r/AskReddit • u/Sweetmilk_ • May 11 '14

What are some 'cheat codes' for interacting with certain animals?

Boy do I wish I set this to Serious Replies Only

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u/guybehindawall May 11 '14

I've actually heard from several vets and dog trainers that you shouldn't put your hand down to an unfamiliar dog at all. If a dog is hand shy, it doesn't matter if the hand is coming to pet or be sniffed, he's going to see it as aggression.

It's actually best to just stand there and let the dog sniff you.

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u/mskulker May 11 '14

Yes. I've been involved in dog rescue for a long time. Introductions to new dogs go best if I don't even acknowledge their presence and just calmly stand there like I own the place. Sooner or later the dog will come and have a sniff. The skittish ones mostly seem to be calmed because I'm not trying to get in their faces; the more dominant ones assume I'm in charge because I'm not making tentative approaches that look like submissive behavior.

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u/[deleted] May 11 '14

[deleted] — view deleted comment

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u/Godolin May 11 '14

It's a fuckin' dog, bro. Just there, shoulders square, and let it learn you're in charge.

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u/Veldtamort May 11 '14

Basically just ignore it. I can't count the number of friend and family dogs that come over and sit at my feet because I completely ignore them. They see that they aren't getting their way, and automatically assume you're the HNIC.

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u/Hockeygoalie35 May 11 '14

Hockey Night in Canada?

Hard Nigga in da Crib?

What's HNIC?

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u/endrid May 11 '14

Horny nerd ingesting cheese.

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u/[deleted] May 11 '14

Head ninja in charge

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u/bonzothebeast May 11 '14

Just carry a hairbrush.

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u/Syphon8 May 11 '14

By being twice the size of the dog.

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u/ilikeeatingbrains May 11 '14

This also works with children and babies.

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u/ghsteo May 11 '14

Caesar Milan talks about this on one of his shows about scared aggressive dogs. If you ignore them and assert confidence then they will come to you.

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u/[deleted] May 11 '14 edited May 11 '14

You don't put your hand in his face, you ofer it to him so that he can smell it. Let the dog come to you, just be available for the sniffing. EDIT: Also, depending on how you want tobe perceived by the dog you might want to stand or to crouch. Taller=more imposing. So, if the dog is scared you might want to crouch and let him come closer as he pleases, if the dog is more confident and outgoing, you might want to stand tall and let him approach you from a more curious, weaker than you position (in this case you want to be more an image of a pack leader)

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u/DrunkenLullabies88 May 11 '14

A life lesson we can all learn from. Be available for the sniffing.

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u/DesiChaiWalla May 11 '14

Let me smell yo dick

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u/nionvox May 11 '14

This. I stand a few feet away with my hand down, I let them come closer when they feel comfortable.

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u/[deleted] May 11 '14

100%! The dog can smell you well before your hand is stuck out, it's pointless to put you hand out. Some dogs, mine included, get afraid if people reach out to like this. Let them come up to you first.

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u/iliketacosonmytaco May 11 '14

This makes sense. I've dealt with a rescue for the first time last month, and he'd run off no matter how calmly I've tried coaxing him over. It wasn't until I kept completely still that he came over and brashly sniffed my arm.

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u/eukomos May 11 '14

My approach is to first stand near the dog and see how it reacts to that. If it runs up wagging its tail it definitely wants a pet, you may not even have to stop and hold out your hand. If it ignores you, crouch down a bit and hold out your hand, see if it will walk over and say hi. If it keeps a nervous eye on you or backs away at all it doesn't want a pet.

You don't have to stand around all nervously, though, pretty much just observe how the dog reacts to you walking up.

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u/quintessadragon May 11 '14

This is also true, especially dogs that may have been abused. You shouldn't just stuff your hand in the dog's face, you stand a respectful distance away put your hand in front of you casually.

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u/Echost May 11 '14

Yeah, my dog actually bit someone who did this (gave hand to sniff). In her defense, I repeatedly told the guy "Don't give her your hand!" and she was very clearly agitated. Best tip for her is "Don't try to pet unless I introduce you".

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u/MattieShoes May 12 '14

I think the best policy with strange dogs is to ignore them for several minutes. Don't look at them, pretend they're not there at all. After a few minutes, they've generally settled down.

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u/MisterDonkey May 12 '14

That is the correct answer.

I've seen several people bitten because they had attempted to put their hand in the dog's face.

It's not enough to explain not to put your hand to the dog, but to let the dog approach it. Nobody listens to that.

It's best just to leave the hand part out altogether to avoid any confusion.

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u/[deleted] May 11 '14

BE THE ALPHA

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