over the dog, he might feel threatened or scared. In general, things like a curved body, wagging tail, and excitedly circling around you is a good sign; it means they want to get to know you. From the WebMD Archives. Keep it calm and low. Keep giving him small treats for sitting patiently and then clip his leash. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The dog you adopt needs to be a good fit for you and those around you, so everyone can live in harmony. If the dog knows you're scared, it will be protective of its territory. Why Itâs Bad: Running up to greet an unfamiliar person would be pretty weird. Of course, itâs easier to keep your dog from being over-excited if she doesnât ⦠Learn more... Have you entered an area where there are dogs around and you'd like to say hi to one of them? Bring an ID tag with your phone number on it with you when you pick up your dog so that he has an extra measure of safety for the ride home and the first few uneasy days. % of people told us that this article helped them. Introducing yourself to a new dog is all about understanding the dog’s instincts. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Related Articles. If you are adopting a dog from a shelter, ask the staff if they can help to introduce the dogs. Seven dogs (and 10 cats!) Be sure to read the dogâs body ⦠Using a higher pitched voice can signal weakness as well as stress out the dog. https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/how-approach-dog, https://getyourpet.com/meeting-a-dog-meet-up-dos-donts/, https://housesittingmagazine.com/how-to-meet-a-new-dog-for-the-first-time/, https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/preventing-dog-bites-by-learning-to-greet-dogs-properly/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Kneel down to put yourself at the dogâs level. When dealing with dogs, set aside your attachment to human language and customs. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If allowed, touch the dogs face, ears, body, tail, paws to gauge their reaction. Well, when a dog wags its tail upwards and quickly, it's excited. I am really afraid of dogs, how do I overcome this? It might be scary, and some dogs can be mean, but the owner knows their dog better than anyone. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. If you are at someone's house or a party, be calm and very gentle with a dog you don't know. That is often seen as a threatening gesture and can trigger an aggressive reaction. The dog needs to smell you first, thatâs how a dog meets & greets. How do I know a dog is nervous or becoming aggressive? Adopting a dog is a life-changing decision, one you should never make on impulse. I want to walk my dog for the first time and it refuses to let me clip his lease, what should I do? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 44,430 times. First, plan to have the dogs meet on neutral ground. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Instead, hold a natural stance, and allow the dog to come to you. Some may express discomfort or anxiety by licking their lips or yawning. Ideally youâll meet in a neutral, outside setting â a place without a lot of distractions, activities or other dogs. Prepare yourself and tell yourself that you trust the person. Take the dog for a walk on leash. Turn and face him in the kennel. Stay calm. Meet the adorable dogs rescued by Angela: Lily, Beban, Zara, Senka, Iskra and Cesar in the middle. Staring at a dog one time will not have a major effect on how the dog feels about you, especially if it's a very tame/friendly dog. Does a dog wagging its tail always mean it's happy? This is HIS language and if you want to make his acquaintance in a favorable way that appeals to him, these tips can really help. Start browsing adoptable pets near you on getyourpet.com. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"97c489e0b570cfcd78dd1608c88458496acdf9c3-1610317155-1800"}; In just a few sniffs, a dog can get a feel for the gender, health, and even the history of another dog. Watch out for anything that could indicate an aggressive or threatening mood, like showing teeth or a stiff, erect tail. Itâs best to crouch down with your side to the dog, rather than facing him straight on. Donât make any sudden movements, keep your voice calm and wait for the signal from the owner that itâs ok for you to pet the dog. Local dog shows and events are an excellent opportunity to meet dogs, owners, and club members who can answer your questions about the breeds they know and love. Dog parks are about the worst place for a meet and greet for dogs. Even your dogâs favorite park is not a good spot, unless it is a dog park (since dogs are often used to meeting other dogs there). 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