I expected trouble as I approached my friend’s home in Northern New England. She owns fourteen sled dogs. They live in a rural area.
The dogs went berserk as I approached. Greeting me were barks, growls, and threatening postures. Each dog was chained—thank goodness—to their own little shelter.
My friend introduced me to each dog. Her presence eased their rage but not their wariness.
I slowly extended my hand to a dog named Crash. Doing so was risky. The animal could bite my fingers. Instead he sniffed.
With a light touch, I brushed Crash’s mane. The contact was brief. He backed away. Then he came back for another round of sniffing and touching.
Shortly thereafter, Crash and I became friends.
I don’t think it was my scent that alleviated Crash’s wariness. What chilled him out was the presentation of my hand. It was a social gesture that made him curious. And this curiosity diverted his rage.
People are like dogs in that respect. They're wary of strangers. But when a stranger initiates a conversation, the other person can read into the stranger’s personality. If the conversation goes well, suspicions ease. All it requires is one person breaking the ice.
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