Do you let just anyone pet your dog?

[Jacqueline]

I think I seriously offended a mother today when her kid ran up to the cart Taffy was in at Petco, and I turned the cart away from him. She was running after him telling him not to touch the puppy without asking first, but seemed to really be put off when I said not today.

I really don't object to most people playing with her, but don't like young kids to handle her. They are the biggest source of germs and viruses going around, and when was the last time you actually saw one wash after going potty? About the same time your pup did. I raised my own kids, and washing when not supervised was never high on their list. I've seen enough kids in public restrooms to know nothing has changed.

I can't believe how many people want to just reach out and touch Taffy without asking. I had one woman who was smoking like a chimney get offended because I pulled her back and didn't want Taffy licking her fingers. Well duh....nicotine poisoning.

How does everyone feel about all this unsolicted petting?

[bumpergirl]

For me it depends on their approach. I won't allow small kids to run up on my pups to pet them simply because it scares them. I try to explain this to them and show them the proper way to approach a dog they don't know, and what could happen if they reach out too quickly for a frightened dog. I consider it to be an opportunity to educate someone, whether a child or an adult (although you would think an adult would be able to figure this out on their own, this is not always the case).

Since I've been fostering Scooter/Haas, I try to take him with me whenever I run errands, particularly if it's to a place that draws a pet friendly crowd like PetSmart or PetCo. Something that has happened a few times that I found quite disturbing was that someone would come up to us, start petting Scooter (who was in a small pet bed in the child seat of the shopping cart) and talking to me, and as soon as they heard he was paralyzed, they would suddenly pull their hand away as if they would catch it or something. That really TICKS ME OFF! :boxing:

[Penny & Mags]

When I take Penny or Heidi out I expect that people may want to talk to them/about them and probably pet them. If things get too wild or uncomfortable for the girls (or me) I just leave. I don't worry much about germs - there aren't too many diseases passed from humans to dogs, are there? Perhaps I'm naive! I didn't take them out much as pups though - I worried about other dogs passing germs on to them before they were immunized.

On the other hand, we don't let anyone pet Mags. She's just too easily frightened. Because we don't want people petting her, we don't take her to PetSmart or to the park, etc. She rides in the car with us when we run errands - but she waits politely in the car. When I walk her on the road, I pick her up when someone approaches. I guess my body language makes it pretty clear that I don't want her bothered because few ever ask to pet her! ;) Occasionally kids will ask and I just say, "No, she's kind of crabby, but you can say hello to her if you want. Just don't get too close." That works sooooo much better than saying, "You might scare her." Believe it or not the Vet's office is where I have the most trouble. I know babysitters don't come cheap but why would you bring a toddler to a vet. appointment with you? :irked:

Taffy's your pup and of course people shouldn't touch her without asking you first. Some people are going to be offended when you say that you don't want them to pet her. Very few pet owners say no, so your answer will be unexpected and the person may feel a bit embarressed or awkward. If you're polite about it though, you've got nothing to feel badly about afterwards.

[Heide]

mind if people ASK first! Other wise they are not allowed to pet them. Natasha my eldest girl, does not too much care for small children, so I really have to be careful as she will nip.
I dont worry too much about the germs.

[Marion]

As long as they aren't very scary-looking :D I don't mind - I do like them to ask first though! One wouldn't go up to a stranger and just start 'petting' their baby/child - so I don't think it should be any different for doggies. I must admit I like it when children ask to 'pet my puppies' as we don't have kids yet (but intend/hope to) and I want my two to be comfortable with little hoomans - and so far Solo & Bacca are great, very patient and friendly. http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/rainbowf.gif I don't think there's nothing wrong with what you did though, people shouldn't be offended...

