Hi everybody first post and just want to say what a great web site. very lucky to have all this information when you need it.
It has helped me to know my dog better and to train him the way all dogs should behave.

I've been lucky with my dog he is very smart and easy to train, it does make you feel good when you see that he obeys me even with distraction, something I've been working on real hard.

But even though he is still a pup at 9 months old I have a question for all. When we are walking, I live in a small town people sometimes want to pat your dog. I've had people ask if it is alright and sometimes I do not allow them to. They look at me like I'm a freak!

He is very social when I allow it, but how do you tell someone in a nice way not to pat him, I've said he is in training and that works but sometimes I just feel like a jerk if I tell them no.

I think there is at least one very fun and creative thread on this topic, not sure where though.

I just tell people that my dog doesn't like to be petted.

YOUR dog...YOUR rules.

 Quote: Anne Jones

YOUR dog...YOUR rules.

Yep that's right! I don't like people touch and pet my dog unless ask. Not all my dogs like being petted by strangers.

I have the same problem. I'm very cautious about this. It wasn't about a month ago that I had a stranger walking down my alley. My dog was going nuts. What does the dumbass try to do. Reach over the fence and pet her. Luckly he pulled his hand away in time so Meeka didn't get him. I then hung signs. My dog isn't agreesive, jsut protecting her home turf.
I have a hard time with this petting thing also. Most people take it fine when I tell them she is in training. My in laws dont listen to anything I say. thats a diffrent topic im about to post. I think once you do it several times you will get more compfortable with doing it.

You should read the book The Gift of Fear. It is about people but after you read it you will have NO problems whatsoever telling people what you need in order to take care of your dog. They usually have it in libraries. I don't agree with absolutely everything the guy says but when you pick out the bones it's an unbelievable read that will free you from any guilt you might have about protecting your dog and your loved ones for the rest of your life.

Lenka, who wrote that book? I'd like to read it, sounds interesting...
TIA
(ETA: never mind, I just ordered it from Amazon - lol, addicted to books, I guess)

Let me know what you think! Glad you were able to find it.

I just ordered it to my Kindle...now to find time to read it!

I have read similar posts to this on here before, and I agree, people really shouldn't touch your dog without permission, and mostly there is no need to, the slight dilema I have is because of the hysteria surrounding bull breeds here and in parts of Europe, the collective 'we' are asked to remember what we have on the end of the lead, and ensure the dogs are socialised early on, so that if they are approached, (though not necessarily patted), they are going to be good ambassadors for the breed, and not lunge, mouth, or show any type of aggression, alot of Boerboel owners do work their dogs, mostly as herding and guarding stock, plus as deterrents on the ranches in SA against rustlers and bandits, I got mine as a fortysomething woman now living alone, so while I prefer not to speak or be spoken to on walks, I am aware of the danger of giving the impression that I have guard dogs, purely because of the aforementioned hysteria around large guardian breeds, so if people, especially with children ask if they are friendly, which they are if I'm not giving off the vibe I feel threatened, I admit I will make the dogs sit and let the people ask questions, which they tend to do because the breed is so unusual in the UK, like I say, it is a bit of a dilema for me.

Tracey