PSA: please do not approach dogs and try to pet them without consulting their owners

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To add a little positivity to this thread, I just walked my dog right as our elementary school was dismissing. Every kid who wanted to pet my dog asked first. One started to reach and then asked first. Well done, kids!

That sounds pretty negative to me. If you think your dog will bite children, don't walk past a school at dismissal. Why is that so hard to understand?

PP here. I don't think my dog will bite children, nor has he ever bitten anyone. Considering I myself have elementary aged kids, I would not have a dog who I think might bite. I thought it was a positive thing that children who wanted to pet him ASKED first, as anyone (adult or kid) who wants to pet a dog should. Why is THAT so hard for YOU to understand??

[Anonymous]

I have a friendly dog, but the amount of children that come running up to his face with their hands sticking out while the parents are completely ignore the child is mind blowing. Sometimes they come from behind and out of nowhere, too. Parents - if you expect people to control their dogs then you need to control your children too. That way, all is fine. Also, no dog owner needs to cater to you or your child wanting to pet a cute dog.

[Anonymous]

I tell kids it’s ok to pet my dogs but not pick up. Maybe 1% don’t listen despite being repeatedly told (they behave the same in their class and are “that kid”) and will try to pick them up. The second I see it I intervene and walk away with dogs in my arms. If my dogs bit as a last resort it would be all my fault!! I am an aware person who knows that there are people in the world who have trouble listening and/or following directions and it’s up to me to keep the interaction positive or physically end it myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friendly dog, but the amount of children that come running up to his face with their hands sticking out while the parents are completely ignore the child is mind blowing. Sometimes they come from behind and out of nowhere, too. Parents - if you expect people to control their dogs then you need to control your children too. That way, all is fine. Also, no dog owner needs to cater to you or your child wanting to pet a cute dog.

You pretty much do have to cater to the public by keeping your dangerous dog away from them. How dare you take your dog to an area filled with parents and kids. Let me guess this is at school drop offs, the playground or soccer practice? Leave the dog at home and get a clue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a friendly dog, but the amount of children that come running up to his face with their hands sticking out while the parents are completely ignore the child is mind blowing. Sometimes they come from behind and out of nowhere, too. Parents - if you expect people to control their dogs then you need to control your children too. That way, all is fine. Also, no dog owner needs to cater to you or your child wanting to pet a cute dog.

You pretty much do have to cater to the public by keeping your dangerous dog away from them. How dare you take your dog to an area filled with parents and kids. Let me guess this is at school drop offs, the playground or soccer practice? Leave the dog at home and get a clue.

NP here. Do you have reading comprehension issues? I didn't realize "friendly dog" = "dangerous dog" You sound exactly like one of those parents who let their kids run up to a dog and stick their hands in the dog's face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I tell kids it’s ok to pet my dogs but not pick up. Maybe 1% don’t listen despite being repeatedly told (they behave the same in their class and are “that kid”) and will try to pick them up. The second I see it I intervene and walk away with dogs in my arms. If my dogs bit as a last resort it would be all my fault!! I am an aware person who knows that there are people in the world who have trouble listening and/or following directions and it’s up to me to keep the interaction positive or physically end it myself.

Thank you for being responsible. If only all dog owners were like you.

[Anonymous]

The reality is that I’ve noticed more dogs sniffing, jumping, licking passerby’s than random petters. I walk on a bike path every day and lab owners especially are oblivious to their dogs randomly licking pretty much anyone walking past them. I have a dog and she doesn’t jump
up, lick, beg. Dogs aren’t second class citizens-they’re animals we humans need to control

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a friendly dog, but the amount of children that come running up to his face with their hands sticking out while the parents are completely ignore the child is mind blowing. Sometimes they come from behind and out of nowhere, too. Parents - if you expect people to control their dogs then you need to control your children too. That way, all is fine. Also, no dog owner needs to cater to you or your child wanting to pet a cute dog.

You pretty much do have to cater to the public by keeping your dangerous dog away from them. How dare you take your dog to an area filled with parents and kids. Let me guess this is at school drop offs, the playground or soccer practice? Leave the dog at home and get a clue.

NP here. Do you have reading comprehension issues? I didn't realize "friendly dog" = "dangerous dog" You sound exactly like one of those parents who let their kids run up to a dog and stick their hands in the dog's face.

Well dogs don't equal children, either. Despite your excuse of not controlling your dog by saying "parents also need to control their kids!" Kids at some point need to learn independence, autonomous decision making, etc whereas dogs do not.

[Anonymous]

Actually I feel the opposite. Please get your dog out of my personal space!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually I feel the opposite. Please get your dog out of my personal space!

+1 gazillion
Signed,
-Someone who got bit by a dog in her own apartment building just coming out of the elevator. Unprovoked.

[Anonymous]

I agree that kids/people should be taught to ask before petting dogs, but this isn't common knowledge for everyone and dog owners can't expect that people will know this and act accordingly. As the owner of the dog, you are responsible for the situation you put your dog in and if you know your dog doesn't like people or finds them stressful or you don't want people approaching your dog, don't go places where you can't avoid encounters with other people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reality is that I’ve noticed more dogs sniffing, jumping, licking passerby’s than random petters. I walk on a bike path every day and lab owners especially are oblivious to their dogs randomly licking pretty much anyone walking past them. I have a dog and she doesn’t jump
up, lick, beg. Dogs aren’t second class citizens-they’re animals we humans need to control

Yup.
And don't tell my kids that your dog doesn't bite.
All dogs bite. They're dogs.

[Anonymous]

Animals (all animals) have a degree of unpredictability and are capable of biting under the right circumstances. How many of cases of "the dog has never bitten anyone" then suddenly gets startled feels threatened and bites?

It's really important both for the sake of the person and sake of the dog that people do not approach strange dogs without permission and advance warning.

Some of these answers surprise me. When I am on walks, even four year old children do not run up to my dog without permission. They ask and I always say "no" and compliment them on how smart and well mannered they are for asking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Animals (all animals) have a degree of unpredictability and are capable of biting under the right circumstances. How many of cases of "the dog has never bitten anyone" then suddenly gets startled feels threatened and bites?

It's really important both for the sake of the person and sake of the dog that people do not approach strange dogs without permission and advance warning.

Some of these answers surprise me. When I am on walks, even four year old children do not run up to my dog without permission. They ask and I always say "no" and compliment them on how smart and well mannered they are for asking.

Kids usually ask before petting our dog. But I do think the problem is on the dog owner's end. People seem to have forgotten why we have pets. I see no reason to have or keep a problematic dog that after years of love will bite a stranger or anyone badly enough to break the skin, let alone require significant medical attention.

Why do people want these crazy dangerous pets?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Animals (all animals) have a degree of unpredictability and are capable of biting under the right circumstances. How many of cases of "the dog has never bitten anyone" then suddenly gets startled feels threatened and bites?

It's really important both for the sake of the person and sake of the dog that people do not approach strange dogs without permission and advance warning.

Some of these answers surprise me. When I am on walks, even four year old children do not run up to my dog without permission. They ask and I always say "no" and compliment them on how smart and well mannered they are for asking.

Kids usually ask before petting our dog. But I do think the problem is on the dog owner's end. People seem to have forgotten why we have pets. I see no reason to have or keep a problematic dog that after years of love will bite a stranger or anyone badly enough to break the skin, let alone require significant medical attention.

Why do people want these crazy dangerous pets?

pp here- most dogs aren't crazy/dangerous, and I agree with you there. A dangerous, aggressive dog is not appropriate to have as a pet....but I think *people* anthropomorphize dogs and forget that they are animals, with animal instincts, and will respond as such under the right circumstances.