Showing posts with label How To Pet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How To Pet. Show all posts
As a responsible pet owner, you must do your best to love and care for your animals. Taking them to the vet for annual check ups and preventative services is a must! Learn about ten diseases your pet may develop over their lifetime and how you can prevent them, as well as prevent yourself from contracting them as well!
CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE
What is Cat Scratch Disease (CSD)?
First discovered in 1889 by Henri Parinaud, this usually benign disease is caused by the bacteriumBartonella henselae. It is also known as "Cat Scratch Fever".
In 1950, Dr. Robert Debré discovered cats to be the natural reservoir for the bacterium, hence the name "Cat Scratch Disease". CSD is commonly found in children 1-2 weeks following a cat scratch or bite; the bacteria is more likely to be found in the blood stream of kittens rather then adult cats. About 40% of cats carry Bartonella henselae at some time in their lives but you cannot tell a cat as a carrier from an uninfected cat.
Symptoms of CSD include swollen Lymph nodes (especially those around the head, neck, and upper limbs.) A human with CSD may experience fever, headache, fatigue, and a loss of appetite.
To avoid any possible CSD infections, don't "play rough" with kittens and cats, as they are more like to scratch or bite. If you do receive a a scratch or a bite, immediately wash them thoroughly with running water and soap. Do not allow kitty to to lick any open wound you may have.
HOOKWORMS
What are Hookworms?
A hookworm is a parasite that has "hooks" inside its mouth for attaching to its host. Puppies and kittens are more likely to be infected with hookworms then adult pets, which makes it especially important for you, as a responsible pet owner, to take your new pet to a veterinarian and have Kitty or Fido "dewormed", a process using antibiotics that kills the parasites.
People can become infected with hookworms through contact with animal feces. You may say how is that possible? An example is a small child playing in the dirt where a pet has gone to the bathroom. Hookworm eggs and/or larvae might be left behind as a result and a small child might accidentally come in contact with them.
Infection by hookworms can appear in several ways for a human. If you are infected by the hookworm larvae, it can travel through the body in what is known as "larva migrans". Hookworm larvae can also cause a painful and itchy skin infection as the larvae moves through your skin. How unpleasant!
If you should accidentally ingest animal hookworm eggs, the larvae that hatch out of the eggs can reach the intestine and cause bleeding, (swelling), and abdominal pain.
This is why it is so important to have your pets dewormed!
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a disease is caused by spiral-shaped bacteria called leptospires. Leptospirosis is not uncommon in the United States but infections can happen. Dogs are more likely to become infected; while there have been cases of cats becoming infected, it is rare.
The disease is transmitted via urine and other body fluids, but not in saliva. Humans and animals can become infected through contact with contaminated urine (or other body fluids), water, or soil.
Infection in humans resembles a mild flu and rarely has serious complications. Pets can received a vaccination against Leptospirosis but because there are so many types of leptospires it is not 100% effective.
Rodents such as mice and rats also carry Leptospirosis so make sure you keep any pest problems under control to minimize risk of infection to your pets. Also keep your pets away from wildlife critters, as they may be infected.
PSITTACOSIS
What is Psittacosis?
Psittacosis (pronounced "sit-ta-co-sis") is caused byChlamydia psittaci, a type of bacteria. All birds are susceptible to Psittacosis; pet birds such as parrots, parakeets, macaws, and cockatiels and poultry (turkeys and ducks) are most frequently involved in transmitting the disease to humans.
It's is difficult to tell whether a pet bird is infected. A bird sick with Psittacosis can show one or several of the following symptoms; eye discharge or swelling, labored breathing, shivering, weight loss, lethargy, "fluffed up" appearance, diarrhea, or weakness.
The disease can be transmitted via droppings from an infected bird that become aerosolized (dispersed in the air as very fine droplets or dust particles.) Inhaling these aerosolized particles causes the infection.
It is important to not overcrowd birds into a cage and to arrange cages so materials such as urine, feces, food and feathers can not spread between them. Feeding your bird properly and making sure its cage is clean is very important!
LYME DISEASE
What is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial disease caused byBorrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria is spread via ticks. When an infected tick hitches a ride on a dog or horse, then jumps to a human and bites them, the human can become infected with Lyme Disease.
