Mr. Scott,

In almost every case I agree with your advice and opinion. That noted, in re your observation

"It's your dog an your personal space if he's close enough to pet you dog.
It's NOT your responsibility to warn people of their lack of common sense."

Where I live, in the great state of new york, you are responsible for the conduct of your dog, regardless of the level of common sense evidenced by another person.

It is in that context that I have a zero tolerance for anyone who would insert themselves into my mutts' world absent my approval. And I have zero tolerance for people who would take license with my patience, in fact I rather enjoy correcting such a maladroit.

In the great state of new york, you really have to protect your dog from such people because the unintended consequences fall on the back of the dog and your wallet.

The old saw that goes something like 'I don't expect much of people and am seldom disappointed' really applies to the occasional dullard who lacks even a modicum of consideration.

I'm too old to indulge a jerk, and I care too much for my mutts. It's an easy choice for me to pick my mutt over some self entitled blow hard. Then too, I like to tilt with windmills.

i am going to use the words " maladroit " and " dullard " in my conversations today , and in the future .

thanks for expanding my lexicon mike .

Mike, dollars to donuts the prick in the original post wouldn't have been quite so 'forthright' with a man and his dog. They usually are overcompensating for something.

 Quote: ian bunbury

i

your body language can usually deflect a lot of unwanted attention , and i'm usually on the move as soon as i sense someone coming up to play with the dog .

.

Same here, and like Connie and others said, I don't make conversation. It sounds like you may have been on your phone. When we tinker with technology, our awareness of what is going on is reduced, the "dullards" are upon us .

Sounds like he was a real tool.

Wait until you are old and grey. Then WAY less fellas want to fool with your dog!

working at an animal shelter ive seen too many dogs pay for their owners ignorance, which is why im pretty uptight about anyone touching my dog. Or maybe it extends from my hatred of people touching me.

Betty that's funny coz one time this hipster guy had his little dog off leash and I could just tell he was coming over to try to be charming. his dog starts biting my dogs heels and I kick his stupid dog and ream him out and apparently I should have a yellow ribbon on my leash. I was like I don't need a yellow ribbon for my friendly dogs who would rather not be attacked. Keep your dog on a leash dummy. He at least didn't get in my face or scream. im not always mean, I don't say anything if the dogs friendly, I just feel bad for the dog coz hes gunna get from some other dog one day

Mike, there is no conflict on what we both agree on. I also agree that we should each be responsible for controlling our own dog. I do that! There are very few people on the street that I would let pet my dogs, one dog in particular.
The laws, unfortunately don't always protect those making the effort to control their dogs.
It was once said that if someone really wanted to do harm to another person then it would happen in spite of efforts made to avoid it.
If someone is really intent on petty my dogs when I'm with them I can only control my dogs and, if needed stop that person from getting bit. I'll ask, tell, get rude and use whatever means necessary.
I wont keep my dogs locked up to avoid those idiots even with all the "protect the idiot laws".

Mr. Scott,

Concur.

There are times I've had to grit my teeth in the face of such unmitigated dumbness, as demonstrated by some sap who never learned what the word 'no' means.

In truth, my dogs demonstrate more self control than too many adult humans. And God spare me the persistent and obnoxious parent that wants to use one of my mutts to acquaint their precious little rug rat with a big dog. Arrrrgggghhh!

Fortunately, I am a curmudgeon by nature, though I like to characterize my demeanor as blunt and to the point rather than rude but who's kidding who?

To loosely quote Charles M. Schulz, 'I love mankind, its people I can't stand.'

Or Paulo Coelho, 'Don't waste your time with explanations, people only hear what they want to hear.'

Or Jarod Kintz, 'One of my main regrets in life is giving considerable thought to inconsiderate people.'

Thoughts curmudgeons consider truths.

A good day to you, sir.

 Quote: ian bunbury

.... your body language can usually deflect a lot of unwanted attention , and i'm usually on the move as soon as i sense someone coming up to play with the dog .

Yes, this is my number one deflection tool. This makes it all very simple (almost always).




PS
And as Tammy mentioned, I'm not using my cellphone or listening to music when the dogs are with me.

Hi Cat,

Is your dog a young Malamute or Malinois? When you said that people ask, "A Mala-WHAT", those were the breed names that came to mind...

My Akita bitch is WAY people-friendly, which I have always encouraged for personal reasons, so other folks are Allowed To pet her at MY DISCRETION -- But if some EFFING megalomaniac went off on me out-of-the-blue, then Shaka would take INSTANT OFFENSE at their Hostile Behavior and she would switch to automatic BARK & HOLD mode in the Twinkling of an Eye...

Anyway, you might like to check out Service Dog Vests in an online search -- I've seen every imaginable variety for sale, even "ESA" (Emotional Support Animal) complete with a velcro pocket for the accompanying wallet containing your individual pet's "official ID papers" as a Working Service Dog ... BTW, this is apparently something of a "black market cottage industry" that requires No Verification of ANY specialized training for the dog, FYI.

In your case, it would just be Another VISUAL Deferent to Deflect UNWANTED Attention away from your dog & yourself