Just say that he is in training, and no, they cannot pet him. And hold your ground (screaming kids can be the parents problem, not yours!) Step between them and your dog if they continue to push. Or turn and walk away. Keep high value treats (string cheese, freeze dries liver) with you to help focus Tank's attention back on you.

Keep in mind that he is very much a puppy, and those people are proving to be a huge distraction for him right now. So you're going to have to be on your toes managing that distraction. I'd also try exercising him before taking him out to help take the edge off his exuberance.

Jennifer, I think your going to just have to be strict. Tank is only 4 mos old! He's a pup and everything is new to him. It WILL get better as he gets older, but right now, I would say just be patient.

Jennifer, I also have a bit of a problem with strangers wanting to pet my dog, and really pisses me off when people want to blow me off. My dog is a one year old Malinois, and although most steer clear out of our way, some like to believe that they're a Dog Whisperer or something. They believe that they can charm every single dog into instantly liking them.

Like many have said, you have to stand your ground. Everytime someone who asks about the dog, I instantly tell them to not pet the dog because he's a protection dog. Your question is just as good as mine...why the heck would someone want to pet a strange dog. If you have to be rude about it, do it. The hell with their feelings, that will probably the last time you ever see that person anyway.

 Quote: jennifer wiseman

...However, his seemingly unyielding obedience falls all to pieces when I take him out in public (away from the house or his usual walking route). All of a sudden he jumps up on people, pulls on the leash until he chokes, completely ignores me, and acts like the most obnoxious little pup. It's very frustrating and quite embarrassing.

My trainer says he needs "distraction training" and more "socializing." From my view, Tank is just being a brat...

Sounds like a completely normal puppy, not a brat and certainly not intentionally being a brat. He's only 4 months old. He's happy to meet people, that's what 4 month olds do, so it's not a brat thing. Don't be embarassed by him. Use that opportunity to reinforce the training you've already given him, which is part of the distraction phase. Your trainer is right about training under distractions. You have to introduce the distractions one at a time. When he obeys with one distraction, add another (either person or place). It's one thing for a pup to obey in the home and quite another to learn to obey when in public or unfamiliar places.

Socializing is not getting your pup to love and play with everyone he meets. It's getting him to be used to being around people without having to meet everyone and to be comfortable in different places. That way he stays intent on you and not others; he's not distracted. This doesn't just happen in a couple of days. Time and patience.

So don't throw everything on him at once (tons of people, kids, places). Take it easy with the distractions and use each one to continue your training.

As far as what you say to people who want to pet him, it's up to you. What I've done sometimes when appropriate is ask them if they wouldn't mind helping with his training by standing there and not petting while I give him a couple of basic commands, which I do, then say thanks and walk away quickly with a "come" command. Works pretty well.

Teaching him to wear a basket-style muzzle could work as far as the problem idiots go. If you make it a positive thing associated with fun and good times, he'll actually love his muzzle. Just take time to introduce the muzzle and accustom him to it. And if you think people are a problem with a Rottie, try having Rough Collies. I'd be willing to bet that when Tank is a full-grown Rottie (around 2 years of age) you'll have fewer people trying to just walk up and pet him.

Jennifer it may seem a small thing but it really can make a difference - don't make eye contact with the people walking toward you.

Most of us ( ) can read non-verbal cues from other people. Let's say you are in an office building (sans dog) and want to ask someone the time. When you think about how you react to someone near you who is totally focused on themselves, you'd probably skip over them and ask the guy/gal who has just made eye contact with you.

If you are walking your dog and people are approaching, it really will help you if you act/feel/look the part that you are on a mission and prefer not to be disturbed. Something as simple as not making eye contact can go a long way. Granted there's always that idiot but for the most part, it should cut down on the ones that do have a clue.

As far as feeling rude, I read a quote that applies here: What people think of you is none of your business. Oh so true, eh? Especially if it involves strangers.

I used to let women and children pet my dog. I found it difficult to say no to the pleasant men that would ask but I would say no.

