What do you say to people... - Page 1

SO I was out today socializing my boy @ the pumpkin patch. And he loved it, he even tolerated the hayride. He laid there and had kids petting him. He did great today. He didnt bark at people or at any of the farm animals. But I had issues with people not  bothering to ask if they could pet Sarge. Maybe im being picky. But I like to put him in the sit position before people pet him.  Dont get me wrong, the whole reason we were out there is so he could be around people and children.. but i dont think someone should just got up and start handeling a dog without asking the owners permission.   Any suggestions on how to handle situations like this??

Thanks in advance

hi wdozier,

i don't mind people petting my dog at all but if you mind,teach him to shake hands then when people try to pet him tell them to shake his hands cuz that's the way u want to teach him to be friends with someone,in a polite way and add a little smile..hope they stop pissing you off :)

I always address the children first if there are any. "Hold on sweetie, you should always ask before you pet". Tends embarass the parents in a subtle way for not having the brains to educate their kids.  On an older pup or adult with some training, when I see someone about to pet without asking, I step back and call the dog to heel, it's a pretty clear "hands off" signal. I do the same when someone is about to let their dog up my dogs' behind.

Honestly, I have no qualms at all about being pretty damn frigid to an adult who thinks they have a  right to just walk up and touch my adult dogs. Probably the same idiots who would try to sue when they do get bit one day. Welcome to the joys of conditioning your dog to handle the masses. ;)

Or you could put a harness on him with patches thay say

"In Training
Ask before petting"

If you can find that specific patch, check with your local craft store, they will know people that do embrodiery that could make you a couple.

KCzaja said it right.. I say the same thing and the look on some of the parents faces....that blank look. scary how dumb some people are.

How about the ones who let their dogs come right up to you. That is a huge peeve of mine.

You just can't fix stupid!

People don't ask most of the time, especially children.

If your going to put your dog in that situation you better be sure of your dog first of all.

And yes people are stupid.    

That's a tough one because people seem to do what they want to and don't really care what you want.  Some recent experiences I've had.

BAD

Waiting in the shade along the side of a furniture store.  This guy drove up dumpster diving in the back of the store, gets into his pickup, acts like he's driving away, then sees me and my two GSD's, stops, backs up, parks, then gets out and starts making smooching noises and crouches down which of course sets my boys off.  As they're barking at him, he asks if he can pet them.  O, I don't know, I don't think they really like you, but he keeps creeping towards us so I finally have to say, they'll probably bite you if you come closer, to which he finally gets the message, says sorry, then gets back in the truck and drives away.  I love it when my dogs are calmly lying down somewhere and someone invariably comes over (usually a scuzzy-looking guy in an equally scuzzy-looking pickup) basically just to agitate them, then leaves.

GOOD

One of the better situations I had recently was when I was walking two of my shepherds, I see this guy from AT&T parked in a parking lot we'll be walking by, I know he sees us and when we start getting closer, he opens the door and gets out of the truck.  I'm thinking, O great, another nut that's going to agitate my dogs.  Instead, he starts talking to me at a distance, saying he sees my family and I all the time walking our dogs.  I stop, my dogs are fine with him, then he talks to me about the GSD puppy he just got.  He doesn't try to pet the dogs, he doesn't make a lot of eye contact with him, just really relaxed.  My dogs really responded to that and were totally calm the whole time.  He asked questions about them, commented on how nice looking they were (which my dogs already know) :) and then after about 5 minutes, I continued on with our walk.  I wish more people would be that way instead of getting in your face and immediately wanting to lay hands on your dog. 

I SO totally agree with KCzaja.  I know that some people in my community are just hoping my dogs will bite them.  I've had people try to literally walk or bike right through my dog(s) when we're on the sidewalk, deliberately see us, then stand in the middle of the sidewalk just so they can hopefully agitate the dogs as we pass by.  It can be very difficult to teach your dog manners when people (and sometimes their dogs) are forced upon you.  It's like having a stranger come running up and hug you or grab you.  You don't always like everyone you meet and dogs are the same way.  I always like to have the opportunity to see how my dog will react before exposing them to people or dogs that may have a bad vibe or energy to them.  You don't want to be rude, but sometimes that's the only way people get it. 

If you make every effort to get people to ask you permisison to pet your dog, you may be doing them a much bigger favor than you can ever imagine -- the NEXT dog might not be as sweet as Sarge.  I have gone through this with dogs AND horses.

I generally don't like just any John Q. public touching my dogs, for all I know they could have a sick dog at home.  I rarely get asked by adults if they can pet my dogs.

now kids are a different story,  most will see a dog and run right up to it, some even screeching all the way.  fortunatly for me, my dogs turn to butter around kids, but I always try to tell them after the fact they need to ask, cause the next person's puppy may not be as nice as mine. 

I suppose I'd rather have them pet mine without asking the question, than pick their kids up when they see us coming... now that really p***** me off!

Mine like kids (one's a big licker tho') but they seldom show any interest in adults atall.