Within 1 to 2 weeks of being infected, people may develop a rash that looks like a bull's eye and run a fever. They may also have headaches and muscle or joint pain. Other people have a fever and other flu-like symptoms without a rash. Some people who are infected do not show any early symptoms of the disease.
After several days or weeks, the bacteria may spread throughout the body of an infected person. These people can get symptoms such as rashes in other parts of the body, pain that seems to move from joint to joint, and signs of inflammation of the heart or nerves. If the disease is not treated, a few patients can get additional symptoms, such as swelling and pain in major joints or mental changes, months after getting infected.
To protect yourself from risk of exposure to Lyme disease, you should avoid areas that are likely to be infested with ticks, particularly during the spring and summer, whenever possible. If you are going into an area where ticks are, wear light colored clothes so you can easily spot and remove a tick before it becomes attached.
Since ticks are close to the ground, tuck your pants into your socks and wear high rubber boots to minimize exposure. It is also a good idea to wear long sleeved shirts.
If the weather is hot, applying insect repellent containing DEET and Permethrin should help reduce risk of tick attachment. Follow the directions and apply accordingly.
If you have been in an area where ticks are, check for and remove them promptly. Transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi is unlikely to occur before 36 hours after the tick attaches itself, so do not waste time checking for ticks. Any embedded ticks should be removed by using fine-tipped tweezers and the area cleansed with an antiseptic.
Reduce the number of ticks around your home and yard by removing leaf litter and bush/wood piles around your home and yard. This is a good idea to keep ticks from getting on your pets!
SALMONELLOSIS
What is Salmonellosis?
Salmonellosis (pronounced sal-mohn-el-OH-sis) is a disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella. Many kinds of animals can pass salmonellosis to people. Usually, people get salmonellosis by eating contaminated food, such as chicken or eggs. Pet Dogs, cats, birds, horses, and farm animals can pass Salmonella in their feces. When people come into contact with the contaminated feces and do not properly wash their hands, they run the risk of becoming ill.
Lizards, snakes, and turtles, baby chicks, and ducklings are especially likely to pass salmonellosis to people. This is why it is so important to make sure young children wash and disinfect their hands after petting animals at a petting zoo!
Many different kinds of Salmonella can make people sick. Most people have diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain that start 1 to 3 days after they get infected. These symptoms usually go away after 1 week. Sometimes, people have to see a doctor or go to the hospital because the diarrhea is severe or the infection has affected other organs.
Protecting yourself from the risk of Salmonella includes washing your hands with soap and running water if you've come in contact with animal feces. It is also important to wash and disinfect your hands after touching reptiles or any objects and surfaces that a reptile has also touched. Be extra cautious when visiting farms, petting farm animals, or visiting a petting zoo.
TOXOCARIASIS
What is Toxocariasis?
Toxocariasis (TOX-o-kah-RYE-us-sis) is a zoonotic (zoonotic means "animal to human") infection caused by the parasitic roundworms commonly found in the intestine of dogs and cats. Puppies usually contract from the mother before birth or from her milk. The larvae mature rapidly in the puppy's intestines; when the pup is 3 or 4 weeks old, they begin to produce large numbers of eggs that contaminate the environment through the animal's feces. The eggs soon develop into infective larvae.
Infection is possible through contact with infected feces. This can happen if you have to clean up puppy's mess or children playing in/eating contaminated dirt where puppy has gone to the bathroom.
To prevent the spread of Toxocariasis, please have your pets, especially when they are young, treated regularly to prevent roundworms. This a process called "deworming" and is done via medications you give to your pet.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after playing with your pets and outdoor activities. Teach children to always wash their hands after playing with dogs and cats and after playing outdoors. Also teach children that it is dangerous to eat dirt or soil and they should not touch their hands to their mouths if they are dirty.
Do not allow children to play in areas that are soiled with pet or other animal feces. Clean your pet's living area at least once a week. Feces should be either buried or bagged and disposed of in the trash.
LYMPHOCYTIC CHORIOMENINGITIS
What is Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV)?
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) is carried by rodents. This includes hamsters, pet mice, guinea pigs as well as wild rodents such as field mice, rats and other pests. Pet rodents can become infected with LCMV after being in contact with wild rodents at a breeding facility, pet store, or home. If you intend to keep these animals as pets, be sure to get them from reputable stores or breeders!
