Safety guidelines for approaching unknown dogs

Interacting with unknown dogs requires specific etiquette to avoid causing fear or provoking defensive reactions such as growling or biting. According to the American Kennel Club, the most critical step is to always ask the owner for permission before approaching. Owners may decline contact if their pet is reactive, injured, fearful, or undergoing training.

Even with owner permission, the dog should be allowed to make the final decision. Rather than reaching for a dog's muzzle, it is safer to wait for the animal to approach you. Approaching a dog head-on with direct eye contact can be perceived as a threat; instead, it is recommended to stand slightly to the side and avoid staring. To respect a dog's sense of smell, one should keep hands calm by the body rather than thrusting a palm toward their nose, allowing the dog to sniff at its own pace.