There is this existing cultural knowledge that is universal to all humans. This knowledge tells us that we must approach strange dogs with a high-pitched baby-voice greeting. It can go like this, “Hiiiii!” (voice intonating a sliding ascending/descending curved melodic unit), followed by a question in a likewise high-pitched glissando voice, “Who is a good booy?”
More excitable dogs, upon hearing this greeting, explode into a lightning bolt of emotions. They want to get to the author of that voice and to give them a proper greeting – jump on them, French-kiss them, knock them down maybe. Whatever that dog feels like.
Sometimes the “Hiiiii babyyyy!” hits dog owners unexpectedly; however, they still have to “comply” with the social norm and to get their dog to greet the person who was baby-voicing them. After all, it would be extremely rude to not let that happen, wouldn’t it? Hence, an owner feels like they have no choice. They let their dog to pull them towards a stranger, and the dogs learn that exciting voice from strange people means that they are allowed to behave obnoxiously.
Owners of human-aggressive or aloof dogs are experiencing even more stress. Their dogs do not like being touched, and they have learned that high-pitched “Hiiiii” is a bad thing. Such dogs can burst into a barking frenzy, or they can snap, and the owner is sure to hear many unpleasant things about themselves and their evil animal.
One truly understands what I am talking about only when they have an excitable dog and in one way or another have suffered through forced affection that strangers on a street keep pouring on their dogs. Undoubtedly, there are dog owners who enjoy it, but I guarantee that the absolute majority dreads the baby voice.
They dread it simply because they have learned that this voice signifies a great deal of stress for them. They will need to apologize for their unruly dog. They will need to feel awkward and ashamed for their dog. They will have to engage in an unwelcome conversation.
Of course, it is virtually impossible to change the whole culture of pet ownership. It is, however, possible, to train the dog to ignore the dreaded “Hiii babyyy.” In reality, solid training is the only thing that will save an embarrassment of having to apologize for a terrible behaviour.