17/11/2021
~ Use your Manners, Please ~
The Sniff Test -
🛑 Stop doing that to dogs!
Without a clear understanding of what you are actually doing, “The Sniff Test”, is a badly engrained habit that society in general has been taught.
🚨 When you reach out towards a dog, you are using body pressure against them. It gives the dog zero time to assess whether you are safe or whether they require further investigation to pick up your information. You’re forcing an interaction of a relationship that hasn't had time to develop.
To some dogs, this is offensive & the very rea*on a lot of dogs will snap or bite. This can cause alot of behavioral issues because of layered stress due to forced interactions.
🚨 When a dog is on lead, they have no where to go if they are sensitive to social pressures. They may end up shutting down, shying away or snapping at that outstretched hand so you’ll back off. This is how the dog uses pressure to stop you and make you back off.
🚨 If you think by offering your hand it will give the dog time to sniff to know you're friendly... they can smell you without being forced to sniff your hand. Their noses are far more superior than ours, in fact it's been estimated that dogs can smell anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 times better than people. Dogs don't need close contact forced upon them to smell you.
🚨 Some dogs might not want to know you. They don’t need you to touch them or interact with them for your own satisfaction.
⭐️ If you are meeting a new dog, what should you do?
Always ask the owner if you can interact with their dog. Not all people want strangers touching their dogs. Especially strangers they are unlikely to see again.
✔️ Stand up straight & relaxed, with your hands at your side.
✔️ Ignore the dog & talk to the owner.
✔️ Do not stare at the dog or force an interaction by immediately attempting to pat it. If the dog is accepting, it will come up to you & sniff you. Usually they will move away and come to you again for a more in-depth inspection. Some dogs will bump your hands & wag their tails, all positive actions that they want more and you're likely an accepted new friend.
Do Not pat a dog on the head but slowly run your hand down their back and pause to access if the dog seems receptive and happy. Has it accepted your actions? This will determine whether you can give it more pats.
💞 These are stress free option for dogs in developing a starting level of trust, especially for fearful dogs. It gives both you and an aggressive dog the option to chose to interact without negative effects from it being forced.