Went to a privately owned dog food supplier yesterday to get Nature's Variety Raw, didn't take my dog because of the store owner's loose dog who barks at and smells every dog that comes in. There was a baby pit bull about 3 mos old at the end of his owner's leash. Owner wasn't watching the pup at all while standing at the checkout line. A lady bent down and just about smothered that puppy with fondling and loud talk and after about a minute of this, turned to the owner and said "oh sorry, he's just so cute" (one of those "I'm going to do what I'm going to do with your puppy no matter what you think" type people). The owner was obviously not comfortable with it yet said it's ok, but hey, he wasn't watching his pup and the pup should have been in his arms. Another gal picked up the puppy (!) without asking, swooped him right up and held him close, another gal fondled the puppy. It was sheer chaos. I was the only one there who didn't pet the puppy, much as I would have liked to.

The puppy didn't mind, he was all happy and licking everyone.

Owner's first mistake was letting that young puppy walk on the floor in a place where multitudes of other dogs have passed before. 2nd mistake was not having the guts to tell people to back off.

In Robbin's case with the fireman, personally I would have let the fireman pet my dog simply because I would want Lear to have some good interaction with guys in fireman or police uniform in case he ever needs to be rescued by one in an emergency.

 Quote: connie sutherland

I have one who tolerates but does not like strangers touching him. I see it as part of my job not to subject him to it unnecessarily.

I do like to do "P.R." for the breed.

Excellent Points!

Your first describes my Kira to a "T".

Also, re: doing "P.R."...An important point I like to make...I don't think this means I need to allow people to pet my dogs. It does mean that my dogs should be well behaved in public and project positive connotations.

I've found there are three types of people:

1. Those who look at me like I'm breaking 52 laws because I'm walking my dogs in public.
2. Those who respect my well-behaved dogs and compliment me on their behavior, but allow the dogs to approach them on the dog's terms.
3. And finally...those who throw themselves at the dogs as if they have no sense.

I love #2 people

I want Fred Sociable towards People and he is because he is around people a lot at the Dog Clubs as well as when i take him in the City, but i do not need every Tom, Dick and Harry petting him. as far as i am concerned the only one who needs to give him a fuss is me, He is a working Dog and ScHh work is what he will do,