Humans can develop LCMV infections from exposure to rodent urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting material of infected rodents. Exposure to the virus can also occur when these materials are directly introduced into broken skin or into the nose, eyes, or mouth or by a bite from an infected animal. The risk of infection from a pet is very rare!
To reduce the risk of exposure, and to practice general safety, remember to wash your hands with soap and water after handling pet rodents. Keep their cages clean and free of soiled bedding. When you clean their cage, do it in a well-ventilated area or outside. And although they are cute and fluffy, do not kiss pet rodents or hold them close to your face!
TOXOPLASMOSIS
What is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis (pronounced "TOX-so-plaz-MO-sis") is a disease caused by a parasite calledToxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis is passed to people from contaminated cat feces. This can happen when you clean kitty's litter box or touching dirt where cats might have been, like soil in the garden or planting area of your yard.
Toxoplasmosis can also be passed to humans when they eat meat that is not cooked completely, especially pork, lamb, or deer meat.
Most people who get Toxoplasmosis do not get sick, but some people will get swollen glands, muscle aches and feel as though they have the flu. Women who are pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant should be especially careful about Toxoplasmosis! This disease can infect the fetus and cause birth defects or abortion. Infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people getting treatment for cancer are more susceptible to Toxoplasmosis infections.
To reduce your risk of Toxoplasmosis, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly with running water and soap after contact with cat feces (especially after you clean the litter box) and after gardening.
If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant or have a weakened immune system, do not clean a cat's litter box! Ask your partner or a relative to do it for you. It is also wise to keep your cat indoors. Make sure that kitty's litter box is cleaned daily and do not feed undercooked meat to your cat.
BRUCELLOSIS
What is Brucellosis?
There are many types of Brucellosis in animals, strains of which mostly affect domesticated livestock and wild bison and elk. The type that affects dogs is called Brucella canis.
Brucella canis is rarely transmitted to humans, because pet owners rarely come in contact with their dog's blood or reproductive fluids. But if it is passed to humans it can cause a fever that may progress the endocarditis (a very serious infection of the heart.)
Source: squidoo.com
Need to know that your vet will look after your pet well when they are sick? The best solution is to find a good vet in advance before you need one, to make sure that you feel happy that they will provide the best care for your particular pet.
Choose the right Vet for you.
Ask others in your area of their experiences. Word of mouth recommendations are very valuable as they are usually not biased, and you are more likely to get a true appraisal of the abilities of the vet and the practice in general.
Approach local animal shelters and animal clubs who will have experience of many different vets.
Make sure the vet has experience with your species of pet. For instance, even if a vet has a very good reputation as a canine vet, this is useless if you own a rabbit, because the two species are utterly different.
Prepare a list of questions to ask the vet. These should include:
- Opening times, important if you need to have flexible access to your vet, for instance evenings and weekends.
- Fees – find out their standard consultation fees, also their fees for standard treatments such as vaccinations, worm and flea treatments etc.
- Emergencies – what are the arrangements for out of hours emergency care for your pet, for instance do they do home visits?
- Alternative medicine – find out what their attitude is towards alternative and complementary treatments for your pet.
Never be afraid to ask a vet anything. If you feel afraid to ask them something to do with your pet and it's well-being, this obviously isn't the right vet for you.
If your pet especially doesn't like a certain vet, but doesn't mind others, follow your pet's instincts.
Warnings:
Make sure your vet isn't trying to take your money- a good vet will truly care about your pet.
Source: wikihow.com
Visiting the vet for a routine check-up or for a health concern throughout your pet's life can be made easier and more successful by following some simple steps.
Get your pet used to you touching it so that when the vet feels it, it doesn't mind too much. It is very important that your pet is used to having his mouth inspected.
His feet and nails touched and to being lifted up and moved around. It is also really useful to familiarise your pet with being transported in the car from an early age as well. The familiarity with handling and travelling will ease a lot of the tension for your pet and it also makes it much easier for you and the vet to look for health problems and to administer medication.
Keep your pet restrained or boxed.
When transporting your pet, make sure that she is properly restrained in the car for her and your family's safety. For cats, rabbits, rodents, small dogs, etc. a carrier basket is appropriate. For larger dogs, they might need safety belt restraints or a special dog compartment in the back of the car. Once in the vet's, do not let your pet wander about freely. Many other owners with their pets will be in there and it is very easy for things to get out of control when pets confront one another. Most vets will expect that you keep your pet in its box or on its leash.
