‘Dogspotting’ Is A Group Where People Share Their Pure and Hilarious Encounters with Random Dogs (New 45 Pics)

“Firstly, you should always ask the owner’s permission before approaching a dog and avoid the snacks—dogs really don’t need human food, despite what those eyes seem to tell us!" PDSA Vet Claire told Bored Panda how people should behave when they spot an adorable strange dog that they would simply love to pet and feed.

"Next, look at the dog’s body language, if they have a high, wagging tail, floppy ears and look relaxed then you can start to approach them. Try not to look straight into their eyes, as this can seem aggressive to a dog, and let them come to you for a sniff before touching them," she said.

"If they have a low or tucked under tail, their ears are pinned back or their posture is tense then it is likely they are feeling uncomfortable and should not be approached. It is best to avoid rubbing the tummy of a dog you don’t know, as sometimes dogs showing their belly can be a sign that they are feeling anxious.”

"It is best to start gradually introducing your dog to strangers when they are a puppy. Between 4 and 12 weeks of age is the ‘socialization period’ where your puppy’s brain is learning lots of new things, including how to cope with unfamiliar people," she explained.

"If your dog is frightened of strangers you can try and desensitize them, starting with introducing new people at a distance where your dog feels safe and associate this with something great, like a favorite treat. This can be a very gradual process, and it’s important to always allow your dog the choice to move away from a situation that makes them uncomfortable."

The vet continued: "We recommend always asking a certified pet behaviorist for advice with this as it is easy to accidentally make fear of strangers worse. It’s important to slowly introduce any dog to any new people, animals, places, and experiences in a positive way to help keep them happy and confident."

Bored Panda has featured Dogspotting and its broad chain of groups, pages, and challenges very extensively over the years. For example, some of our articles that we know you’ll love if you’re a dog person are about the ‘Guilty Dog’ challenge, the ‘Didn’t Want A Dog’ challenge, and the ‘Hidden Dog’ challenge. They’re something to keep in mind when you’ve enjoyed every last pupper and doggo in this here list.

Currently, the Dogspotting group has 1.8 million members on Facebook that it’s amassed since 2008. That’s on top of the 1.2 million fans who are part of the Dogspotting Society group. The main difference between the two groups is that you’re supposed to post pics of dogs you don’t know in the Dogspotting group. Meanwhile, you’re free to gush all about your own dog in the Dogspotting Society group.

The super friendly Dogspotting team told Bored Panda during a couple of previous interviews that their community members are always really proactive. A lot of them come up with the challenges that then end up going viral and bringing a smile to so many people’s faces globally.