Myth Busting... For Dogs

Alongside these deeper dives and introductions to key aspects of canine enrichment…I think it’s incredibly useful and pretty important to dispel some myths surrounding dogs and reflect on some interactions we’ve all adopted with dogs that we really shouldn’t have. 

MYTH 1: Sticking out our hands when meeting a dog is the best way to greet them! It means they get your scent right away!

This is a classic; we’ve ALL done this and, very likely, many of you reading this still will! It’s almost instinctive to us as humans…we recognise that dogs use their sense of smell as their primary sense and so we attempt to present ourselves appealingly and effectively to them by bringing our scent to them in order to help familiarise ourselves with the animal on their level. The thing is…we really don’t need to: the dog has already caught your scent. By simply being within a few feet of the pup, their sense of smell is so strong that they’ve already picked up and internalised all they can from our scent that presenting our hand to them is pretty much a pointless endeavour.

Moreover, not only do we not need to present our hand in this manner, but maybe we shouldn't be doing it either. Sticking a hand in a dog’s face can be seen as a threatening behaviour and could immediately have the opposite effect of scaring them rather than familiarising them to you. Dogs value their personal space and may respond with snapping or growling if they feel that space has been encroached by a strange hand emerging from the heavens. 

MYTH BUSTED: Let the dog come to you! Keep your hands to yourself, buster! In all seriousness, maintaining a neutral, calm and non intrusive energy is the best way to introduce yourself to a new dog, or reacquaint with an old pal. Keeping your hands by your side and avoiding direct eye contact communicates a non-threatening disposition. Sit or crouch calmly and let the dog come to investigate - they will if they want to! If they do approach and get close to you, and don’t seem aggressive or stressed, then giving them a pet or scratch can be a good choice at this time. Just remember to avoid their face and go for their back or side so they can clearly see what you are doing without getting startled.

And it’s as simple as that! Stay tuned for more of these shorter Myth Busting blogs as there’s plenty to correct! For those too curious to wait, simply inquire with us directly at What Dogs Want as we’ll be more than happy to, as always, clarify just what your dog really wants!

Written by C.W. Swan