My dog is not walking petting zoo!

[Trip]

I realize that not everyone is a dog owner, but I don't really see this as a "dog issue". I think it is an issue of what many of us have devolved into as a society. As a child, I was raised that I had no right to encroach upon someone else's "space" without at least asking permission or engaging the owner before entering their space. I didn't go up and sit on a stranger's porch or start playing with the neighbor's children's toys in the yard, without gaining permission. Those type of civil niceties are going by the wayside. I don't doubt people are "just trying to be friendly" (in some cases), but "being friendly" shouldn't signal a dismissal of common sense rules. One can be just as friendly (and perhaps much safer) after asking if it is OK if I pet your dog.


I agree with all of that, but that really doesn't address my point. The reason I see these as separate issues is in a friendly or unfriendly neighborhood, if people employ the simple common sense tactic of asking before reaching for my dog (and risking a potentially nasty outcome), a possible unpleasant outcome can be avoided. PLUS, there is a greater likelihood that a negative response from me would be avoided. This remains the same whether the neighborhood is animal friendly or animal unfriendly (but I do agree, I much prefer a animal friendly neighborhood).
I don't see any of this as a major concern, only that I think that there are reasons for why people feel entitled to approach someone else's space. I do not necessarily ascribe negative or nefarious intent to their actions, just that there are reasons for them.

I don't think this is common sense issue. For it to be common sense, it has to be common knowledge. Trespassing and stealing people's toys are common knowledge as bad manners, petting the little dog isn't... I don't know if you were raised with dogs, but I was and I know I am biased for it. My wife wasn't raised with dogs or any pets at all and having watched her learn while training Beignet has been an eye opener.

A lot of times, people just don't see it as encroaching on someone's space, they view the same as a friendly greeting like shaking someone's hand. Some people are also just naturally friendlier than some people. Everyone knows that way too friendly person that gives hugs to everyone.

Not playing with a cute little puppy dog isn't something we have ingrained in our society to make it a common sense thing. It's the exact opposite, he/she is our best friend and some are treated as well or better than our fellow humans. If we want it to be common sense, it's up to knowledgable dog owners to continually educate people to make it common knowledge and part of people's common sense toolbox. Think about how people do it in the Movies and on TV... I know it's well trained animals that have had prior experiences with the actors, but not everyone does and that's a lot of people's only lessons with dealing with pets.

I am all for giving animal lovers a little lee way and maybe some education to help them next time for the next cute little doggy they meet...

 

[JLSOhio51]

I think we have reached an agree to disagree point here. In answer to your query, "Yes, I was raised around dogs (and a few horses, cows, goats, etc.)" They were not mine (except for two dogs when I was very small before my Sheltie as an adult), but I was always taught by my parents and the animal's owners NOT to simply approach them without permission of the owners or at the very least some real familiarity with the animal. I think it is great that animal lovers want to pet and fondle cuddly little pups. I just don't happen to agree that people should be given a pass for invading an animal's space without insuring that the dog and owner are OK with it.

 

[Tabitha]

I just don't happen to agree that people should be given a pass for invading an animal's space without insuring that the dog and owner are OK with it.

I agree. I hate it when someone just walks up and starts petting one of my dogs. With my boys it's 'OK' (meaning they don't mind, even if I do), but the girls don't care to be fondled with by people they don't know. Sometimes it takes up to two hours for Ida to decide if she want's to be touched by someone or not. Other times she walks right up and wants all the attention they can give. So I like people asking me first so I can worn them that she's sometimes skittish.

 

[JLSOhio51]

... So I like people asking me first so I can worn them that she's sometimes skittish.

Basically, that's all I'm saying. I see no problem with someone saying, "Is it OK for me to pet the dog?" OR, how about standing where the dog can come to them (assuming the owner allows it)? In either case, the dog gets the opportunity to buy into what's happening and/or the owner has the ability allow or deny the interaction. I don't see expecting that 2 -3 seconds of civility as a problem. But, I understand my thinking may put me in the minority, and that's OK too.

I don't expect those who act differently to what I think is correct to be drawn and quartered. It just shows that they look at appropriate/inappropriate behavior differently than I do.

 

[dblock]

Whether one lives in a dog friendly neighborhood or not is really irrelevant. Lets put the dog issue aside. Say I"m walking without my dog and your walking without your dog. I'm friendly, so I assume(and we all know what we say about people who assume) that its alright for me to just come up and stick my nose in your face. I think we all know what would happen at this point.

