11 Mar Second Chance: How to Say Hello!
Since 1994, the Animal Resource Center and the Shops of Second Chance Humane Society have been dedicated toserving animals in Southwestern Colorado. Adoption hours are every day from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The facility is located at 177 County Rd 10, Ridgway, CO. View shelter pets and services online at secondchancehumane.org.
View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org
Donate here or mail to: PO Box 2096, Ridgway, CO, 81432.
Go here for more about Second Chance.
Can I pet that dog?” Sometimes, a wagging tail and wiggly nose are just too cute to ignore! The urge to break out the baby voice and shower them with affection is almost instinctual. Trust us, we get it! Dogs respect their personal space, just like we do, and they deserve to have that respected in turn. Greeting a dog properly, especially one you don’t already know, is important to create a positive experience for everyone involved and to reduce the risk of bites.
First, if the dog has an owner with them, always ask for permission! Sometimes, dogs in public are being trained, or maybe they don’t like strangers. Owners know their pets and their boundaries. Asking permission first is always the polite—and safest—choice. If the handler says it’s okay, approach the dog slowly and present your side. Avoid staring straight at them and moving too quickly.
Many dogs won’t appreciate having someone lean directly over them to pet their head. Imagine if a stranger walked up to you and started touching your cheeks! Now imagine that they’re quite a bit larger than you, too. Pretty scary, right? A good rule of thumb is to never put your face near the face of a dog you don’t know. Treat them like a stranger, because that’s what they are!
Stay outside of the dog’s bubble and let them come to you. Turning your body slightly to the side or crouching down can help you appear less intimidating. Most dogs who want attention will let you know that they’re ready for pets! Relaxed body language, excited wiggling, and “helicopter tails” are good signs that you’re in the clear. If the dog doesn’t seem interested or shows any signs of fear, back off and admire from afar. Tucked tails, tense posture, barking, and cowering are all clear requests for space.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of approaching a dog in public, let’s talk about shelter pets.
When you’re in the process of looking for a friend to adopt, we urge you to be patient. Some of the sweetest, most loving dogs can come across as uncertain at first. Just because they aren’t the type to run up to you and smother you in kisses right away doesn’t mean that they’re unfriendly. Shelters are stressful, scary places for dogs. There’s so much going on all the time that even the friendliest dog might be afraid.
Always ask questions! The shelter staff wants the best for you and our dogs. They understand all of our animals individually and will advise you on the best way to greet each one. For example, dogs like Ryder and Riff would prefer you sit in a room with them and toss treats to gain trust. Others, like Jenna, Asher, and Lexi, are less picky and ready to say hi right away. Each dog is different and has its own preferences.
Osa
Osa, one of our longest-stay dogs, is a true gentle giant. She is so affectionate: she loves to get belly rubs, run around with her person, and thinks she’s a lap dog even though she’s almost 90lbs. Osa is hesitant when meeting new people. She needs patience, and maybe more than one visit. We promise that she is worth the extra time!
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