I pet a dog today for the first time in 6 months

[Anonymous]

We moved to a different state where everything is kind of new and today I actually pet a dog, a gorgeous golden retriever in my neighborhood. Most of the dogs are kept on a tight leash and /or are reactive so this was a welcome first!

[Anonymous]

I go for walks every day in my city and any time I see a cute dog that looks happy and smiles at me I ask the owner "Can I pet your dog/say hi to your dog?" Almost everyone will say yes. It makes me SO happy!

[Anonymous]

My dog is kept on a tight leash because he's reactive to other dogs, not you. He loves you. You can always ask to pet him.

[Anonymous]

I have a large, but extremely docile, chill dog. I keep him on a short leash when we’re approaching others as a courtesy, in case other pedestrians dislike dogs, are afraid of dogs, are allergic to dogs, are in a hurry, are walking a reactive dog, etc. I want joggers and bicyclists to feel confident that I have control over my dog and that he won’t dart in front of them or lunge at them. I wonder sometimes if my choking up on the leash is actually having the opposite effect, though; maybe I’m making people think my dog is aggressive and I’m doing it for their safety? A couple people have turned around and gone the other way or crossed the street when they saw us.

My dog absolutely LOVES it when people speak to him and pet him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We moved to a different state where everything is kind of new and today I actually pet a dog, a gorgeous golden retriever in my neighborhood. Most of the dogs are kept on a tight leash and /or are reactive so this was a welcome first!

I miss petting dogs!! In the city most people stay to themselves walking their dogs so not too approchable. Where did you move to op?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We moved to a different state where everything is kind of new and today I actually pet a dog, a gorgeous golden retriever in my neighborhood. Most of the dogs are kept on a tight leash and /or are reactive so this was a welcome first!

I miss petting dogs!! In the city most people stay to themselves walking their dogs so not too approchable. Where did you move to op?

I have two Goldens in the city that are absolute love bugs. I keep them on a shorter leash basically because I think part of being a good dog owner is assuming people do not want to interact with your dog. But if you smile/wave/coo? I'll give the release, "go say hi!" and you will receive all the (calm, super sweet) puppy love. I love being asked to pet my dogs and the dogs do too. It makes their day and several of the petters have told me it makes their day as well!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We moved to a different state where everything is kind of new and today I actually pet a dog, a gorgeous golden retriever in my neighborhood. Most of the dogs are kept on a tight leash and /or are reactive so this was a welcome first!

I miss petting dogs!! In the city most people stay to themselves walking their dogs so not too approchable. Where did you move to op?

I'm in a suburb of Los Angeles. Formerly Bethesda.