What this really boils down to is not just civility, but etiquette. For some reasons people feel that just because you have a dog, and to be even more specific they have a dog that they can just take away you and your dogs right to personal space on a city sidewalk and that just is not the case. In fact, as a result of me and my dog being attacked by a woman because her dog tried to bite both Beau and myself last month I had two Special Investigators sitting in my living room taking my audio tape statement regarding the incident which is now under an Internal Affairs review because of the lack of police response. In fact, one of the detectives personally thanked me for asking him if he were comfortable with dogs and for asking him to wait outside while I properly secured Beau during the interview.

 

[JLSOhio51]

I appreciate the responses of both Tabitha and dblock. I was starting to wonder if I was the only one who thinks the way that I do on this issue. (It wouldn't have changed my point of view if I was the only one, but its nice to know that I am not out of step with everyone !!)

Just as a note of full disclosure, when I had my previous Sheltie, I loooved it when people wanted to pet and hug and love on my dog (so did he). I thought it was great when people thought he was just the cutest little thing. He and I both just ate that stuff up! He just felt more comfortable when he could initiate the contact in his own timing and what made him happy was usually what made me happy too.

For some reason, this thread is making me miss him more and more. It will only be just a few more weeks before I have everything situated so I can actually go out and find my new companion.

 

[Tabitha]

For some reason, this thread is making me miss him more and more. It will only be just a few more weeks before I have everything situated so I can actually go out and find my new companion.

I was just thinking about you the other day, wondering when you were going to start looking for a dog/puppy. I'm glad your almost ready. I have a plaque that I've hung in my camper to look at when I'm out of town that says "A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME WITHOUT A SHELTIE". It's SO true! I was miserable when F-kap Sr passed away. My two little mutts didn't fill that hole in my heart. After I got F-kap's grandson, F-kap Jr, I knew all I ever wanted was shelties!

 

[Cyllian]

I do not myself like to be suddenly approached by those I do not know. I do not expect my dogs to want everyone to pet them.

I know Jester certainly would not want a stranger to approach him he likes to be introduced first and given a choice to be friendly often this means me holding him so they can pet. I do not think it is wise to assume that a dog wants the attention from dog or humans. Always better to ask.

Fox thus far seems to enjoy new things and people this could change of course, though i hope his cheerful outgoing nature remains.

I know some people encourage others by giving treats to them for the dogs. I personally would rather unless I gave them the treats for a stranger to not feed my dogs.

Some of this has to do with what I want them to eat. The other part is for them to not get used to taking food from those they do not know. It avoids little things like someone trying to poison them. Yes have had a few animals poisoned.

 

[JLSOhio51]

... I'm glad your almost ready...

I have been emotionally ready for some time. I started to get a puppy a couple of years ago because I had retired and I thought I was going to have the time to devote to a companion. Prior to retirement, I started a consulting business that I didn't anticipate would be very time consuming. Famous lasts words. Not only did I become busier than before, but consulting requires me to travel a bunch. The plan now is to scale way back when my current contracts end. Then, I'll be ready. I will still have to travel between Ohio and Indiana, but I have a residence in both and my dog can travel with me. I can't wait.

 

[Trip]

I think we have reached an agree to disagree point here. In answer to your query, "Yes, I was raised around dogs (and a few horses, cows, goats, etc.)" They were not mine (except for two dogs when I was very small before my Sheltie as an adult), but I was always taught by my parents and the animal's owners NOT to simply approach them without permission of the owners or at the very least some real familiarity with the animal. I think it is great that animal lovers want to pet and fondle cuddly little pups. I just don't happen to agree that people should be given a pass for invading an animal's space without insuring that the dog and owner are OK with it.

Ok, don't give them a free pass or educate them. React negatively to them doing it and don't educate them to ask permission first.

Have you solved the problem or helped this person understand in any way? Do you feel better about the situation by reactiing in this manner? Have you helped the next dog owner this person walks into?

I understand it upsets you, but actions have consequences. You can take a bad action and make it have a positive consequence.

This topic can have legal consequences to it as well. If your dog is not well behaved and snaps at some person that does this without asking first, this could lead to the destruction of the dog if it bites the person. So I agree, people need to ask first, but to do that, they need the education to understand it is wrong to just encroach on a dog.