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wikiHow to Approach a Stray Dog

Two Parts:Getting the Dog's Attention and ApproachingLetting the Dog Examine YouCommunity Q&A

Stray animals can be dangerous, and you must always remember that they are probably frightened by you. If you unintentionally threaten them, they could become violent. If you want to approach a stray animal, follow these steps. Ideally, the animal will learn to trust you, and hopefully become tame enough for you to bring home.

Part 1
Getting the Dog's Attention and Approaching

  1. 1
    Beware of aggressive dogs. An aggressive dog may show specific body language indicating its aggressiveness. This might include eyes that look larger than normal, lips moved to show teeth, ears positioned up and forward, a stiff tail possibly with a slow wag, hair standing along the back, and more.[1] Pay attention for any signs of aggression and do not approach a dog that you think may be aggressive.
  2. 2
    Avoid prolonged eye contact. Look to one side of the dog rather than staring it down. Dogs consider this to be a sign of domination. They interpret it as a kind of challenge, and it can cause the dog to think you want to fight.[2] Just as you should avoid eye contact with the dog in general—as above—prolonged eye contact might also anger or scare the dog.
  3. 3
    Beware of dogs exhibiting symptoms of rabies. Rabies can affect all mammals—dogs included. A rabid dog might be restless, apprehensive, and aggressive. Dogs with rabies may bite or snap at anything with which it comes into contact, including people, other animals, or even inanimate objects. Rabies is spread by bites from infected animals, and an infected dog may lick or chew the bite where they were infected. The dog may also have a fever and be sensitive to light, sound, and touch—all the more reason to steer clear of an infected animal and call a professional to remove it.[3]
    • Because a rabid dog may have a paralyzed jaw and/or mouth, they may foam at the mouth—a familiar sign of rabies.
    • Rabid dogs may also appear disoriented and experience seizures.
  4. 4
    Get the animal's attention. Often, making a soft clicking noise with your tongue, or talking to a stray quietly will be effective in getting a stray dog's attention. It is imperative that you do not startle or scare a stray dog, as they can become defensive and potentially attack you.[4] Move slowly, remain calm, and use a soothing voice—doing so should keep you from scaring the dog, and thus help keep you safe too.
  5. 5
    Approach the animal very slowly. If you have gotten the dog's attention, approach very slowly, ideally from a crouching position so as to appear smaller than you are. This technique can help to make you appear less intimidating to the animal. Again, the less you scare the animal the more successful you'll be in approaching safely and effectively.
    • Do not get down on your hands and knees, as this will make it harder for you to get away if the animal decides to attack. Only come within 10–15 feet (3.0–4.6 m) of the animal.
  6. 6
    Allow the dog to approach you. Once you have gotten close, allow the dog to come to you. You might be able to get the dog to come to you by calling to it in a soothing voice[5] and putting out your hand if it shows interest, such as by wagging its tail. Gently pat the ground in front of you—you can also offer the dog strong-smelling food such as tuna or canned dog food to lure it into coming closer.[6]
    • Hold out your hand palm down. This is less threatening to most animals, and also lessens the chances of your fingers being bitten.
    • Observe the dog's body language if it does not approach. You may slowly—very slowly—start to take a few small steps toward the animal if it seems friendly but shy. Use utmost caution here, as the dog may be frightened by you moving toward it too closely. He or she may simply run away, but they might also interpret the movement a different way and attack, so be careful.
  7. 7
    Stay calm and slowly back away if the dog snarls or bares its teeth. Do not run. The dog could interpret such an action as an invitation to chase, or, worse yet, a challenge or act of aggression.[7] If you use caution as you back away you should be able to move away without an incident.
    • Do not make eye contact.
    • Move slowly.

Part 2
Letting the Dog Examine You

  1. 1
    Let the dog smell your hand. This allows them to identify your scent, and acts in much the same way as the sensation of touch does for humans. In a sense, the dog smelling your hand is something like a handshake—it is getting introduced to you. Remain motionless while the dog smells your hand.
  2. 2
    Move your hand to another part of the dog. Allow the animal to finish its examination of your hand, then slowly move your hand to its shoulder. Do not pet its head, as it may scare them or cause them to bite. Remember that many animals have areas that they do not like having touched, so go slowly and allow the animal to tell you whether what you are doing is okay with its reactions, etc.
  3. 3
    Check the tags. Wait until the animal is comfortable and secure or try to contain the dog with a leash or in a fenced-in yard, then check for an identification tag.[8] Speak softly and move slowly to avoid frightening or startling the dog. If the animal has no ID tag, call your local rescue center, vet, or somewhere the animal will be able to stay. You may even consider bringing the dog to your home if it is agreeable enough to come with you peacefully or if it is friendly.
  4. 4
    Check for microchip implant. Many dogs now routinely have microchip implants installed that contain identification numbers used to find owners. Find a veterinarian or rescue center that has a microchip implant scanner, and they will be able to tell you if the animal has a microchip implant. If they do, the owner should be able to be contacted.[9] If they do not, you can hang found dog signs, place an ad online or in a newspaper, or consider adopting the animal for yourself.

