When we like dogs, it's natural to want to greet them if we get the chance. We might want to go over to them, reach out to them and enjoy making a fuss of them. But is this what most dogs like, from someone they don't know? The short answer is no. Let's look at why. Dogs and people have different communication styles Going up to a dog, with the best of intentions of making friends with them, is at odds with dogs' etiquette among themselves. A direct, straight-on approach from one dog to another is not the polite thing to do. It can be perceived as threatening, or at the very least pushy. We will leave dog greeting behaviour though, as it is another big topic, and return to our own behaviour when meeting dogs. Let dogs keep their personal space Of course there are some dogs who are so sociable that they welcome friendly attention from everyone, but in general it is best not to reach out into a dog's personal space. Many dogs, especially shy, nervous d...
"Other Nations" is a quotation from a passage of writing by author Henry Beston, describing animals.