Have you ever reached towards the head of a dog to offer some petting, only for the dog to respond by lowering their head and ears and looking up with concerned eyes? Reaching suddenly towards a dog’s head or sticking out your hand above their head for them to sniff can be intimidating and cause a stressful start to your interaction.
When interacting with a dog that is ready for petting, it’s important to offer consent checks! Dogs communicate through subtle body language and consent checks allow them to communicate whether they want to continue to engage with us, or if they want some space.

First, offer your hand low, underneath the dog’s head (a good option is to feed a treat during this) then begin petting slow under the chin, chest, and shoulder area. Give pets for just a few seconds and then slowly pull your hand back. If the dog responds with positive body language (looking up at you with soft eyes, leaning in, pawing towards your hand, relaxed body, loose sweeping tail, etc.) they are looking for more interaction and petting! However, if you pull your hand back and the dog responds with any sign of FAS (fear, anxiety, stress) the dog is communicating that they need a break from petting. Some clear signs include leaning away, whale eyes, lip licking, front paw raise, tucked tail, back leg up exposing belly, and pinned ears.

Just like people, some dogs prefer affection more than others, and there may be a time when your dog is feeling uncomfortable or tired and just wants space more than petting. Consent checks allow our dogs to effectively communicate their needs and help us build a positive relationship with them. The dogs in your life thank you for communicating with them through consent checks!