Once you are satisfied that the dog is ready and comfortable to pet, you can start petting him and begin a therapeutic relationship with him. Begin to lightly stroke the front of the dog’s chest, upper and middle back, sides of the chest, and behind the ears. When stroking these areas, pull your hand aside rather than moving your hand over the dog’s head.
Once you have received permission from the pet’s parents, slowly walk to the side, not forward. Instead of putting your hand in the dog’s face or reaching for it, wait for the dog to come to you. If your dog approaches you, gently pat him on the shoulder for three seconds, then stop.
When dealing with another dog you don’t know, don’t try to pet him until you show he’s okay. The next time you see a dog, be sure to let him initiate contact, start stroking his chest and shoulders, and let him take the lead in deciding how many times and how often he wants to be petted.
A dog that really enjoys petting will often move its leg as if it were trying to scratch itself. Some people think they want to rub that spot on the dog’s belly, but in most cases, dogs will prefer to lie down next to you and get a pat on the chest. If you pet your dog and he leans against you and wags his tail freely, chances are he is enjoying the company.
Once you get to know the dog well, you can try petting other areas to see what he likes. It’s not a bad idea to teach your dog to tolerate being petted and petted in places he doesn’t like, whether it’s you or a stranger. Rough and playful petting should only be done if you understand the dog and how he responds to interaction.
Even better, ask the owner if the dogs have a favorite spot for petting. After asking permission from the owners, it’s time to ask the dogs. Most petting is welcome, and there are a few ways you shouldn’t touch your dog.
Some dogs enjoy being petted on certain parts of their body and dislike being touched on other parts. While there are dogs that love to scratch anything on their body, most of them have at least one spot they prefer not to touch. Individual dogs also have specific areas where they like to be stroked; common areas are the base of the tail, under the chin, or on the back of the neck where it touches the collar. Dogs especially love to be petted at the base of the tail and behind the neck, and some like to be scratched under the chin.
Sometimes my dogs are so hungry for affection that they press their bodies against me, waiting for their pets. Luckily, dogs are quite tolerant of our pets and hugs… but they won’t necessarily want the same kind of affection from a stranger. Just like some people don’t like hugs or handshakes, some dogs are just programmed not to enjoy petting in the traditional sense of the word. Not all owners accurately read the emotional state of their dogs, and some mistakenly believe that their anxious dog will overcome his fear if he is greeted by enough people.
Although, when petting the dog close to its muzzle, be sure to pay attention to its behavior and whether it looks aggressive or not. With an unfamiliar dog, you should avoid stroking its head or face, or touching its muzzle. When you approach an unfamiliar dog with the intention of petting and petting, you will want to look away from it slightly to avoid making direct eye contact. To look as friendly as possible, turn your body slightly to the side and look at the dog with peripheral vision.
If you’re a little unsure about your dog, stay upright. You can also kneel at dog height so you don’t hang over your head. If your dog asks for something else, like staring or moving around, you can stop it. The first rule of petting is especially important for children who are constantly approaching dogs that are lying down, cornered in the room, or actively trying to escape.
Touch-resistant dogs can also exhibit different behaviors when you try to pet them, such as grabbing a toy and trying to interact with you in that way instead. Obviously, the rules for dealing with a dog are more relaxed than with a dog you’ve never met before, but it’s still important to pay attention to your dog’s reaction when you touch him. The training is especially true when you are faced with this person rushing in and petting your dog without asking, let alone getting any permission with your dog. For example, if a dog is sick, he cannot verbally tell you that he is sick, but instead he may try to bite the person who tries to pet him.