Hi! After reading some old discussions here I'm thinking of getting a vest for my dog in the hopes of deterring random strangers from trying to pet her without asking (and, hopefully, to preemptively answer the question of those who would ask). She's not a police dog or service dog, and I certainly don't want to misrepresent her in any way, but we are training in Schutzhund and I was wondering whether "Working Dog - DO NOT PET" would be appropriate to put on the vest (along with "In Training"). Would it be inappropriate or a misrepresentation to use that patch? If I haven't explained myself well please let me know; I'm happy to give more info if necessary!

Also, I'm leaning toward a black vest just because of the color of my dog, but a friend pointed out that brighter colors might be more noticeable and therefore get better results. I'm curious to hear other peoples' thoughts on whether or not the color of the vest would affect strangers' responses to it. My only thought was that a bright vest might be seen as more approachable than a dark one. I could well be wrong. Anyway, I'd love to hear any thoughts anyone has on that and the patch! Thanks in advance!

I think a few folks might recognize the orange vest as some sort of service dog & leave it alone; so the orange has recognition value. They wouldn't even have to read the words to know it wasn't a dog for petting.

Then, the "Working Dog" "in training" labels.
IMO

We have a 'In Training' Blaze orange vest for Sara. I don't use it much anymore.

We've really hesitated adding 'working dog' to it, because to me, that implies a service dog, police K-9, SAR dog or MWD. I dunno, prolly just me though.

In all honestly the 'in training' and 'do not pet' patches don't seem to do the trick. People may not ask to pet her, but then it's always the other list of questions.
-What is she in training for? (Nothing, just basic OB and she's distractible so we ask people not to pet her)
-Is she a lab? (No , a pointer)
-How long has she been in training? (Since we got her, and every day till she dies)
and it can go on and on.

Someone should make a vest with Cesar M's rules on it! No touch, No talk, No eye contact.

The stupidity of people amazes me. I muzzle Koenig while he's in the car. (he eats seat-belts when left unattended...) The other day at the gas station a lady asked me if he bites. For simplicity's sake, I said Yes. She proceeded to ask if she could pet him..... WTF?

 Quote: kelly byrd

The stupidity of people amazes me. I muzzle Koenig while he's in the car. (he eats seat-belts when left unattended...) The other day at the gas station a lady asked me if he bites. For simplicity's sake, I said Yes. She proceeded to ask if she could pet him..... WTF?

OMG... and the woman is no doubt a 'breeder' & has a litter of children w/all her 'advantages'.

Yeah, that's why I said a few would recognize it & leave you alone. But I live by the quote... "The masses are asses." That's why lawnmowers come w/the warning not to use them as hedge clippers...

Kelly, that's exactly what I was concerned about, that "Working Dog" might connote some sort of police/SAR/MWD connection. Like I said, I don't want to misrepresent her and didn't know if "working dog" could apply to Schutzhund in this context. Thanks for sharing all the info about your experience with vests, it's given me way more to think about (like the possibility that it would actually lead to way more questions). I love the idea of the vest with Cesar M's rules, I would buy one of those AND a matching shirt ("Do not touch the dog, Do not talk to the dog, Do not look at the dog").

Jane, that's what my friend was thinking. That's another vote in her favor! I guess I'm going to have to think about this some more.

Thanks to both of you for the input!

Hah! "The masses are asses." I may have to start using that.

As for the woman at the gas station... just wow. I like to pretend that people like that don't exist, but humanity seems determined to prove otherwise.

I'd say it all depends on the type of people you have in your area.

A vest probably will lead to more questions. So you should be prepared for that. And people still try to pet dogs that are known service dogs. Grr.

It might be just as easy to ignore people, or you see one approaching your dog, speak up and say "Please leave my dog alone". Own your personal space and get comfortable with being a touch rude with people who violate it.

Ooh, I definitely suck at being rude to people. I'm great at it in my head, but then what comes out of my mouth is unfailingly nice and polite. I probably need to learn to be ok with a bit of rudeness, just as a general policy. Sometimes it is necessary.

I suppose I don't really mind answering questions. If I were on the other side of things I'd be curious too. Funny thing, though, until Kelly brought it up I hadn't even considered that as a possibility. Good thing I asked!

You're probably right that just ignoring people and owning my personal space might be just as easy and effective, if not more so. I'll keep thinking about all the points everyone has brought up, but I'm leaning toward not bothering with a vest. However, I am now a bit curious as to how people in my area would react.

well i have a 1.6 year old boerboel. we go in and train all the time in petsmart, everyone wanted to touch the dog and ask a million questions. plus zephyr was not comfortable with all the attention esp loud OMG SHE IS SOOOOO CUTE blah blah. we dont do sar or really work in any real capacity other then obedience and not even offical obedience at that. i still need room without all the darn people bugging us. so i got a blue vest(she is a fawn) with the working dog dont pet patch, honestly it has helped. we still get a couple die hards who can not help themselves but generally people are more polite in my opinion.
i think its ok as long as you you dont pretend to be something you are not like a service dog your dog is still working its a very broad term

Ashley

at least you all seem to have people who are friendly and want to pet the dog,even if it is a PITA.
At the moment I am socializing my GSD puppy around the nearest town.Engaging with food and playing tug etc.Most people just scowl,look at me as if I am potty or shoudn't be there,act scared,or just embarrassed.I have had people fling themselves across the pavement just when I am walking on a tight lead.
which is fine as I don't want anyone to pet him.
But then Ireland is a pretty anti dog country unlike France where all hotels,bars,restaurants shops welcome the dog.
I think I need a vest "This dog won't harm you "