Won't Shake Your Hand?Dear Ms. LaPooch,My guess is that y...

Won't Shake Your Hand?


Dear Ms. LaPooch,

My guess is that you always extend your paw, any time anyone asks you to shake. Am I right?

The problem is that, occasionally, when I go to extend my hand, the person I am facing withholds his. This gets awkward and doggoned embarrassing. Is there any reason, other than bad manners, for a person to refuse to shake another person's hand?

-  Gladhand Wannabe


Dear GW,

You are correct about my extending a paw upon request. I always proffer a paw, generally in hopes that a tasty treat will reward my congeniality - UNLESS I am already in the midst of woofing a treat down. Request first; reward second is what I say.

Now with humans I understand that treats are not usually part of the exchange. I have observed refusals to shake paws, such as you describe. I suppose the refuser might have a hurt paw, or she might have been out digging in the yard for bones or whatever people dig in yards for. In either case, I should think the refusal would be accompanied by some sort of explanation, preferably given with a pleasant smile.

If there has been recent rancor between the two people involved, perhaps snarling or biting, one person may want to make up before the other is ready. I suppose the person on the making up side might consider the one not ready to make up rude, but I think that rapprochements need to be offered at just the right time. It may require another attempt later, or maybe a few words, such as: "I know you are probably still sore (about the recent bites, etc.), but I am sorry (to have bitten you, etc.), and I was hoping we could shake and let bygones be bygones. You get to be the alpha dog in this exchange, but please try to give me a break here." If that doesn't work this time, it might work the next time, especially if you have a treat in your other hand.

Does that help you?

Love and Licks,







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