Is It Okay For Strangers To Pet My Dog?

No matter what kind of dog you have, strangers asking to touch or pet them will never go away. Seeing the desperate looks on people’s faces when you are walking by might leave you no choice but to let them reach down and give your dog a few snuggles.

But, is this the right route to go down? Now, many dog parents are asking themselves the question, should I let a stranger pet my dog? New studies have shown that you might want to think twice before giving in and saying yes. Sure, this could be a joyful and positive interaction, but vets are now asking you to put yourselves in their shoes.

Would you want to be touched by a random passerby? Even if your dog loves scratches and cuddles doesn’t mean that it should be done by a stranger. Vets are saying that there are no benefits to allowing strangers to give attention to your dog, but if you do allow it, there are smart ways to go about it. It really all comes down to how your dog reacts when meeting new people.

Sometimes they are simply going towards a stranger because they want to know more about them, and if they enjoy them, they will stay around, and if not, they will lunge away. If your dog does the latter, you shouldn’t allow the stranger to pet them. It’s that simple. And, it’s all about body language. Your dog will show you everything you need to know, you just need to pay attention.