[Schatz's Mom]

As long as they ask first I don't have a problem with it. Schatz is my lover boy who wants to meet everyone. Kipper on the other hand can be quite standoffish. I usually don't let people pet him because when he senses something amiss he will nip. Doesn't happen all the time but has on occasion, so I don't take the chance with him. It's funny because at the meet ups he does fine with everyone. This has only happened at Petsmart. :chin:

[FourOrchards]

I have to say it depends on the location! Ally is a submissive pee'er and if we are outside it a go ahead. Inside is another story! Not on the carpet! :yikes:

I really want her to get over her fear of people she doesn't know so I try to let her meet new people every once in awhile.

I am like many of you though...I prefer people to ask instead of just letting their kids come running up to Ally. I think kids (and adults) need to know not to approach a dog that they don't know. You just never know for sure how the dog is going to react.

[MicheleS]

Yes, you have the right to choose who does and does not pet your puppers. A polite response like "not today, they are a bit off right now" will do. You may want to offer to hold your dog while the child waves and says hi from a few feet away.

Whenever I take Sophie out, she draws quite a crowd. I usually dont mind, because Sophie is so inviting and friendly and loooooves to make new friends (human and canine). Somtimes I have to calm small children down, though. I try to be diplomatic and act like I'm trying to train the dog, not the person. Something like "Sophie must learn that if she wants attention, she must be sitting nicely. You can pet her on the back whenever she sits" The children are usually happy they are "helping" and quite cooperative.

[fdcutee]

I usually don't mind.... but a lot depends on the approach like many others here. Surprisingly, quite a few people ask first... others don't but let them stiff first. I have had to tell some kids before that run up and try to pet them from behind not to do that and that it's not a good idea to do that with any dog. Otherwise, if I see a kid or person coming that I know wants to pet them and I don't want them to, I go in the opposite direction or I'll pick them up (my pups cling to me and most won't pet them being that close to me). I've heard some growns and comments grumbled, but they're my dogs and who gets to interact with them is my choice.

What really gets me upset though is when kids try to pick them up and their parents don't really care or they'll say oh don't, but it's laughed off kind of. Or their parent isn't even within eye shot. I've had a couple kids keep trying to pick them up even after I tell them not to.

The whole smoking thing for me is a big no no too... I can't stand it myself (makes me physically sick) so my pups definitely aren't around it.

[Doxie Duo Mom]

I don't allow anyone that I do not know to pet them. Well let me say I won't even pet them when I come home after being out until I wash my hands, nor will I feed them until I wash my hands.

[Jacqueline]

I take Taffy everywhere, and she is a well socialized girl.....and of course, her puppiness thinks that these are all her subjects, who should shower her with adoration. There were a lot of small doggies at Petco yesterday, and they all said hi to each other.

We also stopped at a craft show out on the parking lot of one of the shopping areas. I carried her because I didn't want her trampled. Quite a few people stopped to talk to her and asked to pet her. I don't have a problem with this.

I do not appreciate people who just reach out without asking, and there are surprisingly a lot of them, too. I'm also a bit leary of having someone snatch her.....not unheard of, unfortunately.

A lot of the people we have met are either doxy owners or former owners. They always ask first.

[maddoxies]

as soon as they heard he was paralyzed, they would suddenly pull their hand away as if they would catch it or something. That really TICKS ME OFF! :boxing:

To be fair, some of them are afraid of hurting the special needs little ones. I have had this happen when I have been out and about with Heidi Ho Ho. People will pet her until they hear she is handicapped and then pull back. Once I explain that they cannot hurt her, they are usually fine. (the majority of people, some are twits)

[SirOliversMom]

I don't mind as long as people ask and so far most people have asked even kids. I don't let them touch Tammy unless she's in my arms and is feeling secure. She's still very timid and I don't want her scared unecessarily.

[Orchid Crazy]

I have young kids - wouldn't say they are the largest source of germs around - think that's pushing it a bit and yes I have my kids wash their hands after they go potty - lots of moms are like that.

I'd say if you take your dog where there are people, then you are asking for people to want to touch your dog. Especially a doxie, they just seem to draw attention wherever they go.

