Hints

Lots of dogs do not like you trying to cuddle them around the neck. This can be quite alarming especially if the dog is a bit nervous as this is the area where another dog might attack them. So don’t scream “oh a lovely doggy” and make a grab for them, approach the owner fist and ask if the dog would like to be stroked and then without looking directly at the dog, offer your hand. If the dog does not being stroked then don’t stroke it, buy a teddy bear instead.

Just because a dog wags its tail does not mean that it is always happy to see you. It means it wants to interact with you.

Leave any dog alone if it is:

• Curling its lips and showing you its teeth. However, some dogs “smile” when they first see you firs thing in the morning. This is very different to when they are lip curling. Make sure you know the difference.
• Growling at you or even grumbling under its breath.
• Barking at you and trying to lunge towards you.
• Flattening its ears and stiffening its body.

Use body language. Dogs use lots of body language so show you are happy by wriggling your body and saying “good boy” in a funny happy voice.

If you want to interact with your dog look at it and clearly give an instruction, such as come or take or sit etc.

If you are unhappy with your dog, just turn away, no looking or talking to your dog just leave the room. If you begin to wag your finger or tell your dog off this might encourage your dog to tell you off back and things might get nasty. Just walk away.

If you dog becomes a little bit over-excited and starts to pull at your sleeve or jump up at you, stop playing the game immediately and calmly turn away and ignore the dog. Ask you mum or dad calmly to call your dog away from you so your dog can go and do something less exciting and calm down. Do not scream and become excited yourself, remain calm and call for you mum to help.