Christopher, this is an EXCELLENT idea!

I carry little slips of paper with the LB web address, but you have gone a huge step beyond that. And you forestall the natural defensiveness, etc., that they would have if told verbally what morons they were.

Christopher
I love the card!

Connie, I can't believe you just called people "morons" (snickers behind my hand).

I do have to brag on my child in regards to approaching dogs:
I have trained both my kids (6 and 9) not to touch dogs that are not ours, and not to play like squealing prey items around dogs that are not our own. We have plenty of learning opportunities with the ill-behaved dogs that come to the vet's office and the very focused stock dogs at the neighbors' farms.
A few days ago I was talking to the owner of a rather timid, defensive dog (always with the owner and closely supervised) who frequents the barn where I give riding lessons. She told me that her dog politely approached my 6 year old daughter who then turned her head to the dog and said "Do you want me to pet you?" The dog just looked at her, so Marie did nothing and went about her play. The dog again politely approached Marie, who again asked "Do you want me to pet you?". The dog wagged her tail. Marie said: "If you bark at me I won't pet you." Dog wags tail and sits down. Marie reached under the dog's chin and gave her a little scritch, then left her alone and went about her play. Then the dog very happily followed her around the yard while Marie ignored her. I'm proud of my daughter and also the progress the dog has made in the last year.

This is the child who on her own uses the same Syn Alia training techniques she has seen me use with the three year old mini horse colt we are starting under saddle (Marie saddles and rides him, I walk along and hold the lead line).

Christopher

you are amazing! Do you mind horribly if I make my own card with that same text? Your card gets right the point in a rather polite (but direct) manner, I'm not sure if I could rewrite that with the same effect...and I love the idea of not having to tell them off verbally, which solves a lot of the aggressive parental behavior issues you get by actually talking to them. I also love that Leerburg article, it's the perfect article to send people too.

RE: The card

Hey, steal this idea!

Please everyone feel free to use this!

Christopher Walter