Make notes.
If something is bothering you about your pet, it is really helpful to keep notes about the things that you notice, such as reduced appetite, biting one area of the body, pacing, making strange noises, vomiting etc. This will help explain the problem to the vet and you will be able to provide information about the duration of the problem, the precise symptoms and the reactions that you have noticed in your pet.
Ask the veterinary receptionist for advice on what to do ahead of the appointment.
Give a brief explanation of the problem and ask the receptionist if you need to bring a urine or stool sample, not feed your pet, or do anything else in particular.
Be an active participant in your pet's examination.
Sometimes the worry about a pet's condition can cause us to forget any questions that we may have had at home. The answer to this is to write them down as they come to you at home and bring them with you to the vet. Ask also if there are any reliable internet references that you can use. Some things to ask about include:
Discuss your pet's dietary habits. It is always helpful to briefly discuss your pet's diet, especially during routine check-ups. Many vets will likely ask about this but if not, bring the topic up yourself. As your pet grows, different needs for nutrients will occur and if you are not sure about these, ask. If your pet has particular problems, ask if there is anything about your pet's diet that needs changing.
Ask about dental issues. Related to a good diet, often we don't consider the dental needs of pets. It is important to ask about dietary habits that promote good teeth. Be aware that cleaning an animal's teeth is usually a major exercise requiring general anaesthetic, so getting it right to begin with is important.
Discuss any grooming challenges that you are facing. If you are finding long hair is causing problems, ask the vet for solutions. It is important to know what to do, as a severely matted pet may have to undergo general anesthetic to have the matted fur removed.
Keep records of vaccinations.
Even if you rely on the vet to keep records, it is good to also maintain your own records. Bring them to the vet every time and have the records filled out. This will assist you to remember what has been done, when the next vaccinations are due and is also handy if you change your vet.
Ask for a demonstration of giving medication.
Don't be afraid to ask the vet to show you how to give a prescribed medication. Vets are more than happy to show you and be reassured that you fully understand what needs to be done. If you prefer the vet to give regular medications, such as worming tablets, that's fine too provided that you can afford frequent visits.
Tips
Be sure to discuss all of the items and services offered for purchase by technicians. Some items can be bought on-line much cheaper or may be postponed while some may save you a lot of money in the long run. But be aware of the fact that medications bought from online retailers may not have been stored in the same conditions as they are in a veterinarian's office.
When starting puppies and kittens on vaccines, be prepared to make at least 3 visits and spend around $100 per visit.
Most of the on-line medications that have been mentioned above are not guaranteed by the companies that make the drugs due to the way in which they purchase or obtain the drugs. While a lot are cheaper, if you ask you vet and bring in a copy of the price, most will match what is being offered online and you can then be sure of the quality of your product.
If your pet has had problems with vomiting, diarrhea or urine, bring a sample to the vet with you.
If your pet seems to get a bit nervous or creates a fuss over going to the vet take something that might help to calm it down before the vet starts to take a look at it. For Example: a chew toy or a teddy etc
You can also bring your pet's favorite treat or toy to help calm it down.
Warnings
Do not feed your animal if you think x-rays will be needed. The food in the stomach can sometimes block the view of organs such as stomach, intestines, and bladder.
Ask about all costs of any procedures, including care after the initial procedure. A procedure may cost several hundred more than first anticipated when you include the vet care necessary after the first procedure is through. This may help you plan ahead and sort out your finances as needed.
Things You'll Need
List of questions
Carrier basket or restraint
Your pet's favorite chew toy
Source: wikihow.com
Finding the best food is vital to your pet's health and longevity. But deciphering pet food labels can be confusing. Follow these steps to be able to understand pet food labels and be able to compare pet products with confidence.
Learn to look beyond the marketing claims accompanying pet food.
In the USA, pet food labeling is regulated on a federal (FDA) and state-by-state basis, with guidance from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). However, AAFCO provides only minimum requirements.
The reality is that pet food producers often use terms that are undefined by the regulations, in order to communicate more effectively with consumers and improve their product's image in the market. The AAFCO warns on their website that "it is not rare at all that labeling and marketing information is designed to appeal to the latest trend in marketing human products." In other words, the focus tends to be more on appealing to our preferences than on whether or not the food is suitable for your pet.
