How to Approach a Stray Dog

Stray animals can often be quite dangerous, and it's essential to remember that they may be frightened of you. If you accidentally scare them, they might become aggressive. To safely approach a stray, follow these steps. The animal will gradually learn to trust you and might eventually be tamed into a pet.

Be aware if the dog is displaying signs of aggression. Aggressive dogs show hostile behavior through body language, which may include wide-open eyes, bared teeth, ears raised and pointing forward, a stiff tail wagging slowly, fur standing up along the back, and other behaviors. Watch for any signs of aggression and avoid approaching a dog showing signs of hostility.

Avoid prolonged eye contact with dogs. It's recommended to look to the side instead of staring directly at them. This is seen as a sign of dominance by the animal. They view it as a challenge, interpreting it as a potential threat. In general, it's best to avoid direct eye contact with dogs to prevent making them feel scared or threatened.

Be cautious of dogs showing symptoms of rabies. Rabies is a disease that can affect all mammals, including dogs. Infected dogs are often restless, fearful, and aggressive. They may bite or snap at anything in sight, including humans, other animals, and even objects. Rabies is transmitted through bites from infected animals, and dogs carrying the disease may lick or chew at infected wounds. Rabid dogs may also develop fever and heightened sensitivity in their sight, hearing, and touch. It's crucial to keep a safe distance and call a professional to handle the situation.

• Rabid dogs often experience jaw and/or mouth paralysis, which is why foaming at the mouth is a common symptom.
• They may also become disoriented and suffer from seizures.

Attract the dog's attention. You can usually grab a lost dog's attention by making a clicking sound with your tongue or speaking to them in a calm, gentle voice. Avoid startling or frightening the dog, as this can make them wary and potentially lead to an attack. Move slowly, remain calm, and speak softly to avoid scaring the dog, ensuring your own safety.

Approach the dog slowly. After capturing the dog's attention, you should approach them gently, lowering your body to reduce your height. This method helps make the animal feel less threatened. As mentioned earlier, the less frightened the dog is, the more likely you are to approach successfully and safely.

• Avoid crawling or stooping too low, as this could hinder your ability to escape if the dog becomes aggressive. Maintain a safe distance of about 3-4 meters.

Allow the dog to come to you. Once you're closer, let the dog approach you on its own. You can encourage this by speaking gently and extending your hand if the dog shows interest, such as wagging its tail. You can also softly tap the ground in front of you or offer a treat, such as tuna or canned food, to lure the dog closer.

• Extend your hand with your palm facing down. This gesture is less intimidating for the animal and reduces the risk of it biting your fingers.
• Observe the dog's body language if it doesn't approach. You may slowly move closer if the dog seems friendly but still cautious. Be extremely careful as the dog might interpret your approach as a threat, causing it to run away or potentially attack you. Always proceed with caution.

Stay calm and back away slowly if the dog growls or shows its teeth. Do not run, as the dog may interpret it as a game of chase or, worse, it may provoke aggression. Never turn your back on the dog; instead, retreat slowly.

• Avoid making eye contact with the dog.
• Move gently and steadily.

Let the dog sniff your hand. This allows the dog to recognize your scent, similar to a handshake between humans. Avoid moving while the dog is sniffing your hand.

Move your hand to another part of the dog. After the dog has finished sniffing your hand, slowly move your hand to its shoulder. Avoid petting the dog's head, as it might scare the dog or lead to biting. Keep in mind that dogs don't like being touched in certain areas, so proceed gently and let the dog indicate if the contact is acceptable.

Check the tag. Wait until the dog feels comfortable and at ease, or try to leash the dog and place it in a secure, fenced area. Once calm, check the dog’s ID tag. Speak softly and move slowly to avoid frightening or startling the dog. If the dog doesn't have an ID tag, you should contact the local animal rescue center, veterinarian, or animal shelter. You may also consider taking the dog home if it shows a willingness to come with you or seems friendly.

Check the dog's microchip. Many dogs today are microchipped with identification numbers to help locate their owners. You can visit a veterinarian or an animal rescue center with a scanner to detect the chip. If the dog has a chip, you can contact its owner. If not, you may want to post a lost dog notice online, in newspapers, or consider adopting the dog.

• Avoid cornering the animal. It will feel trapped and may have no choice but to attack.
• Even if the dog recognizes that you don't pose a threat, this doesn't mean you can make sudden movements without scaring it. Always move very slowly.
• If you're unable to gain the animal's trust but are still concerned about its well-being, it's best to contact a local animal rescue center. They will guide you on how to earn the dog's trust.
• Try using basic commands, like sit or stay, to see if the dog responds. If it follows the commands, it likely has had previous interactions with humans.
• If the dog is foaming at the mouth, stay away, as it may have rabies. Immediately contact animal control.
• Don't approach an aggressive dog. Signs of aggression include raised fur on its tail, snarling, head lowered, stiff tail wagging slowly, and showing bared teeth.
• Be extra cautious when offering food to a stray dog.
• A frightened or injured dog can act unpredictably. Even a simple movement, like opening a car door, can startle the dog and cause it to run off, even into traffic. If the dog appears aggressive or you feel uneasy, stay inside your car.
• Always be patient, as dogs need time to understand that you are there to help or show love and not to harm them! At first, the dog may not know what you want, so take small steps to show your intentions and the reasons you're there.

• Ensure the dog is healthy and properly vaccinated by checking its vaccination tag.
• Make sure the dog doesn't bite you, as it could transmit diseases.
• Exercise extreme caution when approaching a stray animal. If it has been without human contact for some time, it may not hesitate to attack if it feels threatened.
• Be mindful of how you establish trust with the animal, as you may find yourself in a dangerous situation.
• Never allow children to approach the dog.