Never touch a dog without asking the owner first, especially a dog that you don’t know. Even if the dog looks cute and friendly, you don’t know how the dog can react. Many dogs have stranger danger, so it’s important to always ask the owner first.

Dogs that are injured can lash out and bite when/if in pain. Even your own dog has the potential to snap at you if they are injured, tired or sick. Don’t approach a dog that is not well to prevent this from happening.

Like humans, dogs don’t like to be teased. You may think it’s funny or a game, but a dog will not. Most dogs (even patient ones) can only tolerate so much before they get upset and try to protect themselves. The only way that dogs know how to do this is by growling, snapping and/or biting. This is especially important to remember if you have kids. Never let your children poke, pull, climb or lay on top of a dog.

The most important body part to keep away from your dog is your face. Don’t ever put your face close to a dog’s face, even your own. Just as they may not like another dog’s face in their face, the same is true for human faces. A dog (even your own) can react badly to this and even bite.

We don’t like to be woken up when we are sleeping, and neither do dogs. If you touch him/her or wake your dog up from a deep sleep it can startle him/her. If this happens, he/she could react negatively. When a dog is sleeping, leave him/her be to relax.

Never go into a backyard or home where there may be a dog roaming free. Some dogs are very territorial and guard their home with their life. They could also be trained as a guard dog and will protect their territory to the fullest. Even a dog that knows you can become protective if you enter their territory. It can be very dangerous, but easy to avoid.

Some dogs take this as a challenge or threat and can react badly. The best thing to do is to avoid direct eye contact with any dog, but especially if it’s already behaving aggressively.

All animals are very protective of their young, and dogs aren’t the exception. A dog that has puppies could quickly become fiercely protective of them. Yes, they may look very cute and cuddly, but for everyone’s sake, stay away from them.

Running equals playing, so it’s the worst thing you can do if you are scared and want to get away. Running will turn it into a game and the dog is very likely to chase after you. For some, it sets off their prey instincts. Regardless of the situation, you will never be able to outrun a dog. Instead, stay where you are, fold your arms and turn away from him/her. They will quickly lose interest and carry on. This is when you can calmly walk away and get help (if needed).

Some people leave their dog tied up outside; for example, if they don’t have a fenced yard or if they are quickly running into a coffee shop. It’s important to never approach or touch a dog that is tied up for your own safety. Not only do you have no way of knowing if the dog is friendly, but, even if he/she is, dogs can get defensive when they are tied up alone without their human.

Food is a high quality item for a dog and of extremely high value. When a dog (even your own) is eating, leave him/her alone. Let the dog finish his/her food before you get too close. This is especially true with a dog that you don’t know. But even your dog can show his/her teeth when eating something they feel is of high value.

If the dog’s humans say it’s okay to stroke their dog, then there is a right way to do this. 

Follow these guidelines:

• Offer a closed fist
• Allow the dog to sniff your fist
• If they remain calm and relaxed, stroke them under the chin or on the chest.

Don’t stroke the top of their head or ears until the dog knows you better, as this can be intimidating.

Recognizing a dog’s body language is a great way to stay safe around dogs and determine how the dog is feeling. This is not something that can be done overnight, especially with dog’s that aren’t your own. So if you’re unsure, just stay away. Still, owners are usually pretty good at reading their own dog’s body language and knowing when he/she is uncomfortable.

If a dog has a relaxed body, slightly open mouth and relaxed or gently wagging tail, it means he/she is in a calm state. As well, the dog’s ears will be in their natural position. Dogs that have fear aggression may be in fight mode, so looking at their body language is crucial. A dog like this could have his/her hackles up, ears back, pupils dilated and may even be showing teeth. Knowing these signs will help you to stay safe around any dog.