For this reason, learn to look behind the marketing hype and to find the real substance of the nutrition status within the pet food.
Locate the "Guaranteed Analysis" on the pet food label.
See the example under "Tips" below. Note that the percentages given for protein, fat, and fiber are measurements of the food in its current state. However, because different pet foods have different levels of moisture, you can only logically compare pet foods on a dry matter basis. Moisture levels in pet foods can range from approximately 6 percent to as much as 80 percent. Canned food obviously contains more moisture than dry kibble. But it may not necessarily contain as much protein, for example. You can't tell which food contains the most protein, fat or fiber until you have converted both labels to a dry matter basis.
Determine the amount of dry matter first, by subtracting the percentage given for moisture from 100 percent. Using the example below, the moisture accounts for 10 percent of the pet food. Therefore, the dry matter content is (100% - 10% = ) 90% of the pet food.
Convert the protein, fat and fiber percentages to a dry matter basis by dividing the percentages given on the label by the amount of dry matter (from the previous step). In our example, the 26 percent protein on the label converts to 28 percent on a dry matter basis by dividing 26% by 90%. (Notice that in this example the dry matter calculation is only slightly different than the labeled percentage. This is because the moisture level was only 10 percent per the label. If the moisture level had been, say, 40 percent, then the dry matter content would have only been 60 percent and protein on a dry matter basis would have been calculated as (26% divided by 60% =) 43%.)
Compare the new protein level of 28 percent on a dry matter basis to other pet foods (once you've converted the other pet food labels in the same way). Do similar comparisons for fat and fiber after converting to a dry matter basis calculation.
Be aware that percentages alone don't tell the whole story.
You may have 28 percent protein on a dry matter basis, but what is the source of that protein? You can get protein from chicken beaks and feet that are not good sources of nutrition for your pet! This means that you'll need to look next at the list of ingredients. Pet foods must list ingredients in order of weight. Generally, the first five ingredients will make up the majority of the pet food product. Ideally, look for meat as one of the first ingredients on a pet food label. Grains, such as corn, corn meal, whole wheat, barley, rice are used to provide essential energy for the pet and appealing texture to the kibble.
Even the AAFCO website admits that "Economics plays a part in any ingredient selection" and "protein is not simply protein. Ingredients providing protein have specific amino acids which may or may not match the amino acid profile required by a cat or a dog." Manufacturers routinely combine multiple protein sources to provide for all the amino acids required for a healthy life.
Be mindful that pet food manufacturers can manipulate this information.
For example, by breaking an ingredient down into components and then listing them individually so that you don't notice a easily recognized undesirable ingredient too near the top of the list, this information can be effectively changed enough to cause you to read the label differently.
Some pet owners search for pet foods that use human grade ingredients with no animal by-products and avoid pet foods that use artifical colors, flavors, sugars and chemical preservatives (notably BHA and BHT).
However, some animal by-products like liver and other internal organs are excellent sources of the amino acids and other nutrients that dogs and cats need. In addition, dry pet foods need preservatives to prevent spoilage and degradation of essential nutrients.
Contact the manufacturer direct to find out what the "by-products" listed in their product actually consist of. Be aware that this may change without warning. Sometimes your pet's reaction will be enough to make this obvious!
Do a cost per weight analysis to determine the weight value of the pet food product.
The density of dry products can be changed through puffing up the food, while different wet foods can be labeled with pounds or ounces (or other measurements), making weight comparison harder. Check the price comparison to get the real value.
Check the label for "nutritional adequacy".
This is one of the most important aspects of a pet food label because it can impact a pet's health if claims are made about being nutritionally complete when the product is not able to meet all nutrient requirements for your pet. To be reassured on this count, look for:
The words: "(Name of product) is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO (Dog/Cat) Food Nutrient Profiles."
Or look for the words: "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that (name of product) provides complete and balanced nutrition."
Be sure to choose the right life cycle stage for your pet - this should be on the label too (for example, kitten/puppy). Pet food needed for pets that are growing, reproducing or working hard should be chosen with care that it can meet all the nutrient requirements for that pet. Size, breed or senior labeling claims must meet the criteria for adequate adult pet nutritional needs; in reality, the more precise claims are harder to ascertain.
Read the feeding instructions.
