Why Social Media's Obsession With Petting Dogs Is Troubling

Social media nowadays is filled with phrases such as "pet all the dogs" or "I just want to pet all the dogs." Most times, you'd see these slogans on t-shirts, bumper stickers, and water bottles. While it expresses how much an individual loves dogs, it fails to consider the dog's comfort.

Just because you love all dogs doesn't mean all dogs will love you. That is why you should always get approval from a dog's parent before approaching and greeting them. If the dog's parent gives you the green light to pet the dog, approach calmly and wait for the dog to approach you rather than reaching out instantly, which some dogs find threatening.

You should still get a dog's parent's consent when a friendly dog runs up to you on the street. That is because they may be training their dog to quit such behavior in public, and by petting the dog, you are encouraging them to continue running up to people.

When you ask for a dog's parent's permission to pet a dog, be prepared to respect their decision if they decline. Reasons a dog's parent may refuse your request include:

• The dog is nervous around strangers.
• The dog is sick or recovering from an injury
• The dog is training to ignore distractions
• The dog's parent is in a hurry.

It's important to respect whatever boundary the dog's parent have set.