I've skimmed over this thread but I just got done from a long hot morning at disney world's animal kingdom, so I apologize if I'm repeating or contradicting what someone else has already said.

Personally, I don't see much difference between a family dog and a working dog as far as socialization goes. The less people that touch your pet, the less likely it is that your pet will accidentally do something stupid. If your dog has a friendly stable temprement and is used to being around lots of people WHO DO NOT TOUCH YOUR DOG (sure, it's ok for some people to pet your dog if the dog's a pet, you're gonna run into neighbors who wanna play with your new dog etc, but that doesn't mean your dog has to go around everyone in PetSmart to say hi), then what you end up with is a dog that retains his genetic friendly temprement, is stable in any situation because of all the exposure to different places and surroundings, yet doesn't look to other people for affection and therefore is less of a pain in the butt to deal with under distractions because the dogs focus is still on you. Unless you're one of those people that doesn't care about training the dog at all and just wants a dog that runs around the house and loves everyone n never really has a tight bond with its primary care giver. If you chose a sharp dominant dog with a strong character as a family pet, then now not only do you have a dog that isn't suitable to be the type of dog you want, but you also have a dog that really SHOULDN'T be pet by everyone because the dog probably doesn't like it, and is closer to feeling like he is "tollerating it" than "enjoying it". Either you have a friendly social stable dog, or you don't. Letting everyone you meet on the street play with your dog doesn't change this, all it does is detract from the attention your dog gives to you when other people are around. What if you let your dog play with a neighbors kid who accidentally steps on your puppies tail? Guess what - now you created a dog that's gonna grow up thinking either that everyone that touches his tail wants to hurt him, or thinks that kids are gonna hurt him. You need to control your dogs exposure and environment n make everything positive, unless you can absolutely 100% guarantee a positive experience for your dog, then don't risk messing up your dog, because a 5 minute mistake can have lifelong effects on your dog depending on the dog itself and the severity of what you let happen.

Personally, I don't care if a dog's a pet or a working dog, I don't like people petting my dog regardless of his breed or temprement, personally I prefer a dog that simply doesn't like people, it annoys me how overly friendly my boy Cujo can be if someone pays attention to him, he absolutely loves kids, but I don't let him play with the neighborhood kids because I know he can be a mouthy dog if the kid does something "wrong", if he were to nip the child and draw blood, he's not being aggressive, he's being playful, but guess what - I just risked another childs safety, and I don't know how the parents will take it, they could report my dog who'll be classified as a dangerous dog because he drew blood from a strangers kid that I don't even know, because they wanted to pet my dog! You don't let every stranger you meet pinch your new born babies cheeks do ya? Or let every checkout girl give your 5 year old a lollipop when you go into a store? Why should dogs be any different? That's just my take on it, I guarantee there's plenty of people with conflicting ideas on the topic and many who will say I'm completely wrong. I also don't believe kids and dogs should be left alone - perhaps the dog is absolutely fine with kids, but trust me -- I've seen kids that are perfectly well behaved when mommy n daddy are watching, then when nobody's looking n they get annoyed for whatever reason (the dog's blocking the doorway n won't move, the dog picked up their toy n walked off with it etc) they hit the dog, smack em on the nose, yank their tail n generally do things they know they shouldn't do but figure that it's OK if nobody catches em. Maybe one day fluffy will get annoyed at this annoying kid always smacking em when daddy ain't around n react badly to it - all it takes is 2 seconds.

Mike, I'm with you 100%, but I have a question. I am now living in a heavily populated area. When people ask if they can pet my dog I say no (at least they ask). My problem is, I wonder if there is a nicer way I could say "no" without hurting peoples feelings, short of getting one of those vests with the "working dog - do not pet" patches.

People tend to ask me "is he friendly?", to which I tell em "sometimes"... nobody's been brave enough to see if my dog will like them. I try and keep out of scenarios where I have to say "no" to people, and there's been times when people have pet my dog when they shouldn't have, but I've learnt to be a little ruder and so far the people that ask, usually say exactly that, "is he friendly?".

Thanks Mike, this is the first time I've had to raise a "pup" in such close quarters. I'm sure once he's no longer "cute" I won't need to worry, as you say, by that time people will probably ask if he's friendly, & I'll use your "sometimes" (LOVE that).

I use "Sometimes" and more ofter "Not with strangers." That seems to get most people's attention. Yesterday I had a woman ask, "Does she bite?" I was considering a wise-ass answer, but before I could say anything, she was licking her hand! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I use "No" with kids, adults usually know better to avoid me when I tighten the leash when we pass by with my dogs, and if an adult with a kid comes asking permission for their kids/furkids ("Can she play with your dog?") I explain that my dogs don't know their own strength and are very rowdy and can easily hurt someone unintentionally. If they don't believe me I just show them a cut or a bruise I've gotten...believe me I get lots...and then they run the other way.

So what I'm getting is, be careful with strangers playing with your dog (which I have no problem with, people can be real idiots sometimes. Like going up and barking right in a giant dog's face. I mean, come on, really, how stupid can you get?)

But outside of that, I'm basically hearing that if you're raising a dog to be a pet, that it's really OK to let your brother and sister and friends who come over play with him.

Am I understanding correctly?

Thanks for all y'alls help!!! (I'm from Texas, can you tell? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I don't have a problem with my dog being friendly with anyone in my family or close friends. Even if my uncle stays with me once a year he can pet the dog if he wants.

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But outside of that, I'm basically hearing that if you're raising a dog to be a pet, that it's really OK to let your brother and sister and friends who come over play with him.

what you should be hearing is that it depends on your dog. hopefully, since you want a pet, you will get a dog with a lovable pet temperament who loves everybody. but, you may not. dogs are individuals, and within every breed there are dogs who love everybody and dogs who do not like interacting with people outside their pack.

you will have to wait and find out which you have. if your dog enjoys people, let him enjoy! but if he's merely tolerating them, then ask people to not pet your dog. there is no point in putting him through what is, to him, stressful.

as for the questions on the street, you'd be amazed at how many people want to pet and interact with my powerhouse of a mastiff. i think he's a really intimidating looking dog, but complete strangers come running out of their houses or stop their cars when we are out walking, asking to pet him.

he does not like it! not one little bit! he hates attention focused on him from people he doesn't know. he will put up with petting, but his tail is down. he is not having fun.

but, i don't want to add to his socialization issues by making people afraid of him. he doesn't need them recoiling in fear, either.

so, i have a range of responses:

"he's in training right now, so no, you can't pet him."
"he doesn't enjoy being petted by strangers."
"he's not interested in people he doesn't know."
"he's shy"
etc.

i find the first one usually works best, depending on the situation. people will then stand back, and respect the fact that the dog is in training. but they won't give off vibes of terror.

with the other replies, sometimes you get the obnoxious and insistent "but all dogs LOVE me!" and they insist on petting him anyway.

with folks like that, the only answer is to just say "no" and step in between them and your dog, if necessary!

Sounds like good responses. I was considering that, if I got a dog like that, buying the vest that says "Dog in Training, DO NOT PET" and making him wear it everywhere. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> People tend to be okay with that.

Thanks for all your help!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />