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Chronogram Magazine – July 01, 2011 – Rosendale: Enchanted Playground.

Dog Whisperer | National Geographic Channel.

Huh?

Checking to see if I am linked to tumblr

Schumer backs land sale near Walkway Over the Hudson | The Poughkeepsie Journal | poughkeepsiejournal.com.

The Daily Mail > Archives > News > Rails-to-trails wins a vote of confidence.

Rail trail in Marbletown becomes part of Greenway system – DailyFreeman.com.

This may be the most common question asked of dog trainers.   The answer may also be the most ignored of all advice offered in the dog training. So what’s the best way to greet a dog?  Looking at the advice given to children is a good place to start:First, do not run toward and reach for a dog. Walk  casually toward as you stike up a conversation with the owner.  Ask from a distance, “May I say hello to your dog?”   Dog owners should feel free to decline the polite offer without reason.  It’s their dog and their choice.  Owners should definitely decline if they have any hesitation as how their dog might respond to the approach of a stranger.  No dog should ever be forced to allow a stranger to pet them.  The freedom of choice should always be that of the DOG.Even if the owner says, “Sure”,  YOU still need to  ‘ask  the dog’  if he or she wants to greet you.  A good way to be a wee bit certain is to wait to see if the dog is willing to greet you, hence, the reason for pausing at a distance.  How far?  Maybe as much as a big car or suv length… Depends on how big the dog is– the taller and longer the body, the further away you need to be… a big dog can cover a lot more ground more quickly than a small dog.  These are words of caution.  Some dog owners do not know how  to say that their dog might not want to greet you but instead, might want to keep you away.  Remember, you are a stranger to the dog.Assuming the dog is not barking or growling or straining against the leash to get to you,  you should put on a friendly face and turn slightly away from the dog and toward the owner and stand still with one hand at your thigh.  This posture may be less threatening/more friendly and may put the dog at ease.  If the dog approaches you, keep your hand still to allow him or her to sniff you… Do not reach out to pet the dog’s head.  That would probably be too forward of you.  Besides the fact that your hand will go out of sight momentarily,  some dogs perceive the last second movement of your hand as YOU initiating a fight with them. This is one of the most common instances in which dogs bite.  It is done in self defense .So, again, as things progress smoothly in greeting a dog on the street–  Once the dog has sniffed your hand and his body seems generally relaxed  and the owner is too!, you can gently rub under the chin and along the side of the chest and more as you get to know one another.  Enjoy your conversation and greeting session!What if the dog starts to bark, growl and lunge as you approach? Your natural, self-preserving response will likely be to arc around the dog and owner and go on your way.  Please do not take too much offense.  Note the dog’s description and move on by if you should see the dog again. Dogs are like us in some ways and not like us in others.  A  leashed dog has  no way to flee from you if they are afraid and frequently display  the ‘best defense is a good offense’  strategy. Dogs greet one another in an arc to facilitate mutual butt sniffing and to maintain a safe, prepared-to-take-flight distance. Dogs also arc to increase the distance between themselves and something or someone they perceive as danger or threat.

via Cooperative Dog Blog » Blog Archive » How should you to greet a dog?.