Consent to pet

Prevent

• Advocate for your dog, if you know they do not care to interact, or are not sure, ask people to give you space, tell them you are in a hurry or in training to redirect them. A simple ‘no thank you’ is ok too. 

• Dogs should have a say in how and when they are touched when at all possible. Especially when a person with which they are unfamiliar/uncomfortable wants to touch or pet.

• It is polite to allow a dog, especially an unfamiliar dog, make the first contact. Most dogs will approach and sniff a new person, but this is not an invitation to touch. 

• Allow them to sniff, you may find they walk away and are finished with the interaction – this is ok, they don’t need to interact any further. 

• Dogs generally do not enjoy interactions that make them feel confined – like hugging hovering over or restraint. They usually find face to face interactions rude, especially strong prolonged eye contact or kissing.  Be aware kids are at face level with many dogs. 

What to do

• If they look at you with soft eyes and face, you can offer your hands palms facing them in front of your legs. If they move their body into your hands or have leaned their body into you after some sniffing, pet briefly.

• You can quickly test a dog's handling preferences by petting for 3 to 5 seconds, then remove contact. Observe the dog's reaction and adjust or continue with their feedback.  Do they lean in/make soft eye contact/rest their head or nose you to keep going?  Do they walk way?  Did they go stiff or growl?

• Note any differences between family members, where you touch/handle the dog’s body, types of touch (strokes, scratches, massage), and if different types of people cause any change in behavior. 

• Demonstrate where and how your dog likes to be petted, to encourage people pet your dog in a way they are likely to enjoy. 

• Call your dog away for breaks as needed (start with short sessions 3-5 sec) or if you see they are getting uncomfortable during an interaction. 

• Walk away from people who don’t comply with your clear, polite instructions. 

• There is no need to stick your hand out for a dog to sniff, they will sniff any part of you to gather the information they would like. If they want to be pet, they will make additional contact.

• A dog that approaches and sniffs you may not be soliciting petting or interaction. Wait for more information – if they walk away without engaging in more than sniffing, they prefer to be left alone. If you respect their choice, they may come back and ask for petting later.

• Not all dogs enjoy being pet. In some cases they will enjoy petting from unfamiliar people or when they initiate the contact. People have different levels of interest in using touch to show affection as well. Respect a dog’s polite communication and they won’t have any reason to escalate growling, snapping or biting to make their message clear.

• Most dogs do not like to be patted on the top of the head (imagine someone doing it to you). 

• A dog on their back may not be looking for a belly rub – unless they are wiggly, loose, mouth open in a soft pant, do not touch them, let them get on their feet to see if they approach and solicit contact before interacting.