Do you really know how to greet a dog? You might be surprised that you are doing it wrong. While I was on vacation, I read a book that was recommended by one of my wonderful clients, The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell. She pointed out that most people tend to pat dogs on the top of the head. This can be percieved as a threat or an insult to a dog. If you observe dogs when they greet other dogs, you will notice that they usually approach each other from the side and don't look directly at each other. Some dogs may tolerate the pat on the head, but a much more polite approach is to allow the dog to sniff you and THEN pet them. Don't just shove your hand in their face. If a dog wants attention, they will approach you. Give them time to log your smells. Let them make the first move. If they indicate that they would like affection after that, you may now offer pets but you should still avoid the head.
If you want more information on the way dogs interpret the world, I highly recommend: http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/
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