I hope this is the correct forum. I did a search but couldn't mesh a whole lot together, so maybe this post can summarize what I'd like advice on.

My dog is a 2.5yr old Aussie/Husky mix. She's a quick learned and smart as a whip, but I'm having consistency problems with other people.

I like to take my dog with me to parks, cafes, and other general areas. My problem isn't handling her, it's handling the people that want to pet her and see her.
I have no problem telling someone to ignore my dog because she's in training, or telling them to approach her differently, or telling parents/children to not let them pet my dog because she's too excitable.

But how do you handle the people that just refuse to listen to you? I've come across at least 3 different cases of people or people with kids who absolutely refuse to leave my dog alone. One of them was a couple of middle-aged women who kept squealing and clapping and exciting my dog when I was trying to keep her focused in a down, and despite being told to stop, they kept going, saying things like, "Oh it's OK! Look she's so happy! hey puppy! HEY CUTE DOGGY!! AWW! Look at her wag!! No no, it's fine, she's wagging her tail, she can lay down in a minute! look how cute!"
To which I ended up leaving because the women refused to stop when I requested and even commanded it.
Another case was similar to that, someone trying to pet my dog while she was sitting next to me at restaurant, and trying to feed her from their plate. She never took the food because of my command, but no matter what I said or what tone I took, this person kept trying to throw little pieces of chicken and fries from their plate to my dog. Every time I picked up/kicked the food away and told them to stop, and they only quit when they left their table. It was outrageously rude and I'm glad my dog didn't take the food, but I was in shock at how someone could be so disrespectful as to ignore an owner's requests/commands to not feed THEIR dog.
And the other was a father with two toddlers who wanted to pull my dog's tail and ears, and he kept saying, "Oh they're just having fun! They're just kids, they're playing, your dog likes them!" and it only ended when I warned the father that if his kids persisted there was a risk that my dog would bite them since they were trying to pull her lips. I was about to get up and leave (since I had shoo'd the kids away multiple times and was DONE with them) when the father took his kids and left. There wasn't a lot of places for me to move away from them to, and left me in a conundrum.

Has anyone else had similar experiences with people just NOT respecting your wishes? What are polite yet stern ways to tell someone to knock it off and leave your animal alone? The "Leave my dog alone" with walking off works for me, but sometimes I don't want to leave because of one jerk. I never want to use threats, ever, nor do I want to go on saying, "My dog will bite" in case they threaten me for having an aggressive dog, although it appears to be effective against persistent people, sadly.

What ways do you all use to get the public to respect you/leave your animal alone?

Jim,

Unfortunatley there are those people who have selective hearing when it comes to the "cute little furry thing on a string".

I pretty much say it politely once, and then I will actually step in front of my dog or block whatever access the persistent person has to my dog and tell them to "Leave the dog alone" in a stern, somewhat not so nice, manner. And when they get pissy and turn to leave I make sure I say Thank You.

IMO, most kids are better than adults. If they come ask to pet my dog and I say no because he is working, then they say okay and leave. Some do not, but the majority of the kids respect no quicker than the parents or other adults.

Maybe I should say, "Leave my dog alone or I will bite you!!"

Well i was going to sarcastically say teach your dog to agress towards people who call your dog but im guessing that wouldn't be a good thing.

Well if the polite "no" isn't working you your self need to start getting aggressive towards the people to the point of being rude if you have to be.

People aren't going to understand what you are doing so the best way is to give them a short no to start with and if you can a quick explanation if that dosn't work then start getting blunt and tell them to back off

It's a shame people are so ignorant of courtesy! I like the suggestion to say: "Leave my dog alone or I will bite you!!" <-- Perhaps I should bark (my friends can vouch that it sounds more convincingly real than my own dog's!) at them until they leave her alone.
I'm just so tired of rude people, the only places to go with dog-people are dog parks (I don't like any more) and Petsmart, and we all know pet stores can attract some rock-headed individuals. Oi!

It took me a long time and more years than I like to think about to learn that "No, the dog is in training" can't be followed with *any* explanation or discussion....

While most people have a brain and might appreciate some interesting discussion, the few brainless ones out there have taught me that my "No" has to be polite but absolutely final.

I pretty much follow Carol's suggestions.

I have been wondering about this myself. I am working with my Cheyenne so hard on new surfaces, people, water and the whole exposure/socialization thing. Honestly, this has been the hardest part yet. I also don't want to be rude, but when push comes to shove..........
Once again, I have to really thank you all for so freely giving your knowledge and experience.
After reading about the GSD breed for a long time, studying here and Ed's dvds, I feel as if I have never raised a dog correct in my entire life!

I only recently encountered this problem.

It's happened twice, once with a neighbourhood kid who was trying to feed Jenga weeds...I asked him politely to stop, but he just giggled and kept trying for it, and eventually I said, "STOP IT, NOW!" He was terrified. He still avoids eye contact. The other time was with a guy I'm almost positive was on drugs - he asked if he could give Jenga a hug...and I politely said no, and after being asked for an explanation, said that he liked his personal space...the guy then came running towards us with his arms open and Jenga snarled at him...then the guy gave up.

You don't need to give a long explanation...a polite "no" or "sorry, he's in training" works just fine. If that doesn't work, you can get mean. Whne I was 8, I was walking past this guy with a GS on my way to school and as I was about to pass him, he started yelling "DON'T LOOK! AVOID EYE CONTACT! DON'T LOOK!!!" I think I would have preferred he crossed the street or said it more calmly, I was a little shaken up!

 Quote: heather williams

Whne I was 8, I was walking past this guy with a GS on my way to school and as I was about to pass him, he started yelling "DON'T LOOK! AVOID EYE CONTACT! DON'T LOOK!!!" I think I would have preferred he crossed the street or said it more calmly, I was a little shaken up!

That's a situation where I'd have promptly peed myself!

Thanks for all the advice guys, I appreciate the help. Maybe if being polite doesn't work, I'll spray determined dog-pester-ers with a water bottle and shout "NO. BAD HUMAN. LEAVE IT."

First, I politely tell them I do not allow anyone to pet my dogs. If that doesn't work, I ask them if they see me touching their children. This is usually met with a somewhat quizzical expression. If they still don't listen, and ask if they bite, I say "Not as hard as his/her mother." Again, a quizzical expression. Last resort, I'll say to the dog (victim) "Let's get away from these idiots, shall we?"

I only get rude if someone is going out of their way to harrass my dog; I don't take them in heavily populated areas, park them in front of the door, and then expect people to ignore them.

Jinn, I certainly understand your point. At the moment, my wife and I have a Maltese. Talk about a dog that attracts attention! :roll-eyes:

When we get in situations where folks won't take no for an answer, I just quietly step in the way, and say, "Please don't touch my dog." I'm a BIG guy, so I have that advantage. My wife has a BIG attitude (God love her for it!) so she just says, "Leave the dog alone, or I'll sic my husband on you."

It's terrible, really, and I'm constantly amazed at how rude people are.

For the case in the park, you handled it well. Sometimes the only thing you can do is get the dog out of the way.

Luck!
-Jim