# Do Dogs Generally Like You? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 2, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784 "2017-10-02T01:40:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/1 "2017-10-02T01:40:35Z")
Just curious. Dogs generally like me. I think they may pick up on my fondness for them even when I don’t overtly show it. But a dog will often single me out in a crowd for some attention. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/2 "2017-10-02T01:44:28Z")
Yup! And cats, if that matters. Geese, however, do not. ---
**Author:** ![BobBitchin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@BobBitchin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobBitchin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/3 "2017-10-02T01:47:43Z")
Yes, most dogs dig me.🆒😃 ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/4 "2017-10-02T02:00:53Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Yup! And cats, if that matters. Geese, however, do not. Well, geese are generally just jerks. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/5 "2017-10-02T02:14:49Z")
Dogs and cats like me as well. I consider myself lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/6 "2017-10-02T02:18:29Z")
Dogs like me; cats love me. And I’m okay with that. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/7 "2017-10-02T02:33:50Z")
I remember being taught (from a children’s show) as a kid, when meeting a new dog, stick your hand out lower than their head and let them smell you before petting them. That bit of advice has worked really well for me. Also, I’d venture to say, if you already have the smell of your own critters on you when meeting new critters; you’re working with an advantage. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/8 "2017-10-02T03:17:17Z")
I have know people who dogs hate, though. And I knew a lady who was primordially afraid of dogs. I mean pee your pants scared. But, dogs always came up to her. It was weird. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/9 "2017-10-02T03:34:44Z")
Dogs like me. Cats love me. Dogs usually will go up to anyone who seems willing to pet them. Some cats are 1 PERSON ONLY, DAMMIT! until I come along. I can make friends with the meanest cat in the world. Usually other non-human types come up to me more often than is typical, but I mean like cows and horses. Maybe I look like I have food. Wild animals don’t come to me, but feral animals do-- stray, homeless dogs that are genetically programmed to trust people, but have never been around people trust me. I don’t know why. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/10 "2017-10-02T03:52:51Z")
Generally, yes. But there are dogs who yap at me uncontrollably, even though they seem to like everybody else. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/11 "2017-10-02T03:59:58Z")
Dogs were designed to like us. And thank goodness! Dog photos: [bob smith | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/155285423@N02/) ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/12 "2017-10-02T04:09:50Z")
Dogs like me, and I don’t know why. I am not particularly a dog person… ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/13 "2017-10-02T04:19:13Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I remember being taught (from a children’s show) as a kid, when meeting a new dog, stick your hand out lower than their head and let them smell you before petting them. I also learned the hand should be in a fist, because usually people slap dogs with an open hand, so fists seem less threatening. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/14 "2017-10-02T04:22:57Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Generally, yes. But there are dogs who yap at me uncontrollably, even though they seem to like everybody else. I get this too…usually from smallish aggressive young dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/15 "2017-10-02T04:45:25Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Dogs were designed to like us. And thank goodness! > > Dog photos: [bob smith | Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/155285423@N02/) Ted!!! > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I also learned the hand should be in a fist, because usually people slap dogs with an open hand, so fists seem less threatening. Unfortunately not always true. Mean people suck. ☹ [Another dog picture](https://flic.kr/p/YGJkoc). My puppy being viciously mauled by our Chi-hoo-hoo. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/16 "2017-10-02T04:47:27Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Unfortunately not always true. Mean people suck. ☹ Right, but I mean in general. I’ve found the fist presentation to be generally positive for dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/17 "2017-10-02T05:18:27Z")
> [@Sunny\_Daze](#): > > Ted!!! I’ve told Ted about you (while scritching), and he awaits your visit in your new trailer. There is a fantastic spot right on the river all set up for you. Yes, there is a river in the middle of the bum-fuck high desert. It’s a hidden gem… But his sister is prettier… ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/18 "2017-10-02T06:13:16Z")
Dogs generally like me, especially when I adopt a new one. They seem to bond with me pretty swiftly. When I adopted my current dog, within an hour after bringing her into the house, she was lying on the floor next to my couch, and I was dangling my hand down to pet her. She immediately rolled over almost onto her back with her paws waving in the air. She definitely wanted to collect her share of belly scratches. And when I pet her, she’ll lean against me and rub her head against me, almost like a cat. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/19 "2017-10-02T06:39:44Z")
Dogs love me, almost as much as mosquitoes do. Cats, love me too, but they dislike the sneezing even more than I do. Even fish have come to me, including really skittish ones that hide from their owners. But that’s mostly a matter of moving slowly and not wearing any scented lotions. I am terrified of wild fowl. They sense this,and enjoy the heck out of torturing me. To the outside eye though, it might appear that they like me or want to play. They know, and I know, that they are really just trying to eat my eyeballs. :shiver: ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2017, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784/20 "2017-10-02T06:50:09Z")
Dogs are sometimes initially afraid of me because I’m a big guy (or the Omen?), but I can always turn the situation around quickly and becone BFFs. I counted that as “yes” for the poll. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-dogs-generally-like-you/797784.md?page=2)