Educational information Links:

1. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/how-to-read-dog-body-language/
2. https://www.aspcapro.org/sites/default/files/canine-body-language-aspca.pdf

• Ask the owner’s permission
• Be calm and gentle
• Avoid direct eye contact
• Keep a comfortable distance and respect the dog’s space
• Let the dog approach you first and let the dog sniff you before petting. Avoid reaching out to make them smell your hand. Sudden movements are threatening to dogs.
• Crouch down and avoid hovering over the dog
• Stop when and if the dog is done with the interaction. This meeting needs to go on their own terms, especially if they are a fearful dog.

• Assume it is OK to pet any dog you don’t know.
• Reach your hand over the dog’s head. Instead use an upward palm to gently scratch under the chin after the dog approaches you and has sniffed the back of your hand. Reaching over the top of the head is a threatening move.
• Invade their space or use heavy eye contact
• Insist on petting a dog after an owner asks you not to.
• Be impatient. This has to happen on the dog’s terms.
• Pet a dog without asking…ever!

Helpful Links:

1. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/advice/how-to-safely-greet-a-strange-dog/
2. https://www.peta.org/living/animal-companions/how-to-greet-a-dog/
3. https://outwardhound.com/furtropolis/dogs/how-to-approach-a-dog

The most common zoonotic diseases include but are not limited to  the following:

• Ringworm
• Salmonellosis
• Leptospirosis
• Campylobacter infection
• Giardia infection
• Cryptosporidium infection
• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Tapeworms
• Sarcoptic Mange (Scabies)
• Rabies

Please consider learning more about these conditions via the following resources:

1. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/

2.  https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/zoonotic-diseases-in-dogs

3. https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/zoonotic-diseases.html

1. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-bite-prevention
2. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/dog-bites.html
3. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/dog-bite-prevention

• Barking
• Separation Anxiety
• Aggression
• Digging
• Fears/Phobias
• Begging
• Biting
• Chewing
• Jumping

1. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/common-dog-behavior-issues
2. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/behavioral-problems-of-dogs