Do I allow folks to touch our Buddy? Yup - young and old. (I see more older folks that don't wash their hands btw - mom is more apt to make sure little Johnny uses soap).

I do not like it when folks run up to touch him and it happens - young and old. But he as much runs up to other folks as they run to him. Buddy looks at people as creatures who will shower him with love, attention and sometimes even treats (now that I something I do poo-poo. I don't want just anyone giving him something.)

As far as my kids, I do try and teach my children to ask first - you just never know when a dog will snap at someone. Sometimes it's from lack of socialization, sometimes it's from being nervous in a strange place, sometimes it's from being scared from being rushed at. They know the danger of a dog bite. Sounds like the mom did try to have her child approach properly. I find that kids are more apt to approach Buddy properly. They tend to be more ask, stick your hand out for a sniff, pet calmly and talk softly plus they are at a good height, whereas a lot of adults will come at him from the top and just assume they can pet right off the bat.

Oh, I also bring my kids with me everywhere unless they are in school including the vet, I have no other option nor would I choose one. A vet trip can be interesting with at times 2 cats, 1 dog and 3 kids, but it's good for the animals to have their humans there, particularly the cats. Buddy loves the vet no matter what, but it calms the cats. It's also good for the kids to see what happens at the vet; makes them more compassionate to their pets after shots, they care for them, baby them. I want them involved with the care of their animals whether it be to provide the basics of love, food and water, or the big things like doc visits, shots and spay/neutering.

[Sabrina]

I pretty much let anyone come up and pet my puppers. I think it's good that they're getting socialized plus, they both LOVE the attention. The only time I get annoyed is if I'm in a rush. Then it seems every person that lives on my street, neghbourhood, city are all out to pet -my- dogs. heh Ok maybe that's extreme, but you know what I mean. I'm to nice to actually say anything about it. Although I'd prefer people to ask first (especially children) it's not to much of a big deal if they don't. I just simply let everyone who pets them know that a) there's a 99% chance that one or both will jump up on you b)lick you and c) there's always a chance that a dog could quickly get irritated and growl etc.

[Cocoa and Me]

mind if people ASK first! Other wise they are not allowed to pet them.
This was the first thing I thought of when I saw this post. I get kind of peeved when people walk up to Cocoa and just petting her. I understand others may have dogs and love them, but I take Cocoa out for HER enjoyment, not to amuse others :blush: Then again, Cocoa LOVES people and will whine and cry until she gets to meet them, and normally if she wants to meet them then I figure, "hey if Cocoa wants to meet them...." She doesn't really enjoy screaming, running kids though, I can see her tail slowly get lower and lower, and she looks up at me and stands very close to me feet. I too, don't really allow younger children to pet her...they tend to frighten her with their rough petting...and the last thing I need is Cocoa hating children...one day I plan on having children and Cocoa will still be with me...just planning ahead :D

[TDR11114]

Have gotten used to most of our freinds that come over to our house. When I first got them home, I let them be around a couple of kids so that they can get used to them, However... that said , Blue is a little stand offish around men that she dosent know, and small children, unless I get down with them and pet them at the same time . Now, I have a neighbor that is gay,and he is the one that comes over to take care of them when I go out of town, and they love him! He just talks to them, and when he is coming up the sidewalk you should hear them bark, and then they will jump up in his lap! His room mates mother has a black and tan, named Scotty, who is a tad overweight, and the girls love him!

[quavec]

I have children who love dogs. They also love to wash thier hands...even when I'm not present believe it or not. My 3 yr old is the hand washing police at his daycare. My daughter thinks it is absolutely gross not to wash your hands.

Cricket is great w/kids although he has a submissive peeing problem. I warn anyone around him that they should be prepared to be pee'd on if they touch him. That usually weeds out the not quite so in love w/dog people. I do prefer if people ask. I teach my children to do this. You never know what kind of dog they are approaching and what kind of germs they may have.