Somebody please explain to me WHY people think it's okay to waltz up and touch my dogs?? I have let people pet my dogs in the past and yes I have an unusual dog but what clear thinking adult thinks it's okay to walk up behind an unknown animal and owner and touch the dog without my consent!

This just happened to me this morning. I was waiting outside our local coffee shop for my husband and Cito suddenly jumped. I turned around and there was this guy behind me saying "what's wrong with your dog?" Granted Cito is very friendly and was just surprised but I was peeved! I explained to the guy that it's unwise to touch an unknown dog etc and his answer was "I know all about dogs. I grew up with them. Besides, you shouldn't have a dog in public that doesn't like to be pet." How do you handle a guy like that?? What to say to someone who refuses to acknowledge that he's overstepped a boundary by touching my dog??

Thee is really nothing you can say he will learn his lesson one day and your dog is beautiful i would tell someone next time that if you know so much about dogs then you would not have done what you did the worst thing you can do to anyone or animal is walk up behind them ask them if i walk up behind you and scare you would you turn around and be nice or turn around ready to fight for your life people dont know strangers and had to get to know them well so do dogs what tell them that if you dont ask dont touch if they act 5 treat them like there 5

There is a whole thread here somewhere about what to say to people who are rude enough to just walk up to you and touch your dog without your permission....you wouldn't just walk up to someone's children and do the same; it would be creepy. People don't have the right to do that, and you are well within your rights to be upset about it. I usually tell people my dog is a working dog in training and ask that they please don't pet him. Not as much of a problem for me, I'm guessing, since my dog is a large Doberman and not a beautiful and unsual Ibizan hound! I'm sorry I couldn't find the thread for you (I have dial-up and searching for anything is soo sloooow) but maybe someone else can find it?

Thanks for the heads up on the thread Kristel. I'll do a search for it. Your Dobie is Beautiful:-)

First off Dvijapatni, this is YOUR DOG and the dog is part of your pack. I would have a BIG problem with someone that ignored what I told him about touching my dog, this is UNACCEPTABLE. I tell everyone that asks me to pet the same thing: "NO ONE PETS MY DOG".

If they can't understand that, there are "Other" approaches like asking them if they are deaf or just plain stupid. The same goes with people that have other dogs, get your dog away from a strange dog that you do not know. Dog fights happen before you know it unless you know how to read dogs.

As a result of raising my dogs like this, they are aloof to other people and only care about me, which is what I want as I am the pack leader, period. I do not like to see working dogs that are social butterflys, this is not good for getting their attention on you.

Don't be afraid to tell someone where to get off at in regards to your dog and your preferences. Would you allow a complete stranger to walk up and pet your son's head? It's the SAME THING! I am lucky to have dogs that people would think twice walking by too close.

Good Luck and do yourself a favor and get Ed's DVD on raising a working puppy, it goes over all of this and is very good on this topic.

Thanks for your input and suggestions Art. The pack concept that you describe is EXACTLY why I'm so frustrated! I'm working hard at making some changes in the way I handle and interact with my dogs. I have read many articles on this website and agree with the majority of them.

My dogs are incredibly important to me and I protect them as much as possible. I guess the toughest thing for me is dealing with an environment I cannot control. I did tell this guy "dont' touch my dog" and he came back with the "you shouldn't have a dog in public that doesn't like to be pet". I told him that it wasn't my dog it was ME that didn't want him pet and he needed to respect that. He really was huffy and angry and demanded to know my reasoning. I just told him it's what I feel comfortable with. Fortunately my husband came out of the coffee shop about then and told the guy to bugger off!
(people don't generally mess with my hubby *wicked grin*).

Again though, thanks for the input and I'll see about adding the "Raising a Working Puppy" to the collection...although it might have to get in line behind the long line, Amish leather collers and Orbee:-)

Tell him what you just wrote here, I think that's pretty good and gets right to the point, end of discussion on his part and leaves no doubt as to your position on the issue. Just say "you refuse to acknowledge that you've overstepped a boundary by touching my dog" and add "especially since I've just given you the boundary by telling you not to pet him, a boundary I have every right to give".

 Quote: Dvijapatni Malovic

..refuses to acknowledge that he's overstepped a boundary by touching my dog..

I don't think you are going to find anyone here who is going to advocate letting people touch your dog at their discretion, and especially by surprise!

But to the question at hand: Why do these people want to touch the dog? One reason, they never met Art Lavely! Another is because 80% of dog owners don't know s%#^ about the way pack order works. And some of the ones who do still let the dogs come up to you first thing when you walk through the door. They open the door, then back up to let the dog come check you out. Or, in Bella's case the day I adopted her, launch at you like a rocket and "kiss" your face...how cute...

Bottom line, like everyone else here has said, stand your ground. I am not on walks to find petting buddies for my dog. Anyone who approaches you to touch the dog should ask first. If they don't ask, I wouldn't hesitate to be rude to get their attention. It is better than the alternative of them being bit.

I feel your pain! I've had almost the exact same thing happen to me. And I've rehearsed my monolouge a hundred times in my head for such a situation, of course it didn't come out that way! (This other person did not have a dog with them, I should point out.) What I did is while he was bent over petting my dogs head I just reached up and placed my hand on his shoulder without saying a single word; I mean, he never gave my dog or I that courtesy. He quickly stood up very confused and surprised (my hand still in place) and very slowly backed away from me, turned and walked away. Never seen him since.

You could get a collar that reads DO NOT PET. Can't remember the web site though. I'm thinking about getting a couple for my gsd's, altough with those dogs not many people approach. They like to admire from a distance *evil grin*.