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

[Anonymous]

Psa: No one cares about your substitute dog/child

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree 100%. We had to put down our beloved dog because of this. A strange man suddenly reach down to pet our dog and our dog bit his hand in self defense. The man then threatened to sue us. It was heartbreaking and I wish he would have just asked if he could pet him and I would have said no because my dog was a rescue and had always been afraid of men he didn’t know.

OP here. This is heartbreaking and my worst nightmare. I am so sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree 100%. We had to put down our beloved dog because of this. A strange man suddenly reach down to pet our dog and our dog bit his hand in self defense. The man then threatened to sue us. It was heartbreaking and I wish he would have just asked if he could pet him and I would have said no because my dog was a rescue and had always been afraid of men he didn’t know.

OP here. This is heartbreaking and my worst nightmare. I am so sorry.

Thank you. It was very difficult. I nursed him back to health as a young dog and had him for a wonderful 10 years. It was a really sad time for me and my husband.

[Anonymous]

This is my big fear. My youngest loves dogs so I’ve taught her to ask the dog’s “mommy or daddy” if she can pet a dog. Usually she gets yeses but she has gotten no’s.

[Anonymous]

OP this sounds difficult and I am sorry. However, many people are not dog people or not knowledgeable about dogs--including basically all small children. You cannot change the nature of how people interact with dogs by posting a PSA on DCUM. You are going to need to be very vigilant about affirmatively telling people who look like they might approach your dog to stay away from him, if the dog is not safe around people. Or you may have to only walk the dog at times and places when you are less likely to interact with other people.

[Anonymous]

Op, what about a muzzle? People tend to stay away from a dog with a muzzle.

That way even if some dumb ass does still approach, your dog can't bite.

Our dog won't wear one, she panics. But is it worth a try?

[Anonymous]

Agree 100%!!! We were just talking about this as well. Took our dog to a long walk today and he does not like other dogs or kids. And of course, several small kids come running to pet him and parents never ask or try to stop them. People have to realize that this is very ride!!!
Sorry to the family who have to put down their dog. That is horrible!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had to say that I am training my dog, please do not approach. I have to be very direct and tell people not to come close. I also avoid people by moving to the other side of the road or move to the grass and let them pass. Basically, I make myself and my dog unapproachable. I have no problems telling people to back off in a firm and polite way.

We've met a ton of professional dog trainers who go our of their way to make sure they interact with my child. So there's all sort of training techniques out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, what about a muzzle? People tend to stay away from a dog with a muzzle.

That way even if some dumb ass does still approach, your dog can't bite.

Our dog won't wear one, she panics. But is it worth a try?

We’re doing clicker training (click and treat whenever she sees a person) so not possible.

[Anonymous]

No, OP. If you have a dog that bites, it should not be in public without a muzzle. Certainly not out on city sidewalks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, what about a muzzle? People tend to stay away from a dog with a muzzle.

That way even if some dumb ass does still approach, your dog can't bite.

Our dog won't wear one, she panics. But is it worth a try?

We’re doing clicker training (click and treat whenever she sees a person) so not possible.

your dog should not be in public

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have had to say that I am training my dog, please do not approach. I have to be very direct and tell people not to come close. I also avoid people by moving to the other side of the road or move to the grass and let them pass. Basically, I make myself and my dog unapproachable. I have no problems telling people to back off in a firm and polite way.

We've met a ton of professional dog trainers who go our of their way to make sure they interact with my child. So there's all sort of training techniques out there.

Absolutely, but they are going out of their way to interact with you. I'm sure if they ask you not to approach or pet you wouldn't.

In my case my dog was abused and is fearful of strangers so we are working with to desensitize her to seeing strangers and reacting. Hopefully one day she'll get to the point where we are seeking people out for petting. It's a slow process but we are getting there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, what about a muzzle? People tend to stay away from a dog with a muzzle.

That way even if some dumb ass does still approach, your dog can't bite.

Our dog won't wear one, she panics. But is it worth a try?

We’re doing clicker training (click and treat whenever she sees a person) so not possible.

your dog should not be in public

Are you suggesting that all dogs that do not love people should be put down rather than trying to rehabilitate them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, what about a muzzle? People tend to stay away from a dog with a muzzle.

That way even if some dumb ass does still approach, your dog can't bite.

Our dog won't wear one, she panics. But is it worth a try?

We’re doing clicker training (click and treat whenever she sees a person) so not possible.

your dog should not be in public

Are you suggesting that all dogs that do not love people should be put down rather than trying to rehabilitate them?

I’m not that poster but I would say that they should not be around people until they can control themselves.

[Anonymous]

No one cares about your freaking crazy dog. Get it together.