Asking to pet someone's dog in English
What to say when you see a cute dog and want to ask to pet it.
Full script
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Ask to pet the dog
pet as a verb = touch a pet; not "touch your dog" (sounds odd)
Ask the dog's name
For dogs, use he / she, not it; owners like that more
Ask the breed
breed = type of dog; mixed breed = not one breed
Praise a well-behaved dog
good boy / good girl = praise for a pet; spoiled = gets everything it wants
Quick answers
Ask the owner first: what to say in English
Say “Can I pet your dog?” — ask to pet the dog. pet as a verb = touch a pet; not "touch your dog" (sounds odd).
A natural opener: what to say in English
Say “What's his name?” — ask the dog's name. For dogs, use he / she, not it; owners like that more.
Keep chatting: what to say in English
Say “What breed is he?” — ask the breed. breed = type of dog; mixed breed = not one breed.
Owners love this: what to say in English
Say “He's such a good boy!” — praise a well-behaved dog. good boy / good girl = praise for a pet; spoiled = gets everything it wants.