Have You Got Your Dog's Back?
Hello, and welcome back.
“Don’t worry, he’s just really friendly!”
“Oh, all dogs love me!”
Do these sound familiar?
Whether it be overzealous dogs or well-meaning humans wanting to say hello, have you ever felt the need to ignore your dog’s needs just to appear polite?
Many dogs find enforced interactions stressful. It could be that an off-lead dog has charged over to your dog, so they were left with no time to suss out whether they wanted to engage. Or it could be a human reaching down to stroke their head (a place many dogs dislike being touched) without asking you. When allowed slow introductions, your dog be a total social-diva, or they could have a past filled with negative interactions that makes greetings really hard for them. Either way, is it ok for us to just assume that all dogs want to interact?
Let’s flip the scenario for a second. Would you rush up to a stranger on the street and hug them? Or start asking them personal questions before even knowing their name?
As dog lovers, we understand the desire to stroke ALL dogs - not only can it bring immense pleasure to learn their name and a little about their personality, but we can become hooked on those feel-good hormones just touching a dog provides.
If you’ve ever experienced the frustration of another human ignoring your dog’s needs, I’d like to invite you to start a new role. That of your dog’s bodyguard.
Living in a verbal-world, our dog’s form of communication can get missed or ignored. It’s up to us then to provide a security service. To make sure that our dog’s experiences in the world are, wherever possible, positive.
Get to know your dog’s body language. Really watch them when they’re out in the world and see how they say “yes, please” and, importantly, “no, thank you” to any interactions.
If their needs are ignored, stand up. You can remain polite while still being clear on boundaries. Try saying “my dog prefers to say hello from a far” for example, rather than “don’t touch my dog”.
If your requests are ignored, be ready to create space and retreat.
In their voiceless world, say what your dog would love people to hear if they could talk. Be the best parent - and bodyguard - your dog can ask for by helping them to navigate the world safely with a feeling of security.
Until next time, stay strong!
Caroline
Have you heard? We’ve got a brand new podcast out! And right now, we’re sharing a new tip with you every day for 12 days in our mini-series “The 12 Days of Stressmas”!