Approach the dog calmly and slowly, allowing them to sniff your hand to initiate contact and establish trust.
Observe the dog's body language for cues of comfort or discomfort, such as relaxed posture or tense muscles.
Focus on petting areas where most dogs enjoy, such as the chest, shoulders, or base of the neck, avoiding sensitive areas like the face or tail.
Apply gentle pressure with your strokes, avoiding rough or aggressive petting that may cause discomfort or anxiety.
Keep petting sessions short to respect the dog's boundaries and prevent overstimulation, gradually increasing duration as trust builds.
Offer verbal praise or small treats as positive reinforcement for calm and cooperative behavior during petting sessions.
Respect the dog's signals of wanting space or ending the interaction, allowing them to disengage when they've had enough.