My dog is well trained and perfectly relaxed in public but if anyone tries to pet him he reacts with aggression. He won't do this with people he knows. Is there a solution or is it better to respect his nature and not let strangers approach?

This is about a 3-year-old, male border collie dog, it's not a fearful dog, He is confident and he has advanced obedience training, and also agility training. He can walk among people in malls, markets, and massive events keeping quiet and relaxed but if a stranger whether a woman, man, adult, or kid, approaches and tries to pet him, he reacts with aggression, even if people only praise him from a distance. He won't do it with people he knows.

I would like the dog to stop reacting like that, is there a solution or would it be better to respect his nature and just not let strangers approach him?

Cindy's Answer

I don't allow strangers to interact with any of my dogs who show the tendency of not wanting to be touched. I respect my dog's personal preferences in situations like this.

I tell people to please give my dog space and don't touch. Maybe even get him a vest that says WORKING DOG Do Not Pet

I don't enjoy strangers coming up to me and touching me and a number of the herding and working breeds are the same.