Even if you think you know how to feed your pet the particular product, changes do happen or you might have transposed feeding instructions from one product to a new one. Always read these with care to ensure that you are feeding your pet adequately. However, even though manufacturers try to cover all contingencies, you still need to monitor your own pet's needs, preferences and environmental conditions. Talk to your vet if you're unsure, especially with respect to growing and reproducing pets.
As part of feeding, also read the calories provided by the product. The amount of calories provided can vary considerably between products and between dry and wet foods. If your pet is growing, overweight or underweight, or has an illness, calories are of especial interest.
Calorie statements are made on a "kilocalories per kilogram" basis. Kilocalories are the same as the "Calories", while a "kilogram" is a unit of metric measurement equal to 2.2 pounds. It may also be stated as "per cup" or "per can", alongside the required kilocalories per kilogram statement.
Be savvy about marketing claims such as natural, organic, premium, etc.
These are marketing words without official definitions to back them up. While it is surely to be hoped that all pet food is "natural", this usually refers to a lack of artificial additives, colors or flavors. The words "premium" and "gourmet" and the like are marketing speak and don't mean anything more than what the overall packaging suggests to the consumer. Organic pet food should be free of synthetic additives but guidelines are still under development for the official meanings.
Here's an example of the guaranteed analysis section of a pet food label:
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:
Crude Protein, not less than……….….26.0%
Crude Fat, not less than……………....16.0%
Crude Fiber, not more than…...............4.0%
Moisture, not more than……………….10.0%
Be aware that actual meat may not have to be added to a pet food to produce a "flavor". For example, a chicken flavor can be produced using a "chicken digest" (such as heat treatment or the addition of enzymes or acids), while a real chicken hasn't been anywhere near the resulting product. Also be aware that claims of "no artificial flavors" are often marketing hype as few pet foods include such flavoring.
Do not feed cat food to dogs and vice versa. Each species has different nutritional requirements, which the pet food manufacturers cater for.
Source: wikihow.com
Do you wonder how to pet a dog? Are you kind of scared that the dog might bite you? Follow these steps, tips, and warnings and you won't get bitten by a dog.
Steps
1. Ask the owner. The dog might look friendly, but if you don't know the dog there is no way to tell how it reacts to strangers. If the owner gives you special instructions that differ to the ones told here, follow them. Ask the owner where they like to be petted.
2. If the dog seems receptive to petting (not growling, jumping and no tail between the legs), then hold your hand in front of the dog's nose with the back part of your hand exposed to the dog, loosely curled almost to a fist (this will keep your fingers from being bitten).
3. Let the dog sniff your hand. If the dog looks up at you (away from your hand) you should be safe to open your hand with the palm toward the dog and fingers extended.
4. If the dog still shows no sign of aggression, slowly stroke the dogs neck just under the jaw.
5. If you have been successful to this point, you may move your hand across the back.
6. Be aware that some dogs are "head-shy" and do not like being petted on top of the head. Also some dogs dislike having their hind-ends petted. Any growl, tail down or sudden moves should signal that you need to STOP what you are doing immediately and stand still. No sudden moves of your own.
7. If you are a "friend" of this dog, more contact may be allowed, such as belly rubs or ear rubs. When the dog trusts you, you may even walk the dog.
Look, dogs want to be patted and they want attention! Don't be afraid of the dog, because the dog will sense it and be more wary of you! When the dog trusts you, you may even walk the dog.
Tips
1. Pay attention to the dog's body language. If he seems aggressive, move away.
2. Be nice to the dog. Move slowly at all times and speak in a soft, calm voice.
3. Avoid making sudden movements, and watch for signs of aggression.
4. Always ask the owner if it's OK before giving any dog a treat. Some dogs have a sensitivity to certain foods such as gluten, which can be found in less expensive treats.
5. Dogs should never bite you, even if they are just playing. This is a training issue and should never be tolerated. If any of the dog's teeth come into contact with you, move slowly away from the dog.
6. The best way to have the dog gain trust in you is to feed the dog.
7. Ask the owner where to pet the dog in case the dog doesn't like to be touched in a certain area.
Warnings
Watch out if the dog looks like it's going to bite you! Walk calmly and slowly away.
Never pet the dog if he/she is eating or chewing on anything. Some dogs are protective of their bones or toys and may attack in order to prevent you from taking their stuff.
Clip: How to pet a dog
Source:wikihow.com
