How to Correctly Greet a Dog | Live Dog Demos

It’s one of the most common and yet most misunderstood interactions we have with animals: greeting a dog.

Whether it’s a stranger’s pup at the park, a friend’s loyal companion, or a dog you’re meeting for the first time at an adoption event, that initial moment of contact can set the tone for your entire relationship.

And while many of us instinctively go in for a pat on the head or an enthusiastic “Hey buddy!”, experts are urging a more mindful, respectful approach.

At a recent live demonstration event hosted in Los Angeles, professional dog trainers showcased the proper way to approach and greet a dog.

With various breeds and temperaments present, from the excitable Labrador Retriever to the cautious Shiba Inu, the event served as both an educational platform and a chance to highlight how easily miscommunication between humans and dogs can happen.

The most common mistake people make when greeting a dog is assuming the dog wants to be touched.

This assumption, trainers explained, often leads to uncomfortable or even dangerous encounters.

“Dogs aren’t toys.

They have boundaries just like humans,” said Allison Craig, a certified canine behaviorist who led part of the demonstration.

“Imagine if someone ran up to you, shouting in a language you didn’t understand, then put their hand on your head.

That’s often how dogs feel when strangers greet them.

One of the main techniques demonstrated was the “ask and wait” approach.

This means you first ask the dog’s owner for permission to greet their dog.

Once permission is granted, you approach calmly and turn your body slightly to the side, avoiding direct eye contact, which dogs may perceive as threatening.

Rather than leaning over or reaching toward the dog’s head, allow the dog to come to you and sniff your hand, which should be presented low and relaxed.

The trainers emphasized watching the dog’s body language carefully.

Signs of interest include a relaxed tail wag, soft eyes, and an open mouth.

On the other hand, if a dog stiffens, licks its lips, yawns, or turns its head away, these are signs of discomfort and should be taken seriously.

“Forcing interaction at this point is disrespectful and unsafe,” said Craig.

In one live demo, a golden retriever named Bailey was used to show the right and wrong ways to approach.

When a volunteer rushed in with high-pitched baby talk and immediately touched the dog’s head, Bailey backed away and looked distressed.

But when another volunteer approached slowly, crouched slightly, and let Bailey initiate contact, the dog wagged happily and even offered a paw.

The difference was clear and powerful.

Children were also part of the focus at the event, as kids often struggle with boundaries when it comes to animals.

Parents were encouraged to teach their children not to run toward dogs, scream, or grab their ears or tails.

Instead, a simple rule of “stop, ask, and approach calmly” was introduced.

It’s a habit that can significantly reduce the number of dog bites and bad experiences for both dogs and humans.

Another key lesson from the demos involved the misconception that all wagging tails mean happiness.

“Tail wagging can mean excitement, but that excitement isn’t always positive,” explained Craig.

“A high, stiff wag could signal agitation, while a low, loose wag usually indicates friendliness.

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Context and body posture matter, and being able to read these signals is vital to successful interactions.

Dogs with trauma histories or those who are shy require even more care.

Adoption centers and rescue shelters often deal with animals that have been neglected or abused, making their trust harder to earn.

In these cases, greeting a dog may mean simply sitting nearby and allowing the dog to observe you without pressure.

One rescue volunteer described how she gained the trust of a skittish pit bull by simply sitting with her back turned to the dog and waiting patiently.

It took thirty minutes before the dog approached, but the result was a gentle lick on the hand and a bond that led to adoption.

Interestingly, the trainers also addressed how to greet your own dog when coming home after a long day.

While it’s tempting to immediately scoop them up in hugs and kisses, it’s better to give them a moment to settle.

Let them sniff you, read your body language, and then slowly initiate affection.

This makes for a more balanced, calm interaction rather than a chaotic burst of energy that can be overwhelming, especially for more sensitive dogs.

The demonstration event concluded with an open Q&A, where attendees were able to ask about specific issues they faced with their own dogs.

Common questions included how to greet dogs who bark excessively, how to interact with dogs who jump, and what to do when encountering an off-leash dog in public.

Each question was met with patient explanations and, in some cases, live examples using volunteer dogs from local shelters.

Ultimately, the message was clear: dogs are complex, emotional beings who deserve the same respect we’d offer to another person.

Greeting them isn’t just about avoiding bites or keeping safe — it’s about building trust, showing empathy, and fostering a positive connection.

By learning the right way to approach dogs, we become not just better pet lovers but better humans overall.

The success of the event has sparked interest in more community outreach, with plans to bring similar demonstrations to schools, dog parks, and shelters across the country.

As one attendee put it, “I’ve had dogs my whole life and thought I knew everything.

But today changed how I see them.

Now I understand how much they’re communicating, if only we take the time to listen.

In a world where dogs play such a central role in our lives, learning to greet them properly is a small step that carries big impact.

It’s a reminder that love, whether between humans or between species, always begins with respect.