May I Pet Your Dog? Safety Tips for UH Residents

Dog bites are often predictable and rarely the dog’s fault. Dogs give clear warnings before biting. Ignoring these warnings is a mistake, sometimes even a fatal one. We need to do better understanding canine language. Communication is key, and the best means of keeping everyone, especially kids, safe around dogs.

A wagging tail doesn’t mean friendly. It means the dog is excited, possibly excited to attack. Look for a relaxed wagging tail, soft eyes, and a fluid body to signal a happy dog. An unfriendly dog presents with fixated eyes, a stiff body, and a stiff but perhaps wagging tail.

A dog’s physical build says nothing about temperament. Some of the most dangerous dogs are the cutest, most innocent-looking. Don’t be fooled. Visit the American Temperament Test Society at atts.org to learn more. Every dog is an individual though, and breed doesn’t dictate behavior.

Don’t stick your hand out to allow a dog to smell you. Dogs can smell a 1⁄2 gram of cocaine through a brick wall. They don’t need strange hands in their face before deciding if they want to interact. It’s actually aggressive and a good way to get bit. Always supervise interactions between children and canines. When it comes to unknown dogs, it’s best to keep your distance. That can be tough in a neighborhood full of dogs. The next best solution is open communication with their handler.

Ask permission before approaching a dog. Note, I didn’t say before petting; I said before approaching. Don’t ever just walk up to, or even worse, allow your child to run up to a dog. A quick and unexpected approach could easily trigger a protective response.

Equally important is respect. If someone says no to petting their dog, gracefully accept it. The dog could be training, have an ear infection, be blind, or maybe the dog’s best friend just died. It doesn’t matter. Contrary to popular opinion, dogs don’t exist for human enjoyment. They’re living, sentient beings with complex emotions and lives that matter to them. Just because a dog is present, doesn’t mean it’s there to entertain.

Besides looking for relaxed body language, another great sign a dog wants to interact with you is that they calmly move towards you. Just because a dog wants to interact though, doesn’t mean its person wants them to. Again, defer to the human. Use these tips, learn more, and stay safe!