Then I started what I call a demon thread . It was about changing my dog's friendly behavior to the point that I want him to ignore people. Long story short, it was me that needed to change. And change I did! I now walk with him with a totally different outlook - NO ONE is going to pet my dog. You can't believe the difference in how people react now as opposed to before. Before, they would do exactly what you described. Now, I simply say a calm "No, I don't let people pet my dog. I'm sorry." And they ALL (every last one of them) have been fantastic and have given me no problem, look, comment, nothing.

So no eye contact and confidence in your purpose and in yourself and you'll have better luck I think. Good luck.

Judy

Edited by Judy Troiano (04/06/2007 05:22 AM)
Edit reason: typo

Judy has the right of it, I feel. Attitude is everything. Let the folks that get upset GET upset. Tank is YOUR dog, YOU are his world, not others. 4 mos. for a Rottie is a wonderful time; be jealous of it and hoard the attention he gives! *smile*

A quick step ahead of Tank, with him on a short lead "No, I'm sorry. Only I pet my dog. Please excuse us," and turn around or walk past if there is room. Spoiled children are the PARENT'S problem, not yours. Keep them away from Tank as some would just as soon yank an ear as give a gentle stroke.

Luck!
-Jim

Jennifer -

I have Pits and am always amazed when strangers come head towards me like they know my dogs. I use the stare right through them and move in a different direction strategy, if this initiates the question..."Is he friendly", or "NICE PIT", or any other questions that will lead to stranger handling, with my male I tell them he is old, with a look like ya don't want to go there, with my female although she is going on 5 she is so small she still looks like a puppy and I say "she's a pup and I am training her not to jump". Some folks even ignore that and then I tell them straight out "DON'T PET THE DOG"! I've been called a bitch and some other choice phrases...but hey I guess when it come to the liability of a bully type breed and stupid people (you have to be to approach a strange powerful dog)a bitch is what I need to be. I find body language is powerful, but there are just some folks you have to get in their faces sometimes.

Sound like you have a fun pup...enjoy!!!!

Jennifer I'm not sure that at 4 mos your rott if it is exceptable to use a prong collar. I started with a prong at 6 mos with my Mal and it has been a godsend. Maybe someone with more experience than me can chime in. In my experience the prong really stops the errant jumping on people and lunging on the leash. The key is being in control of your animal and moving your dog in and out these situations with no fuss. The prong allows me this option with ease.

I really think it is funny that some people who just barge in and want to pet my dog. Some people really think it is a god given right to pet someone else's pup. My problem is my dog is an attention trollop and a schoocher, i.e. tries to slide her butt over to everyone even when I put her in a sit. Right now I am working on getting the CKC Novice obedience title with her and one of the exercise is the 'stand for exam'. I tell you that is the hardest for us to do as the trainers that I work with can attest too. (Right Lee and Julie?) I don't want to encourage her friendlyness but in the same token I don't want her to be the other way 'fearful' of people either, so I don't discourage it either.

What I have been doing to desensitise her to lovin' strangers now is I take my girl to as many busy places where I can. I've had her at the entrance to the college, at busy bus stops, in front of the door at my kid's Jiujitsu dojo. I sit her at the heel position as the people come and go. In the beginning everytime someone walks by and she ignores I click the clicker say 'YES' or give her a small treat. Anytime she starts to make eye contact with someone or tries to bust a move she gets a verbal 'AAhAhh' and if she breaks 'heel' is returned to 'heel' position gently but promptly.

I still have people who want to pet her and as long as they ask and she is in 'heel' I may allow it, but... if she moves a muscle I belt out the "AAAAH!!" with conviction and authority and as funny as it sounds she feeezes and the people freeze and move back too. The people must think I'm saying "AAAAH!" at them too. It's been a slow process but a very positive process too.

She is learnt that strange people are not to be feared and is now learning they are not deities for affection either and she is now starting to be indifferent, and hopefully saves all her puppy kisses for me! Ha-ha!