[TxRider]

I'll hold my hand out, but I don't reach down and touch the dog, I reach down and let the dog approach and sniff my hand. And take it from there. And being 6'4" I often will squat enough distance away, just out my arms reach from them, at an angle not directly facing them, so they don't have to walk under me bending way over them and let them approach.

I also approach my own dogs and do all the stuff people do when approaching dogs a lot. That way they are well used to having their faces held, pats on the head, faces close, etc.

It works ok, Kaya doesn't trust strangers and is very cautious, and she is not a facey facey dog and doesn't give kisses not even to me. She doesn't like face close to hers but she tolerates it fine now. And any kind of petting. Moving too fast will key her off and make her anxious, but people rarely do that.

Hope is friendly to everyone, will give anyone a big wet kiss and can be approached any way and petted anyway you want. She loves getting attention and fears nobody.

BUT, if you approach her acting obviously scared, using a lot of physical body language showing fear, like reaching out and snapping your hand back, shifting your weight back like your going to jump back from her, she will lock eyes on yours, back off a step or two, and become aloof and even start barking at you.