1. How to speak “dog”:IntroducingYourself
Meetinga newpersoncanbe a nerve-wrackingexperiencefraughtwithuncertainty.One swift
interactionoftenleavesanindeliblelastingimpression onthe otherperson whichisboundto make
youquestion yourownperformance.Wasmyhandshake firmenough?DidImake enougheye
contact? ShouldIhave waitedlongerbefore scratchingbehindtheirears?
Maybe notthe last one…Greetinga newhumanishard enough,butwhenitcomesto introducing
yourself toa dogwho hasnevermetyoubefore,the social uncertaintyisamplifiedtenfold. How can
we possiblyknowwhatthe dogisthinkingorfeeling?Fretnolonger!Thisquickguide willgive you
the three basictechniquesnecessarytosafelyacquaintyourself withanew dogand getyour
friendshipoff onthe rightfoot(or paw).
Step1:
Whenyoufirstcome intocontact witha dog youwill be seenasa stranger,and therefore apossible
threatto the dog’swellbeing.Toassuage the canine’sinitial fears,be sure tomaintainadistance of
at leastsix feet(roughlytwometres).Thisamountof space iswhatis knownasthe dog’s “critical
distance”,adistance at whichthe dog will feelconfidentitcanescape unharmed.
Step2:
Once the dog has become accustomedtoyourpresence youcan begintoapproach.This part is
importantas youdo notwant to frightenthe dogbybeingtooquick.To ensure youdo notdo this,
walkforwardina curved‘C’shape withyourhandsdown.Do not make eye contact.
Step3:
Havingnowapproachedthe dog, allowittosniff yourhandso that your scentisregistered.Aslong
as youkeepyourbreathingslowandyourvoice soft,the dog shouldnow be relaxedenoughtolet
youstroke it on the chinand chest.To beginwiththese shouldbe the onlyareas youtouch,asit is
where the dogcan see your hands.Once youare more confident,strokingthe dogonthe back
shouldbe noproblem.
There youhave it! Withthese simple andeasytoremembertechniquesmeetinganew dogshould
nowbe a safe and enjoyableexperience whichismutuallybeneficialtobothparties. Now thatyou
can successfullynegotiateameetingwithman’sbestfriendyourjourneytowardstotal fluencyin
dog haswell andtrulybegun!