Many dogs love meeting new people and will try to greet everyone they pass, but, of course, every dog is different, and some are more unsure.
But as we tend to think of dogs as being sociable, we’re often not sure what to do when we have a dog who’s a bit more wary or shy of new people – do you involve some of the best dog treats, for example?
Well, that’s why certified dog trainer Melissa Goodman of Mission Pawsitive has explained how we can help our dogs with meeting people they aren’t familiar with in a recent Instagram post.
“For dogs that are scared of meeting new people, I often suggest meeting outside,” Goodman begins. She’s working with a rescue dog, Beans, who had very little human contact before being rescued, and so finds meeting new people quite daunting – quite a common sign of anxiety in dogs.
As Goodman walks with Beans on a leash, she tosses food in her direction to teach her that good things come from her, and that she’ll respect her space. “I kept tossing food as we walked the entire way back so she could see just how generous I was at giving her great stuff with zero pressure to physically interact with me,” she explains. “Because this was my approach, Beans started to check me out on her own instead of running away.”
Goodman adds in the caption that she always tosses food for nervous dogs rather than handing it to them, because it avoids putting pressure on the dog to get too close when they aren’t ready. “It takes the pressure off the dog to interact, which will make them more likely to try, faster,” she explains.
So, if your dog finds it difficult to meet new people, it’s best to arrange the encounter outside, with your dog on a leash so they’re safe. The aim is to show your pup that other people will respect their space, not getting too close too soon, and show them that good things can happen when they meet new people. For example, they might get some of their favorite treats.
And above all, remember not to push your dog. Take the pressure off them, and you’re more likely to reap the benefits later on. Likewise, if passersby want to come and greet your dog but your dog doesn’t want much human interaction, be sure to advocate for them and respect their wishes!
If your dog is unsure about strangers, and this manifests itself in reactive behavior, you might find this article useful: Owning a reactive dog is hard. Here's how I navigated the social challenges with my pooch.
