Raised dogs since middle school (20+ years) by getting up before entire family just to let my dog as a child or dogs as an adult out when first thing in the morning. Love bringing dogs with me anywhere I can (softball fields, brewery, nature trails behing our house, and more). Many dogs can be skiddish towards men and have a good way of not getting to close and sitting down. Let's them get interested to approach and smell me which allows me to eventually pet and get their guard down.