Every day, millions of people pass by dogs on the street. Some avert their eyes, others smile politely at the owner, and a select few crouch down to say hello to the furry stranger. Although it might feel like an innocent and spontaneous habit, stopping to greet unfamiliar dogs may actually reveal deeper insights into your personality than you realize. According to psychologists, this split-second decision—whether or not to pet a dog you don’t know—can be strongly linked to very specific personality traits that affect your social behavior, emotional intelligence, and even your stress levels.
This seemingly simple act has become a topic of growing interest among researchers in areas of social psychology and behavioral science. The way you respond to unknown dogs speaks volumes about your comfort with social risk, empathy levels, and innate curiosity. Even more fascinating: the consistency of these behaviors across different age groups, genders, and cultural backgrounds underscores the possibility that they’re far more than habitual quirks—they may be psychological markers. Let’s dig deeper into what it means when you can’t resist a chance to pet that wagging tail.
Key insights about dog-greeters and personality
| Behavior Studied | Greeting unfamiliar dogs on the street |
| Main Personality Traits Linked | Empathy, Openness, Emotional Resilience |
| Age Group Most Likely to Engage | Millennials and Gen Z |
| Gender Differences | Women were more likely to initiate contact |
| Psychological Outcomes | Reduced perceived stress, higher mood stability |
Why some people always stop to greet dogs
For those who instinctively kneel to offer their hand to a dog they’ve never met, there’s often an inner motivation that goes beyond affection for animals. Psychologists have found that such behavior is frequently associated with high levels of empathy and openness to experience. In personality testing, individuals who regularly greet unfamiliar dogs often score higher on indicators of warmth, sociability, curiosity, and a desire for connection. Stopping to pet a dog isn’t always about liking animals; it can signal a willingness to connect with the world in intimate, low-risk ways.
“We observed certain recurring patterns among participants who reported frequent unprompted interactions with dogs they didn’t know,” said one behavioral research lead. “These moments were not random—they were consistently linked with how open and emotionally attuned a person was.”
The science behind social risk and comfort levels
Greeting a strange dog is not without risk: the dog could be unfriendly, or the owner might not welcome the interaction. Nevertheless, the individuals who engage in these behaviors tend to evaluate social risks differently than others. They’re more comfortable with ambiguity and less affected by fear of rejection or embarrassment. This directly ties into traits like emotional resilience and adaptive confidence.
In one survey involving over 1,200 adults across various urban settings, participants were asked to keep a behavior journal for a week. Those who routinely greeted dogs also reported being the first to say hello in social settings, more inclined to help a stranger in public, and more likely to describe themselves as “emotionally grounded.”
Greeting dogs on the street can be viewed as a kind of micro-bravery. It reveals a confidence in emotional space and an openness to spontaneous joy.
— Dr. Karen Ellis, Social Psychologist
Demographic patterns among dog-friendly personalities
Interestingly, the tendency to approach unfamiliar dogs isn’t evenly distributed across age groups or genders. According to aggregated data, women were 65% more likely than men to greet unfamiliar dogs during solo outings. Age also played a factor—millennials and Gen Z reported higher rates of this behavior compared to Gen X or Boomers. Experts believe that this generational difference may reflect evolving views on emotional expressiveness and boundaries in public space.
Dr. Ellis notes, “Younger people are more likely to cross emotional boundaries in urban settings. For them, a dog is not just a pet; it’s an opportunity for connection, a small pulse of emotional warmth in otherwise disconnected social environments.”
How pets function as social bridges
If you’ve ever felt an urge to talk to a stranger’s dog rather than the stranger, you’re not alone—and there’s science behind that too. Dogs often serve as social conduits, easing tensions and opening doors for interaction. Those drawn to these connections are not just extroverted; they’re often people who understand non-verbal communication deeply and interpret cues intuitively.
This sensitivity to body language and emotional mood allows these individuals to recognize receptive dogs, easing trust and engagement. In fact, animal behaviorists suggest that humans who engage with unfamiliar dogs are often better at reading social cues both in animals and in people.
Emotional benefits of random canine connections
Regular dog-greeters often report experiencing small but meaningful lifts in mood, especially during difficult days. Psychologists highlight this behavior as a self-soothing tool—an interaction that provides instant emotional returns. By focusing briefly on a non-judgmental, loving presence, individuals often walk away from such encounters feeling lighter, more connected, and emotionally restored.
Researchers suggest that these small moments of joy help release oxytocin, the same neurochemical that promotes bonding, reduces stress, and impacts trust. A five-minute interaction with a dog, even one that’s unfamiliar, can biologically influence a person’s stress response for the better.
A fleeting exchange with a dog on the street can provide surprisingly measurable reductions in cortisol levels and improvements in mood.
— Dr. Paolo Lerner, Cognitive Neuroscientist
Why ignoring dogs might also say something about you
On the flip side, people who consistently avoid greeting unknown dogs aren’t necessarily cold or antisocial. Instead, their cautiousness often correlates with traits like high conscientiousness, strong boundaries, or previous experiences shaping their comfort with spontaneity or animals. In short, not greeting dogs isn’t a negative, but it does reflect a different emotional prioritization.
These individuals often place greater value on personal space or are more introspective in public settings. Their reluctance might stem from cultural upbringing, past negatives with animals, or simply a different approach to how they interact with the outside world.
Who benefits and why these traits matter
| Winners | Losers |
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Frequently asked questions
Is greeting strange dogs on the street safe?
Generally yes, but always ask the owner for permission first. Not all dogs are comfortable with strangers.
What personality traits are linked with greeting dogs?
High empathy, openness to experience, emotional resilience, and social confidence.
Can short interactions with dogs really lower stress?
Yes. Brief moments of connection with animals can release oxytocin and reduce cortisol leading to reduced stress.
Are women more likely to greet unfamiliar dogs?
Yes, surveys show women are on average more likely to initiate contact with strange dogs than men.
Why are younger generations more likely to do this?
Millennials and Gen Z may be more emotionally expressive and less bound by traditional emotional boundaries.
Is not greeting dogs a sign of being unfriendly?
No. Avoiding dogs can stem from different values, boundaries, or negative past experiences and isn’t inherently negative.
What can this behavior suggest about my EQ?
If you often connect with unfamiliar dogs, it’s likely a sign of high emotional intelligence and social attunement.
Does interacting with dogs improve mental health?
Yes. Regularly connecting with dogs, even briefly, can enhance mood and deliver small mental health boosts.