I bring my dog Zelda with me to work front desk on the weekends at the local hotel. Zelda is friendly, loves the attention and takes her job seriously. However, I’ve observed something time and time again that honestly makes my skin crawl. Grown adults who have no clue how to greet a strange dog. They greet her as if they would greet their own dog. There is a big difference between the comfort level of a dog you know and live with and a strange dog you just met for the first time.
Dogs talk through body language and display many different “stress signals” to try to tell others that they are uncomfortable with what they’re doing. Most humans don’t understand these stress signals and so do not recognize them. They keep pushing the dogs boundaries without even knowing it.
We love dogs and we want to get close to them, rough up their fur and really show them how we care. But to a dog that doesn’t know you, this type of behavior can be scary and overwhelming. Imagine if a stranger you just met greeted you by getting right in your body space, hugging you or slapping you on the back. You’d probably feel really uncomfortable.
Want to learn more about dog’s stress signals? Read my Body Language and Respect post from my Dogs and Children series.
This is a subject I’ve been meaning to talk about for some time but I wasn’t quite sure how to address it. Dogs running loose on their own is a massive problem in our little community. I wasn’t sure how to address this issue until recently I couldn’t help but comment on a public post about “bad dog owners”. I pointed out that it’s a lot easier to educate people when you don’t insult them, and the response was another barrage of insults but this time directed at me. At first I was annoyed, maybe even mad, and very confused as this person was making zero sense. But I collected myself and remembered that when people respond that way it’s because they’re feeling backed into a corner and defenseless. They were too stubborn to change their own mind and so all they had left was insults to hurl.
But it got me thinking… how do I help educate people on this important topic when there are people resulting to insults hiding behind an anonymous name? I decided to start where I thrive best; educational material online. Just like my Dogs and Children series, I have structured it much the same with info graphs and this post to elaborate a little more. I know it won’t change the minds that really need it, but maybe it will help people understand that this is a broad issue, as well as to bust some common misconceptions I hear.
When Dogs Run Loose it’s often referred to by professionals and bylaw officers as “dog at large”. It means a dog is off their property without an owner or caregiver and without a leash.
There are many reasons it is unhealthy for a dog to run around public and private properties without an owner accompanying them. There are risks to your dogs health and life if you let them run loose.
“LET THEM BE DOGS”
I hear a lot of different reasons why we should “let dogs be dogs” and let them roam the streets and live their lives as they please. I often am told that different cultures have always raised dogs differently, and essentially, who am I to come in and tell them how to raise their dog? Sure, the traditional way to raise dogs makes sense when you think about it in traditional times. But this is 2026 and this is a vastly different world we live in today. It’s time for all humans to step up and take care of our animal friends in a way that keeps them safe and healthy in all regards.
CALL ANIMAL CONTROL
When and if to call Animal Control is going to depend on different factors. I’ve heard a lot of different reasons from people against calling Animal Control (which, in our town, is the Fort St. James District bylaw officers). There has been a lot of controversy ever since they opened their doors January 1st, 2025. I’m not here to touch on most of that, but I am here to bust a few myths I’ve heard floating about.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If, after reading the above points you still don’t feel right calling AC on your friends and neighbors dogs, then maybe offering help is more your style. Sometimes people need help more than judgement or consequences.
They might need help accessing the right equipment (like a proper tie-out), they may need help building a fence, they may need financial aid (there are many resources available for this), or maybe they need the number of a reliable dog walker. There are so many solutions that they could need help with and all you have to do is nicely ask them.
IT IS A COMMUNITY PROBLEM
Dogs at large and left to wander is a community problem. It puts the dogs at risk but it also puts the public at risk as well. When dogs are scared, feel threatened or cornered they will often resort to biting as a means of escape. It doesn’t make them bad dogs, they just feel threatened and are trying to protect themselves. When multiple dogs are left to wander they can “pack up” and become even more dangerous in groups. Even just 2 or 3 dogs running wild can be dangerous and considered a pack.
This is a problem that requires solutions from both the governing body (for us, it’s the District of Fort St. James) as well as community members. If you can hep a dog in need, do it. If you can help a person in need, do it. If you can’t, find someone else who can help and/or enforce the laws we all have to live by for a functioning and safe society.
Now I have little faith this post will solve the problem. But if it helps change the mind of just one person to be more willing to reach out and help instead of judge, or if it makes one person considering finding a way to keep their dog safe at home, then it was worth writing every word and designing every graphic.
I’ve decided to make my three-part article about dogs and children available for free. This subject is near and dear to my heart as well as just being extremely important information. Most dog bites to children happen to the face and can be traumatizing, disfiguring or even fatal. If both dogs and children are taught from a young age how to safely and respectfully interact they can build a beautiful friendship together.
