Petting dogs without asking

[Renee750il]

Doesn't happen too often . . . hmmm . . . . wonder why?

Every now and then we get the odd idiot who barges up, assuring me that "oh, ALL dogs love me!" Guess what?

Most people are fascinated with Kharma, but they are pretty circumspect about approaching her and she doesn't seem to inspire much baby talk. Bimmer . . . well, you don't usually see him unless he wants to be seen, and if he shows himself it's pretty obvious if he's decided you're okay or that you need to leave.

 

[Dekka]

the JRTs get aproached a fair bit. But people are surprisingly respectful of JRTs. None of mine are likely to care except Zo. Actually it would make Kaiden's day if some human rushed up and paid attention to him..He actually prefers strangers-odd dog.

But the whippet pups are something else. I have never had dogs that were such people magnets before! People are rushing up to bounce all the time. Now she gives them the 'eye' and wags with her whole body as soon as they make eye contact, its pretty clear she wants them to engage. But both can be excitement pee-ers, and jump up, so I like to have them in a sit when people go to touch them..but as been mentioned if they don't ask weelll its not my fault if they get sprinkled

 

[Southpaw]

I guess I don't take my dogs to enough public places to really even have experience with it, but I don't mind if people pet them without asking. If I wasn't sure how the dogs would react that would be one thing, but they don't mind and just stand there anyway. If people want to pet my dogs... I have no issue.
They just get warned that Molly has smelly breath, and she WILL lick.

I'm guilty of petting without asking. If I'm standing in line at the pet store, and there's a dog sitting behind me or something, I'll give it a quick pet. Oops?

 

[CelticxConnections]

I've only had one or two people not ask to pet Baron or Duke. I think they both have a look to them that just makes people feel the need to double check about petting, Baron in particular.

Gimli is another story though. People just can't seem to get it throught their heads that he isn't like a big dog when it comes to petting him. They have to loom over him and try to pet his head. This normally results in him dashing away and he has growled a few times to this. I can't say I blame him either.

 

[bubbatd]

It's never bothered me , but I let the kids and parents know that all dogs aren't friendly and they should ask . Being brought up with Goldens , I taught my kids early on that they can't expect all dogs to be kid friendly .

 

[Whisper]

YES! Like, Grace, I have a service dog and it drives me up a friggin' wall. People run up and pet her, do that walk-by-and-pat-really-quickly-thing, squeal at her, and almost never ask. She's in a vest, she has two patches that say "Please don't pet me, I'm working," and two others that say "service dog" and "in training." I guess that's not enough?
I'm so pleased when people actually ask. Sometimes I'll put her in a sit-stay and let them pet her when they are polite and calm around her. Unfortunately, that's about 10% or less of people I encounter.
I always carry the ADA business brief with me for access challenges that arise, and I recently made a flyer with a little info about Millie since people ask, and lists proper ettiquite around service dogs and explains why not to pet them without asking, that the answer may be "no" anyway, and things like that.