A guest post from BorrowMyDoggy
It’s safe to say… We LOVE dogs. From dashing dalmatians to barking beagles, seeing a dog on the street (even when you have a pooch of your own!) can really brighten your day. Here at BorrowMyDoggy - the online dog loving community connecting dog owners with local trusted people for walks, overnight stays and happy holidays - we love sharing knowledge with our members to help make a positive impact on the lives of dogs and people.
One thing that can be very exciting for new owners and borrowers is meeting a new dog for the first time. It can also be quite a nerve-racking time too - what happens if your new pawtential furry friend is shy? Or if they’re don’t warm to you straight away? Well, we’re here to put some of those worries to rest with these top tips for meeting, greeting and befriending new dogs.
1 - Find the right location
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Owners and breeders will know where their dog is most comfortable; this may be in their home or at their favourite park. It may be best to ask beforehand if there are any behaviours or things you should avoid. For example, they might instruct you not to ring the doorbell as their pup might get over excited.
2 - Sniff hello
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Letting a dog sniff your hand is a great first introduction. Try to stand a small distance away from them and give them opportunity to approach you first. They’ll most probably give you a quick sniff and wander off. If you’re lucky they may welcome you with an offering to pet them. If they do, take the opportunity!
3 - Tasty treats
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The owner may have some treats to hand. Ask if you can give some to your new furry friend to help with your introductions and to positively reinforce their happy behaviour towards you. See if they know any tricks or commands too.
4 - All the cuddles
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Once you’ve made your first introductions and the dog is ready, why not give them tummy or chin tickles? You can also learn all about this pawsome scratch, guaranteed to make firm friends.
5 - Encouragement and enthusiasm
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Remember to stay positive, even if your furry friend hasn’t quite warmed to you yet. A higher tone of voice can be helpful. If they seem to be happy and they would like to play, remember to keep that enthusiastic high tone too.
We hope these tips help you make some new furry friends! If you’re looking for a canine pal for your pooch for a playdate, why not join the BorrowMyDoggy community as a borrower?
More information on how to get a dog to like and trust you
Thank you to our friends at BorrowMyDoggy for the article above! Hopefully you'll now be able to approach a new dog with confidence the next time you meet one. To add to the fantastic suggestions for befriending a dog above, here at Canine Cottages, we've put together an additional frequently asked questions section on how to get a dog to like and trust you.
If you’re wondering what you can do to make a dog trust you, you’re likely to have just rehomed a rescue dog, or perhaps you want to make friends with a pal’s anxious pet. The first thing to understand is that there may be lots of reasons that the dog is scared. Maybe they’re fearful of strangers, sensitive to loud noises, or reactive to other triggers?
Our friends over at Battersea have lots of dog advice articles on how to get a scared dog to trust you.
The time it takes to get a dog to trust you depends on the dog, their age, the reasons behind their wariness, and their past experiences. Some dogs take a few days to get used to new people, whereas others have deep-rooted issues that can only be addressed with time and patience.
Perhaps instead of looking for signs that your dog doesn’t trust you, it’s better to identify the ways of knowing that your dog does feel reassured by your presence. A wagging tail, gentle eye contact (not staring), and cuddling up to you are all signs a dog is content when you’re around.
Battersea outline how to understand your dog’s body language in different situations. There are many positive and negative signals as to a dog’s mood and emotions.
There are lots of ways to show your dog you love them! Expressing your feelings in an appropriate, dog-friendly way can strengthen the bond between you, and help get your dog to trust you.
Dogs are very in tune with facial expressions, so make sure you use positive expressions when interacting with your pup. Talk to them, snuggle up with them (if they like to), and bond through training. Stroking (on your dog’s terms) can cue the release of oxytocin which makes them happy, and regular walks, of course, are a well-known way into a dog’s heart.
Take your canine pal on holiday
If you're lucky enough to have a pup of your own, or want to holiday with friends who have a dog, our dog-friendly holiday cottages offer the perfect base for you and your four-pawed pal(s). Whether you're looking to indulge in luxury escape, complete with private hot tub, or hunting for the perfect rural hideaway with plenty of options for walkies, you'll find a whole host of pawsome properties within our collection.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.