k9handler2000

k9handler2000 t1_j1zzld1 wrote

I was just at a friends house where they recently adopted a beautiful female pitty. She would never hurt a fly but she’ll piss herself the second she detects the slightest threat.

Anyways I came in with a puffy coat on and she really did not trust me. She would do those tippy taps where she came closer and stretched her neck to sniff me and then skittered away. I knew she could be friendly by her wildly wagging tail so I was looking for a way to gain her trust.

Then I noticed she would sneeze each time she approached me, and I’d heard that’s how dogs say “I’m joking”. So the next time she sneezed I shook my head lightly and did a sort of snort, too. She froze, head cocked, ears up, eyes wide, and I wasn’t sure if I fucked up. The next second she was rocketing around the house with the craziest zoomies and returning to me to lick and play and cuddle.

If the dog is showing signs of wanting to come towards you a light sneeze or two can really help make them comfortable. Don’t try it with an outwardly aggressive or very nervous dog though.

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