Animals read both odors, and Body language. If you get around animals and are tense, they will sense it and shy away from you.
The "secret" of changing how animals react to you is to slow down to a STOP, relax, calm down, and let them approach you first. Don't talk to them- they don't know you. Don't wave your arms around- you are the boogey man in the night the fear. Don't run or make fast motions: you are a stranger to them, and they are genetically trained to run from strange or different animals, or people. Don't fear them; they can smell it on you. If you are afraid of animals- any kind-- stay away from them unless accompanied by an experienced animal handler who can help the animals understand your behavior.
Do not reach out to pet or touch another person's animals, until that animal has sniffed you, and decided that you are okay. Wait for them to make the first move.
The fact that an animal growls or nips at you, or runs away or shies away from your touch is NOT PERSONAL. The animal is simply relying on his instincts for self preservation until he learns who you are by your smell, then how you move, then your voice, and finally, what you appear to be.
Unlike Humans, few animals rely FIRST on their sense of sight. I know of no other members of the Mammal family that do. Raptors do so, but they rely on their sight to find food, too.
I have been called the " pied Piper of Cats and Dogs, by relatives and friends because I get along with just about all pets and animals. I know how to make them comfortable when they are around me.
I tested this just last Wednesday, when a neighbor walked by with her little dog, who was jumping up around and running from her, because of some local kids trying to pet the dog. I let her sniff me, and run away from me, and then I ignored it, talking to its owner.
It took a few minutes after the kids left, and for us to settle into our conversation for the dog to finally gear down, and finally sit down and wait for its owner to continue the "walk". The dog paid me no further attention. That is what I wanted it to do around its owner. But, in calming down, the dog indicated it was no longer afraid of me, or of being around me. I had been "accepted".
Ranch hands need to learn these skills to be successful. See Pat Parelli's website to learn how to deal with horses. He's the master.
Paul