I felt like my Dogs and Children articles overlooked (or in the very least, skimmed) over a couple of very important aspects when thinking of dogs and children. Part four is my way of expanding on those aspects. If you haven’t yet, please go back and read parts one, two and three of my Dogs and Children articles to fully understand the unique yet wonderful relationship kids and dogs have.
If you’d like to see more articles about dog body language and behavior, let me know!
Always Ask Permission
One of the most important things we can teach our children about interacting with strange dogs is to always ask permission before petting them. Since we don’t know the disposition of life experiences of every dog we encounter, it’s important to err on the side of caution when introducing yourself or your child to a new dog. Always ask the owners if you can pet their dog and respect whatever their answer is. Every dog is not put on this world for us to pet (as much as we’d like them to be) and if a dog is not comfortable with being pet or an owner does not want them being pet (for whatever reason) then it’s important to respect that. Petting a dog who doesn’t want to be pet can cause lasting trauma to that dog. For all you know that dog is getting over a traumatic experience involving a persons hands and your movement towards their head just set them back by weeks. Maybe the owner is training their dog to be a service dog and you petting them is distracting from their very important job. Maybe neither dog or person likes interacting with strangers and you know what, that’s okay. How other people feel and think about you is none of your business. Just accept their response and move on with your day.
Be Mindful of HOW the Dog is Pet
When petting a dog, especially a strange dog that you don’t know, it’s important to remember not to reach over top of the dogs head when you pet them. Not all dogs like being touched on the head, and even dogs that do, don’t usually appreciate strangers reaching over top of their head. This is a threatening move to most dogs and can be especially threatening to a nervous or unsure dog.
Instead, reach your hand out calmly for the dog to first sniff. Don’t bring your hand all the way to the dog, hold it out in front of you and allow the dog to come to you to sniff. Once the dog has sniffed you and seems okay with your presence then reach forward to pet their chest and shoulders. Pet slowly and calmly, don’t aggressively pat or scruff up a dog you don’t know. That kind of interaction is best saved for dogs who know you and enjoy that type of touch.
Teach your children this is the proper way to greet a strange dog. Kids tend to get bit in the face because it’s at the right height for a dog to snap at. A kid who reaches over a dogs head to pet them is a kid opening their face up to being bit if the dog is uncomfortable with being pet that way.
Understand Dog Body Language
Whether interacting with a strange dog or a family pet, it’s important to understand dog body language so that you can pick up on the subtle cues your dog is giving you before they become not-so-subtle. Dogs speak volumes with very little so you need to learn these cues and be very keen to watch for them. If your child is old enough, teach them about these cues as well.
If a dog is feeling nervous or unsure then it’s important to back off. There are some important canine body language cues you should know how to recognize and respond to.
WHALE EYE
It is known as “whale eye” when you can see the whites of a dogs eye. They will be turning their eyes and the white in the corner of the eye will be visible. This is a nervous dog.
EARS BACK
If a dog has it’s ears pinned back it usually means they are not happy about something, or may be feeling nervous or uncomfortable. When a dog is relaxed or happy their ears tend to sit up or forward (depending on the way the type of ears).
LIP LICKING
Nervous dogs will often lick their lips repeatedly. Lip licking is a major indicator that a dog could potentially bite.
YAWNING
Dogs don’t always just yawn when they’re tired. When accompanied with other nervous behavior signs (often paired with lip licking) it is an indication that a dog is unsure and nervous.
AVOIDANCE
When a dog shows avoidance behavior they are trying to physically remove themselves from the situation that is making them uncomfortable. If they’re on a leash or in an enclosed space they will not be able to avoid very far. Flight or Fight is the instinct in all mammals to either stay and fight or run away from a threat. If the option to run away is removed (whether in an enclosed space or on a leash) the animal will most likely resort to fighting. This is when bites happen. As soon as you see a dog avoiding something by moving their head away, shrinking back, moving their body back, getting low, trying to escape, then you need to remove that pressure that is scaring them. Whether that’s you, a child, or something else. If the pressure is not removed and there is no option to flee the dog will likely resort to a bite.
GROWLING
Just like the rest of these behaviors listed above, growling should be viewed as a communication tool for your dog. It’s a way for the dog to communicate that something is happening that they don’t like. It’s a warning that a bite may soon follow. It’s really important to never punish a growl. If you punish a growl you may end up removing the growl completely and then you’re left with a dog who bites without a warning.
How to Handle These Behaviors
Teach your children about these cues from dogs that mean they’ve had enough attention. Teach your child that as soon as they see these cues it’s time to stop interacting with the dog and give them space.
If it is your dog exhibiting these behaviors when interacting with children (or really, anyone) then consider it a big red flag that your dog needs some work. Consult a dog behaviorist or dog trainer who understands dog behavior. Your dog may need some work in exposure training (in a controlled setting). Don’t leave them alone with children and supervise all interactions. Watch for the above signs that your dog is uncomfortable and give them more space if they need it.
Shara Walsh 