Here's the problem I'm having...I have a young Malinois who will eventually be trained for personal protection work. We live near a huge outdoor park facility that we visit almost daily. We live in a townhome so this is how I make sure that Vader gets his socialization and exercise. While I want him to be exposed to lots of people, I don't want them to approach him. We don't allow strangers to pet him, but it seems like whenever I take him anywhere, we are surrounded by people wanting to pet the "german shepherd" I get tired of constantly having to tell people not to approach him, but I don't want to avoid public places either..it's vital for his training. How do you handle people trying to pet your dog when you don't allow it? What do you tell them so you don't sound mean but get your point across?

They have a bandanna here on Leerburg that says Service Dog in Training. It may be one solution. I know some people had a problem with it but then it was concluded that it is perfectly legal and in your case I would definitely consider that giving your goals for the dog.

Personally, I'd be strongly ethically opposed to using "Service dog in Training" on a dog that was not.

I'd just use a vest or bandanna that said something like "In training, do not pet or distract". Or just block people when they approach (determined people can't read half the time anyway) and say, "I'm sorry he's in training so please just ignore him" Should get easier as he gets a bit older

MY dogs....MY rules.

I'm not the least bit concened about sounding mean. Don't pet the dogs. I tell people that the dogs are 'working dogs' not pets & I don't allow strangers to pet them.

You wouldn't let some stranger come up & touch your kid would you? Same rules apply. My dogs, I say who gets to do what. If they don't like it...too bad!

ETA.... my dogs are worked regularly on local sport & school fields in my town & often while games or gym classes are being held. My dogs have been raised on these fields & ignore any & all that is going on around them & will work anywhere no matter what the people are doing. They will ignore anyone that walks up to them. That's what you want a neutral dog. If your dog is looking like they want interaction, that is when you see people wanting to come up & pet them. I don't want my dogs to even make eye contact with someone. If they think that someone is going to pet them etc, then they learn to encourage the interaction with strangers. It has to start from a pup to not have the dog look toward strangers to give them any attention.

 Quote: mara jessup

Personally, I'd be strongly ethically opposed to using "Service dog in Training" on a dog that was not.

Me too. I agree 110%.

I tell people that my dog doesn't like people touching him. In my dog's case it's true, but even if it isn't, it usually works. The rare exception is that person who keeps on coming and says "But ALL dogs LOVE me....". When that happens I just step between the person and the dog and say "No".

I think she means that she get sick and tired of repeating it over and over. I do too. That's why I suggested the bandanna. What it says is of course open to discussion.

I looked up threads on it previously about this issue because something like this can be misused and there is a law about service dogs. I think it was so serious that Ed himself got involved. It was concluded that if it says "Service Dog in Training" as opposed to "Service Dog" it was OK to do that.

I will try to find those links if the OP wants them.

I had the same issue when I first got my puppy too. I found an effective way to stop people and kids from petting my puppy and dogs without using a service dog bandanna. I am deaf and I could not tell people and kids that I don't want them to pet my dogs. I always keep my dogs close to me so I reach out one of my arms to protect the dog and look at the person or kid coming into my direction and turn from my head left to right mouthy "No."

Many people and kids stopped coming into our direction and turned their back away and some got kind of curious started to ask questions, but it works greatly! It really caught their attention completely!

From ebook Who Can Pet My Puppy by Ed Frawley, pg. 4-5:

"When we walk our puppies and people try and pet our dogs we politely but firmly ask them not to touch our dog. If questioned, we simply tell them the dog is being
trained as a service dog. As long as you are not trying to disguise a dog as a service dog and take it places normal pets don’t belong, there is nothing wrong with this."

Lindsay, what a great idea!

 Quote:

I looked up threads on it previously about this issue because something like this can be misused and there is a law about service dogs. I think it was so serious that Ed himself got involved. It was concluded that if it says "Service Dog in Training" as opposed to "Service Dog" it was OK to do that.

Service dogs perform a task that benefits their master who has a physical or emotional disability. If you want a vest on your dog, fine. Just have "Working dog" or "In Training" on in. You're getting your point across and not misrepresenting yourself/your dog at all that way.

Of course part 2 could be that a vest will attract more attention to your dog. It all depends on the type of people you're around. And in the end you're still going to have to be assertive with some people. Which is perfectly fine - like Anne said, your dog, your rules and you shouldn't have to feel bad about enforcing them

"a vest will attract more attention to your dog. It all depends on the type of people you're around."

Unfortunately, you are 100% correct. I don't understand why but you can have "DO NOT TOUCH" all over your dog and some people will still try to do that!