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • How do I find out where my local animal shelter is?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Try an Internet search, entering your location and "animal shelter." Alternatively, contact a national organization such as the ASPCA and ask for the nearest shelter in your area. Another good place to ask is at a local vet clinic. They may well work with the local shelter animals and be well acquainted with where they are.
  • How do I help an old stray dog walk with my dog?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Make sure your dog is well-trained so it's under control and not intimidating to the stray. Walk your dog parallel to the stray (rather than approach head on), as this is less threatening to the stray. If he moves towards you, then reward and encourage the bold behavior with quiet praise. Try scattering treats near you as an extra incentive for the dog to approach.
  • What should I do if the puppy keeps staring at me, but doesn't wag its tail and backs away if I go near it?
    wikiHow Contributor
    The puppy could be frightened or shy. Try crouching, kneeling, or sitting to make yourself look smaller and less intimidating. Hold out a biscuit or a treat and wait for the puppy to come to you. If the puppy still won't come, set the biscuit or treat down on the ground in front of you (keep it about an arm's length away from you) and wait for the puppy to approach you. Keep in mind that some dogs will need more time than others.
  • Why should I back away from a dog?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Dogs' wild ancestors are wolves, who are very territorial. If a dog appears to feel threatened, challenged etc. you're going to want to back away, letting it know you're not a threat, and you don't want to hurt it.
  • How can I befriend a shy dog if it is aggressive and chases me away when I try to approach him?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Bring treats and offer them to the dog at a distance. If he remains aggressive, do not approach the dog.
  • What if I befriend the puppy, but it has no owner and I am not able to keep it?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Call a local shelter. If they are not able to take it call the police and see if they can take the dog to a shelter.
  • I love dogs but my parents do not allow me to touch stray dogs. How can I help them?
    wikiHow Contributor
    If you see a stray animal, call the SPCA or another animal rescue group and give them the location of the animal. They will take care of it.
  • What do I do if a stray dog follows me home, but my parents don't want to keep it?
    wikiHow Contributor
    You should probably see if it has a tag or microchip. It could be someone's lost pet. If no one claims it, you should take it to your local animal shelter or try to find someone who can take it in.
  • What should I do if a stray dog barks at me when I'm with my own dogs?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Speak calmly to your dogs and walk them away from the stray dog. Back away slowly. If your dogs are very small, pick them before you retreat.
  • What should I do if a stray dog attacks me?
    wikiHow Contributor
    Contact animal control immediately following the attack and seek medical attention if necessary.
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    • Never corner an animal. It will make it feel trapped and feel as if it has no option but to attack you.
    • Even after the animal has determined that you mean no harm, this does not mean that sudden movement will not scare the animal. Remember to move slowly.
    • If you cannot gain the trust of the animal, but fear for its life or safety, the best thing to do is call your local animal shelter. They may also advise you on how best to handle gaining the trust of the animal.
    • Try using basic commands to see if the dog understands—sit, stay, etc. If he reacts accordingly, he has been with humans before.
    • If there is foam by its mouth, you should stay away as it might have rabies. Call animal control immediately.
    • Never approach an aggressive dog. Aggressive signs may include hair standing on end, lips curled in a snarl, growling, a lowered head, a stiff tail or possibly a slow wag.
    • Take extreme caution when feeding stray dogs.
    • A strange, frightened, and possibly sick or injured animal can behave unpredictably. A sudden move on your part, even opening your car door, can spook the him/her and cause him/her to bolt—possibly right onto the highway. If the animal looks or acts threatening, or if you feel uneasy about the situation, stay in your car.
    • Be patient, as the dog will have to learn at his/her own pace at understanding you are only there to help or to love him/or her and that you mean no harm! The dog doesn't understand what you want at first, you have to take baby steps into showing him exactly what you want and why you are there.
    • If the dog bites you, stay calm. Wash your wound and treat it as best as possible.


    • Make sure the dog doesn't have any illness and has been vaccinated properly—check for vaccination tags.
    • Make sure that the dog does not bite you or you could get sick.
    • Be very careful when approaching a strange animal. If it is stray, it may have not had any kind human contact for a while, and may not hesitate to attack you if it thinks you are dangerous.
    • Be careful how you try to gain the animal's trust. You may be put in harm's way.
    • Do not let any children near the dog.

    Article Info

    Categories: Animal Rescue

    In other languages:

    Français: amadouer un chat ou un chien errant, Español: acercarse a un perro o gato callejero, Deutsch: Sich einer streunenden Katze oder einem streunenden Hund nähern, Português: Se Aproximar de um Cão de Rua, Italiano: Avvicinarsi a un Animale Randagio, Русский: приручить бездомную кошку или собаку, Bahasa Indonesia: Mendekati Anjing Jalanan, Nederlands: Een zwerfhond benaderen, Tiếng Việt: Tiếp cận chó đi lạc

    Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 123,906 times.

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