Calling all dog owners

[Antonia]

I've been invited to my neighbours for NYE. They have two large dogs who ( to me at least ) seem quite well behaved. However my neighbour happened to mention in passing yesterday that one of the dogs had recently bitten his mother.
I'm a cat person, dogs naturally make me nervous. I'm assuming that they won't be allowed in the house but that still means that I have to cross the courtyard which is normally their safe space.
What should I do, or more importantly what shouldn't I do? My instinct would be to keep my hands in my pockets but I'm going to be carrying gifts. Do I avoid eye contact? Move slowly or purposefully? Should I try talking to them?
Please help, I'm frankly terrified.

[Polarengineer]

Toss them a piece of steak and walk on by.

[niemeyjt]

Our postie used to have a pocket full of dog biscuits. Most dogs greeted him every day in anticipation of a treat - not to attack.

[Lori]

I'd say move normally. If you encounter them, I'd smile normally and speak to them happily - Coucou toi - in your happy tone. Moving along as you do so. Having a couple of treats seems like a good idea too, but if you are carrying gifts, that may be difficult, unless they are all contained in a shopping bag and you have one hand to fetch the treats out of a coat pocket. I'd only give the treats if they are actually near to you. And you never really know... some dogs don't really like store bought treats. Mine didn't.

To be honest, I'd ask the neighbors in advance, if they could greet you upon arrival, just in case the dogs are protective of your entrance to their property.

[Blaze]

Dogs don't normally bite people unless provoked in some way - your neighbour's mother might have annoyed or upset the dog. For example, it can be risky grabbing a dog by the scruff of the neck - dogs can whip round as if to bite, even if most (but not all) stop short (they don't like being grabbed). Some dogs don't like being disturbed if they're lying down. If you go to stroke a dog and it turns its head away, it's a clear message "Leave me alone please".
Dogs can tell if someone is nervous so your best bet is to just ignore them when you cross the courtyard. You can sing if you feel like it, or just talk out loud to yourself !! Avoid looking at them and don't rush but walk purposefully. Don't be tempted to give them any sort of treat, particularly if you don't know them.
And don't wear a hat !!

Try to relax, but if you're really worried, it would be best to tell your neighbours you're nervous of dogs. We wouldn't be in the slightest bit offended if someone said that to us - we'd far rather know.

[Antonia]

Thanks all, the neighbours know I'm nervous and that I've never been around dogs. I suspect when I arrive I'll be escorted across the courtyard but, if not, I'll try and ignore them. Certainly I won't be extending a hand in any direction.

[Blaze]

Hope all goes well, Antonia ....
I've just made a couple of amendments to my post .... some of it was gibberish

[Polly]

Good luck for tomorrow, Antonia!

[Antonia]

Well I was worrying unnecessary. The courtyard gates were open when I arrived with the dogs sequestered in one of the far garages. It was only after the meal that they were allowed back into the house where they behaved impeccably. They were naturally curious about the stranger in their midst and I remained seated at the dining table while they'd checked me out. Later we all managed to walk out of the courtyard together so the dogs could make a quick call of nature.
Don't think I'll be volunteering to walk them anytime soon but I'm really happy with how our first meeting went and how understanding my neighbours were.
Thank you all once again for your words of support, without then I probably wouldn't have had the courage to go.

[demi]

Why should you not wear a hat, Blaze?? That one is puzzling me!