Safe Meet N’ Greets at the Shelter
When meeting a potential family member, it’s easy to want to rush the process and feel connected to an animal we don’t yet know. But rushing the process can be a barrier to creating a strong, lasting bond. In fact, rushing the process could make a dog feel so overwhelmed or uncomfortable it could lead to a bite. Reading dog body language, and understanding context, are skills we can develop to be sure our interactions are welcome and safe. Below are tips for safely meeting dogs for the first time, whether at the shelter or out in the community. Interested in sharpening your skills? Visit the Volunteer page and request the signup link for the next Safe & Ethical Dog Handling session – it’s for community members as well as prospective volunteers!
 

Meeting a Dog for the First Time  
Slow & steady wins the race! (Think of the personal bubble you have when you first meet people):

1. Please don’t reach hands towards an unfamiliar dog, instead, allow the dog to approach without attempting to pet the dog. Dogs can smell roughly a football field away; they don't need an extended hand in order to sniff you. If you keep your hands on your lap, in your pockets, or by your side, you will resist the urge to extend your arms, piercing the personal bubble of the pup. When a dog sniffs, he’s gathering information, not seeking attention. It’s ok if a dog is more interested in sniffing the room, the ground/floor, and the dog’s surroundings, this helps any dog feel more relaxed. Sniffing you is also an effort to learn more about you. When a dog is ready for interaction a dog might nudge with his nose, use his paw, or lean in for a few pats. 
    
2. Once a dog is soliciting attention, avoid patting any dog on the head. This is not appreciated by most dogs. Instead, scratch under the chin, pat the chest, sides, or back.
    
3. CONSENT TESTS are a great way to determine whether or not a dog is enjoying your attention. Give several pats on the chin, chest, sides, or back, and stop. If the dog walks away, or seems disinterested, that's a NO. If the dog nudges your hand, leans in, or paws at you, that's an enthusiastic YES. An enthusiastic yes means the pup is enjoying the interaction.  
    
4. Please do NOT put your face in a dog’s face, kiss a dog, hug a dog, or grab a dog's face or collar. These are all very threatening, smothering, and dangerous. 
    
5. Sometimes when dogs approach us and lean in for sniffs, they also lick us. As a different species, dogs don’t hug and kiss the way we do. Licking is not kissing! If a dog leans in for licks, it’s a way for a dog to express a little bit of concern while saying, ‘hey, I mean no harm.’ 
    
6. Please avoid leaning over a dog. This is another way to pierce a dog's bubble and make him feel smothered and threatened. 
    
7. Please do not pick up a dog you don't know. It's not only scary, it brings your face closer to a nervous dog. You may see a dog who has been picked up move their legs as they try to find footing, a scary moment for the dog. Without a bond, and permission to be picked up, this can easily trigger a bite. 
    
8. Please do not crowd dogs. Sometimes there are family members coming along to meet a dog for the first time. To be sure the meeting is relaxed and non-threatening, please give any unfamiliar dog plenty of space. Crowding a dog can make the dog feel trapped and defensive.
    
9. If the dog is wearing a leash, please do not force the dog to stay close to you if he decides to walk away. It’s not disinterest, the dog is regulating how he feels, especially if he feels nervous. Forcing a dog to stay close while feeling nervous will increase anxiety, inhibit the building of trust, and if it’s too scary, it could trigger a bite. Give the dog the freedom to move around and explore.
    
10. If the dog is relaxed enough to chase a ball or toy, please do not, under any circumstances, attempt to remove any toy or object from a dog’s mouth. In order to keep the game going, use another toy and toss/trade for safe interactions.  
     
11. Dogs can change their mind at any time when it comes to their comfort level. Please don't assume a friendly interaction is an open door to push a dog's limits. Use the consent tests. If you see signs of stress, give the dog space. Every dog develops trust at their own pace, and it's important to respect a dog when they say, ‘no thanks’ to attention. 

Questions about dog bite prevention, or questions about the information on this page? Please email for more information.