To dog owners (again): I don't want your dog to touch me.

[Anonymous]

Look, everyone in my neighborhood has a young dog. I have PTSD, was triggered by a recent abuse event, and I do not want to be approached right now. A large dog broke my cheek in 2019. My XH tried to kill me a couple of times. Sometimes, I just want to get a coffee. I am allowed to be a human, too.

Thank you for walking your dogs. Know that some adults don't want your dogs to come up to them. I give clear physical and hand signals that it is not okay. Make sure to understand that some people cannot handle this. It is might right to walk in the neighborhood, too.

[Anonymous]

I’ll be sure to take note of this next time I pass you on the sidewalk.

[Anonymous]

I understand OP I feel the same way and some jerk in Alexandria didn't realize my posture or even care and still let his dog touch me. The dog owners around here are real pieces of work.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should wear a special shirt that says that so the dogs can read it and stay away.

[Anonymous]

We’re are you walking that dogs approach you often? Like on a city street?

[Anonymous]

Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

DP. NO. You and your dog do NOT have the right to physically. touch a human being without permission. It is YOUR job as the owner to keep your dog from teaching other people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

DP. NO. You and your dog do NOT have the right to physically. touch a human being without permission. It is YOUR job as the owner to keep your dog from teaching other people.

The pp has a point though. OP is hyper aware of dogs due to trauma and needs treatment. OP I am sure it is very hard to go through. Good luck to you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

I managed to own a dog for 15 years, living in an apartment in urban areas, without him touching a single person on our walk who didn't specifically ask to pet him. Most people do not find a strange dog they don't know touching them without a clear affirmative consent "pleasant and fulfilling". They find it invasive. The fact that you think that's "extreme hypersensitivity" is bizarre.

There is middle ground here. I am a dog owner. I absolutely hate off-leash dogs, and I never intentionally bring my dog to someone without them expressly inviting it. But also if you're walking on a city sidewalk, my dog might turn around to sniff you and might even boop you with his snout because there just isn't a lot of room to pass and my dog isn't perfect. The interaction won't be long because I keep his leash very short when we pass someone, but I can't guarantee perfect.

[Anonymous]

NP here and I just don’t really like being touched by dogs. A puppy came up to me during a walk after escaping from home. When I’m at stores, there are often dogs in line. I’m not afraid, I’d just rather not get sniffed or pawed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly this is something YOU have to get over. You are clearly not well mentally and while I feel sorry for your history, you do live in a society where people have pets and children, etc and there will be interactions with them. Most mentally healthy people find these interactions pleasant and fulfilling even, but clearly you do not. That is not typical and the world should not be required to adjust to your extreme hypersensitivity. Try meds, therapy or consider in patient treatment. I wish you well

Shut up!

[Anonymous]

I have a dog that I’m absolutely obsessed with. He rarely touches anyone and I’m not clear on situations where there is so much accidental touching. I’m a dog nut, but still not nutty enough to think people want him touching them without an invitation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a dog that I’m absolutely obsessed with. He rarely touches anyone and I’m not clear on situations where there is so much accidental touching. I’m a dog nut, but still not nutty enough to think people want him touching them without an invitation.

Do you live in an urban, walkable neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses. I am in Montgomery County. I think the weather has been nice, and folks are walking around with extended leashes in pleasant conversation. This while not realizing their pets are coming close to strangers. I stay away, I will cross the street, and I will give clear signals. Still, if a human touched me, it is 2nd degree assault. Unwanted touching is not acceptable.

I am the ex-wife of an AF veteran who is now in a powerful gov position. I had to deal with his BS. I do not want to deal with your dog. I want to get a coffee and get to work.

Thanks to the dog owners who realize not all humans want to be approached by dogs.