http://gopetfriendlyblog.com/11-tips-for-greeting-a-strange-dog/
So … How do you greet a strange dog? Here are some do’s and don’ts:
1. Don’t approach the
dog. Pretend you are ignoring the dog. Dogs prefer not to be zeroed in
on by strangers. Have you ever noticed how well-mannered dogs meeting
for the first time turn their heads away from each other?
2. Ask the dog’s person for permission to meet their dog. Assuming they say yes, follow the steps below.
3. Stay relaxed. You can
yawn, put on an easy smile, or slowly blink your eyelids. Keep you body
loose. All these signal to the dog that you are not a threat.
4. Do not look the dog
in the eyes. While eye contact signals trustworthiness to most
Westerners, in the dog world it signals aggression or threat.
5. Turn your body so you
are not facing the dog. Again, being face-to-face is polite to most of
us, but can signal threat or aggressive intentions to a dog. Notice how
well-mannered dogs greet – as they approach they make a half-moon curve
as they pass each other and turn nose to butt.
6. Stand straight or
squat. Do not crouch over the dog. I doubt you want to be crouched over
by a stranger and neither does your dog. It’s threatening.
7. Allow the dog to come
to you. Most dogs are naturally curious and they will let you know if
they are interested in you. If not, don’t take it personally.
8. If the dog shows
interest by sniffing you with a relaxed posture, tail wag (not all dogs
will wag and not all wagging is friendly), perhaps looking at you with
soft eyes – then you can slowly offer the dog your hand for
investigation.
9. Let the dog sniff
your hand, if she wants to, and then gently touch the dog on the
shoulder, neck or chest, not the top of the head.
10. The dog will clearly tell you if she wants more interaction or if she is finished with you. Listen to her.
11. If at any time during the interaction the dog backs away, stop what you are doing.