Whilst out with my dogs in the last few days a few people have approached me, coming in close sticking their hand out to stroke my dogs, a neighbour’s child, someone I know that I bumped into (not literally) out on our walk and a couple of strangers.

This isn’t a problem at all for me because my dogs are friendly, I am a people person, I love chatting about dogs with anyone (no surprise there) and with friends I am, as a mate described yesterday, “a hugger” like he is.

But not all dogs like being touched by strangers, I get it, neither do I. But to live in our human, dog loving world it is thing they need to be able to cope with.

Some things we do are habits that are hard to break, just like our dog’s behaviours. Walking up to stroke someones dog can be a habit.

Some people have fearful, anxious, reactive dogs who are frightened of strangers and may growl, snap or bite so you need to keep people away give them space whilst we work on helping the dog build confidence.

You should always, always ask before approaching and stroking somebody else’s dog. 

• Not all dogs are comfortable being touched by strangers (neither am I to be fair!).
• It is not your dog to touch, he belongs to someone else.
• You have no more right to just touch him/her on the way past as you would if it was a child
• So don’t do it, always ask the person and ask the dog.

Yes you should ask the dog – it is his body you are touching, always wait for a dog to happily approach YOU before touching him.

Stay safe, enjoy your people free dog walks.