STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

yeah, I do think that's kind of weird.  but some dogs don't care for strangers.  my dogs love anybody to pet them and I am happy for them when they get the attention for being so cute and friendly.  My dogs ask for the attention by running up to people.  If they were shy or timid dogs,  it would be awkward if a stranger moved forward to pet them.  I wouldn't really compare strangers touching my dogs to holding my baby, usually children are naturally a little wary of strangers and aren't jumping up on them asking for attention like many dogs are....but I guess there's always those odd ones!  :)

What I don't like is when people pet my dogs after they have jumped up on them.  I try so hard to teach my dogs to sit and wait to be petted, they never ever jump up on me.  But when they see a stranger, they don't behave and they jump up.  When they get petted, it only encourages these bad manners, so I don't like having to ask people to stop petting them and ask them to please sit first.

once, at Petco, a guy had a puppy lab on a leash that obviously wanted to jump on me.  So I asked the dog to sit, then I petted him and said "good dog!"  The owner thanked me for asking him to sit first!  We laughed and he said that I must be a dog owner as well.  Anyway, I would never pet a dog who either didn't come up to me first or was with an owner who appeared to look like he didn't want his dog socializing with people. 

-- Edited by lorelei at 13:50, 2005-09-07

laken1 wrote:

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I'm not a dog owner but i think this is hysterical. I am glad when my cats hiss at other people who come over. Sorry but it's true. I like them to love only me but I'm selfish... LOL - cats are different though & they hide like their lives depend on it when people come over, so it's really not an issue. -- Edited by laken1 at 13:51, 2005-09-07

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That's funny!  I only recently realized that my cat hissed at people.  My mom came over, (she's a big cat lover, I grew up with lots of rescued cats who loved humans), and she went to scoop up my cat and got hissed and growled at!  I was completely shocked that my sweet kitty was so rude.  I actually wish my cat was friendly, that way my friends who supposedly don't like cats could see how sweet they can be.

I don't think it is weird at all.  I don't mind if people ask to pet my dog.  However,  I absolutely hate it when people try to pet my dog without asking me.  And, if someone moves in for the pet I will actually block them before they can reach my dog. 

My dog hates being pet by people he doesn't know.  He was a shelter dog who was very badly neglected by his previous owner.  We have done tons of training and socializing with him and he has gotten so much better, but he still doesn't enjoy being pet by strangers.  After my experience with my dog, I just try to be aware that all dogs are different.  I don't think people should assume that it is okay to pet a dog. 

The thing your friend said about aggressiveness is BS.  It sounds like Ness gets plenty of socialization from friends, neighbors, etc.

 

Personally I love when people are attracted enough to my dog that they want to pet/play with him, and he happens to love the attention...so it works for both of us. If the situation were different I might feel differently. That being said, I ALWAYS ask pet owners if I can pet their dogs before I do, I think it is just the right thing to do.

 

I don't think it's weird...if your dog does (God forbid) bite somebody for whatever reason, it becomes your liability. This happened with my mom's dog (totally sweet, non-aggressive)...a kid grabbed him where he'd just had surgery (er...neuter surgery) and he nipped the kid. The kid's mom wanted my mom to put her dog to sleep. Luckily my mom talked her into just paying for the doctor bills (even though it didn't even break the skin).

The point is, even though it was the kid's fault (and the mom's, since she let her kid "pet the dog"), my mom would bear the blame. So I think it's smart. 

I don't think that's wierd at all, I actually feel the same way.  I think it's really rude when people just come up and pet my dog(s) without asking.  It is one of my pet peeves actually!  It's nice to know I'm not alone.

I think your friend totaly over reacted. If your dog isn't into the attention let her be. As a huge dog lover I am okay with any who wants to pet my dog.  And I would pet every dog I ever saw (asking first of course) if I could.   My dog is a total flirt and makes eye contact with strangers and talks to them so they will stop and pet her. I have a pit bull so most people are great about asking to pet her, if they will have anything to do with her at all.  Especially if your dog isn't bouncing off of walls for pets from strangers I think you are totally fine. I do not think it is ever okay to pet a dog unless you ask first...ecception being, the dogs head is in your croch (labs... you know)   I think your decision for what is best for your dog is best. You know her and what she (or he) needs.