Hi,
I have a 2 year old rottweiler with some fear issues. I love to take him backpacking at our local park. He is fine walking past people and being around people in general he just gets very fearful when someone tries to pet him, he does not bark/growl or try to bite, just will jump back or will duck away from the hand that is trying to pet him. Today I had to go into the office at the park to pay and I had Riddick with me and there was 2 men in the office, the first guy ignored Riddick and walked past him to leave the office, Riddick was fine, the second man walked, what I thought past me, actually reached down to pet Riddick and I felt Riddick jerk back on the leash, trying to jump back. The man never asked me if he could pet Riddick. And then he made a comment like "oh, he's a little skittish" I know I should have been paying more attention, but people very rarely want to pet a rottweiler. So how could I have handled the situation better, as far as after the man tried to pet my dog without permission and also how can I tell people who may ask to pet him that I don't want them to, without them thinking he may bite, I don't want to make the breed look worse in the public's eye by saying he could bite.

Thanks so much
Beth

Its simple, but not easy.

You just have to tell them. Firmly.

Remember that while you dog has never bitten, it could happen. Its your responsibility to protect your dog.

It sometimes offends people, but don't worry about it, mine used to do the same thing except without the skittishness he'd just walk away from them and I'd politely say just leave him but some people wouldn't take the hint and follow and try again and after he walked away the second time I'd firmly say just leave him be he doesn't like you (only a very few could actually pet him) but some people, usually so called friends of mine, still didn't get it and tried again that's when he'd growl and snap at their reaching hand then they got the hint he never bit anyone like this just scary enough to make them leave him alone. You have to be very firm and rude if needs be some people just don't take the hints!!

I don't want Jethro to get too friendly or interested in other people. I like it that he ignores them, I don't have to worry about him jumping up or giving unwanted crotch sniffs. What I do is position my body so that whoever wants to approach my dog has to go through me. It's been working really well out on the sidewalk, especially for people with children who are showing interest in my dogs. I put them in a sit on the grass beside and feed Jethro treats while people pass. If anyone asks, I say he is in training, and use my hand to gesture the child away. That is usually enough for the parents to take the hint and give us leeway.

In your situation, knowing your dog is skittish, I would have positioned him so that your body was blocking him from unwanted attention while you did the transaction. If possible, I would have him in a sit close beside me where I can easily feed him treats so he is looking up at me while he waits for the next treat.

Some people are dog-stupid, or they think they are dog-know-it-all. You need to protect your dog, and them, from their ignorance. It might be fun to make a nice little vest for Riddick with the phrase, "does not play well with others" or something like that.

Never be shy to physicaly block them, either.

You would be amazed how many people will reach towards the dog after the owner says "Please don't pet my dog!"

Its hard, but its for the best. They don't need to know why.

I have the opposite problem. My dog used to move directly towards any one who even made eye contact. Its better now, but she still will get rilled up if someone pets her or talks to her.

Since she is so social people never understand that I simply don't want her getting to that level of excitement, ever. I've learned that I have to be almost bitchy about it to get the message across.

In the office situation, or waiting in a line, if I have a dog I don't want someone touching, I keep the dog in a sit, the side away from people walking by. Example, Me, dog, wall, if this is not possible,and people walking on both sides, the dog is in a sit between my legs. I find most won't reach to touch him, or ask, if he is there...lol

 Quote: Tammy Moore

the dog is in a sit between my legs. I find most won't reach to touch him, or ask, if he is there...lol

I have been doing this with my pup and it works great Out of my three dogs, only one likes to interact with strangers...for the other two, I absolutely do not let people pet them and have no problem letting people know firmly that they need to keep their distance or deal with me.

I like the sit between your legs idea only problem is...I have 2 dogs. I'm only 5'2 so there is no fitting them both!

The sit between legs is super effective ("Excuse me, I don't want your hand between my legs"...you get the best looks ever XD) you can also teach him to walk with you there as well if you're in line or in a super crowded area.

For general walking I would just say body block is the best way to go....

When I was working with my dog to prepare for the Delta Society Therapy Dog test, I bought an inexpensive orange vest that had "IN TRAINING" stitched on it. Even though Rhino is very friendly & gentle, there were situations/places in which I wanted to ward off unsolicited petting and keep him focused on me. It worked like a charm and I never had anyone touch him without asking. I understand you don't want to contribute to the misperceptions of Rotties but if you explain you are training, most people should respect that without thinking your dog is a menace. And yes, sometimes you will probably have to be very firm and risk being seen as "rude" by a few people who don't understand what you are doing. Just let it roll off your back - you're doing the right thing.