Don't Pet My Puppy...confused? - Page 5

Momo,
I think many of us said that the dog should be well socialized.  I know that I stated a well socialized, confident dog, exposed to all kinds of people and places will make a better, sport dog, companion dog, pet, and working dog.  I absolutely socialize my dogs, but I do it safely and correctly.  I do not allow strangers to run up and grab my dogs, pet my dogs or feed my dogs.  My dogs are under control at all times and it is just as easy to tell someone "No, I prefer that you didn't pet my dog right now" as it is to say "yes, sure you can pet my dog."  I decide based on the actions and demeanor of the stranger and my dog. 

Jim

In my experience people don't ask.  Also, if its someone in authority over you, it may not be in your interest to make recomendations.  Hence my point "You never know whom that might be or what power they have over your life.  Best to let the dogs get to know these types of people BEFORE they get in the way, because you never know when and how your life will be changed"

However, I don't want to get into the specifics of what I mean by "authority over you".  I know why I have that perspective and I hope others won't have to experience what I have.  But I will say it again, in todays common sense-LESS enviroment within the USA the "Don't Pet My Puppy rule" is only acceptable for working dogs where the owner derives monetary compensation and legal recognition from handling a dog raised by the "Don't Pet My Puppy rule".  My point is, if thats not you, don't bother with the "rule" because you are setting yourself up for a legal liability of some kind.  If you don't have any idea of what the possiblities are, check out the stupid "rubber hand test" that folks like Victoria Wells swear by.  All it takes is for one of her kind from animal control to come by your house based on a complaint.  Will your dog survive the "evaluation" that someone like her makes with "rubber hands" etc?  I know mine will.

Also, I am not talking about general socialization.  I think today so few people are familiar with dogs, that those of us who do own them need to be on the defensive.  But, defensive to me means having a dog that will take an unwanted clumsy hug from an idiot, as long as I am not reacting negatively to that person.  It obvisouly does not mean the same thing to you. 

been looking for this answer but does not letting strangers pet and play with your dog make it more aloof?

Momo,
First off the owner is in charge of their dog and has the responsibility to the dog and stranger, the owner should agree to the dog being petted or not.  I have plenty of people in "authority" over me and they will ask before petting my dog.  Perhaps, I am not understanding your post.  For those of us that own dogs we need to be responsible owners.  We need to keep our dogs in fenced yards when not supervised, not out in an unfenced yard that another dog or stranger can enter.  We need to have control over our dogs and our surroundings.  We need to protect our dogs from well meaning strangers and others who want to pet our dogs.  Whether or not someone pets your dog is entirely up to you as the owner.  If you feel that the dog is uneasy with someone or it is a rambunctious child that may pull on your dog's ears you simply say "NO."  If you have to leave.  If your dog is not accepting of strangers or is sharp then you need to be extra careful.


But, defensive to me means having a dog that will take an unwanted clumsy hug from an idiot, as long as I am not reacting negatively to that person. It obvisouly does not mean the same thing to you.  


I agree that in today's litigious society we need to be very careful in most things we do, especially with our dogs.  I am not going to let any clumsy idiots hug my dogs.  My female would love it, my male not so much.  It might be a self correcting mistake if done to my male.  I am confused by the "authority over you" comment.  If it is your dog, even for a landlord they do not have to pet your dog to see it is has a sound temperament and is not aggressive.  Not every dog likes to be petted by strangers. 

Destiny,

Have friends, neighbors, relatives and their children play with your puppy.  Choose people you trust and let them help socialize your dog.  It doesn't have to be strangers.  If you have enough people socialize your dog it will be well adjusted, it still may be aloof, but confident and well adjusted. 


Jim


  




 

d Jim how is your patrol dog with vets? is he ok with them? My dog seems to trust vets much better than a stranger on a street? I thought it was because vets and vet techs must know what they are doing better and probably because i let them give my dog treats and i wont let a stranger ever give my dog a treat. Plus they seem to know how to act much better and non dominating around my dog while a stranger wont know.  SHes good with both but she adores the vet and shes good with strangers but keeps one eye on them.

Well Slamdunc, I'll give you a simple legalese answer.  In some states and localities landlords only have to give notice of entry, no later than 2 days, AFTER they have already entered the occupied rental property.  What if an animal control officer wants to touch your animal without your permission, go ahead test out the results when you try and stop them?  Use your imagination to determine the likely result of such circumstances with a dog trained exclusively with the "Don't Pet My Puppy rule". 

I don't feel like giving a hundred examples, but I got plenty more of the same to add.  The only thing that can defend you from the above and similar is MONEY and the lawyer that takes the money from you.  If you didn't get what I meant by "authority over you", then we will just have to disagree.  I tried to be clear without being verbose.

Destiny,
My dog is so so with the vet.  He doesn't like being handled, stood over or poked and prodded by strangers.  He listens and will stand to be examined, he will tolerate the vet touching his paws only because he is told too.  The vet has me handle him and I am present during all procedures, even surgery if needed.  The vet techs do not touch the dog, I do basically everything they would to assist the vet.  The dog is muzzled at the vet, the vet really appreciates that.  Even in a muzzle the dog can still do some serious damage.  I'm fortunate that our vet is good with all of our dogs and understands their temperament.  He actually likes my dog and has a couple of good stories from him.

Jim

Momo,
Where is the "don't pet my puppy rule?"  Who said that?  I guess I am dense and need the long version.  I have never had animal control try to pet my dog, if they wanted to I'd say he is going to bite you.  As long as my dog is contained in my yard and under my control the dog can be aggressive.  He just can not bite people when he feels like it or be loose in my front yard or allowed to roam the streets.  There are plenty of dogs that will bite if you enter their yard or home, I would think AC would know this.  Please go back and read my posts regarding socializing dogs, then we can decide to disagree. 

Jim

one more question slam are most police patrol dogs like yours or are most ok to be pet by a stranger as long as the strangeris respectful ?



By respectful i mean a lot of german shepherds or at least mine if someone trys to rough handle them or is rude to them when u first meet them will make them turn on sometimes.

Destiny, we have some very friendly sociable dogs and some that aren't. Then we have several Malinois and they can go either way, depending on the dogs mood and lunar phase. As a rule, we do not let any citizens pet our K-9's even the super friendly ones. We do a lot of demos and for liability reasons we do not allow people to pet our dogs. It is easier to have a firm policy and to stick with that.