Yellow Ribbons Dogs--Please Do not approach the dog...

[Anonymous]

I hope we can have a some what sane discussion of the topic of approaching strange dogs when they are on leash.
There is a proposal to put yellow ribbons on dogs that need their space because they are:

-a puppy in training learning to stay calm in large groups
-a dog that is skittish or fearful, but the owner is trying to de-sensitize it to large groups
-a dog that is "dog aggressive" that is, it is aggressive to other dogs only, so should not be approached by other dogs.

http://news.petmeds.com/article/view/id/800863748/n/obey-the-yellow-ribbon

I have a really unusually cute jack russell terrier puppy (10 months old). She is white with a brown spot and a black spot on her back. She has a shaggy soft beard on her muzzle. She is incredibly excitable. She will pee and then dart around in circles and lunge and lick. It is just amazing and AWFUL how often people invade our space and rush up to pet her. They will sometimes ask to pet her and when I say "no, she's really to excitable, they pet her anyway. THEY GET DOWN ON THEIR KNEES AND PUT THEIR FACES RIGHT INTO HERS AND SHE GOES INTO A ZIPPY, ZOOMY FRENZY. I stand off to the side in groups to try to ease her into it slowly. I am trying to teach her to be calm and observe groups of people without lunging into strangers faces and jumping on them. Terriers are SNAPPY sometimes. And generally just over excitable. If they are over-excited, they will sometimes nip. She has never bitten anyone! I guess I am asking:
Would people ever consider giving an overly excitable dog her space and just please stop swarming her? If I don't bring her to public places, she will never learn to be calm...I am not a crazy dog person who thinks that dogs have the right to be everywhere--but, how do folks feel about the yellow ribbon concept? Could you spread the word to your kids and neighbors that dogs with yellow ribbons tied on their leashes just need their space?

[Anonymous]

We have a chihuahua who is fearful of strangers. My husband immediately picks the dog up and will block them with his body if necessary.

[Anonymous]

All dogs need their space, no matter their temperament. People need to teach their children and themselves, to not pet strangers dogs. You wouldn't go up petting some random kid so don't do it to animals. With that said, I don't care about a ribbon and think its just silly. People don't walk around with ribbons on symbolizing how they are antisocial. If they did, I would wear one.

[Anonymous]

I never trust dogs. We have worked hard to instruct our kids never to approach a dog unless 1) myself or DH is with them; and 2) we ask the owner first (from a safe distance) and receive an affirmative reply. And then, DCs put one hand palm-up close (but not too close) to the dog's nose so that the dog can check us out. Then, DCs can pet the dog on the neck/upper back area only if the owner has said it's okay. We also instruct our DCs to always stay in a position in which the dog can see you, closer to his front half than to his rear end, so that he doesn't get startled.

[Anonymous]

I have a 75 lb Pitt/American bulldog mix (beast of a dog) and people let their toddlers run up to her all the time, try to pet her, lean their faces in, etc. And she's a scary looking dog! Wtf is wrong with people. So many Darwin awards waiting to happen.

[Anonymous]

OP, how "awful" for you that people respond positively to your puppy.

Jack Russels are a HYPER breed--adorable, but HYPER. If you're concerned about your puppy, keep it away from crowds until they have matured. Otherwise people will assume that your dog is properly trained. They should always ask before petting your dog, doesn't always happen. This is on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I never trust dogs. We have worked hard to instruct our kids never to approach a dog unless 1) myself or DH is with them; and 2) we ask the owner first (from a safe distance) and receive an affirmative reply. And then, DCs put one hand palm-up close (but not too close) to the dog's nose so that the dog can check us out. Then, DCs can pet the dog on the neck/upper back area only if the owner has said it's okay. We also instruct our DCs to always stay in a position in which the dog can see you, closer to his front half than to his rear end, so that he doesn't get startled.

This. It applies to any dog. You as the owner have the right (and responsibility) to say no.

Keep in mind, though, that dogs can view hands or faces coming into their faces as aggression or intimidation and may respond in kind. We teach to stand still and let the dog come to them, and then pet.

[Anonymous]

I teach my toddler to ask then approach.

But, I have to say, as a dog owner, it's your responsibility to control and restrain your dog in public. By law.

[Anonymous]

Keep dogs at home and in dog parks. People think they belong in places like shops and restaurants, and they don't. They are animals, not people, and they don't belong in people places. I don't even think they should be out and about on crowded sidewalks, especially if they are "yellow ribbon" dogs. Both the dog and reasonable people will be happy if they are not around others.

Thank goodness some outdoor spaces ban dogs so I can actually let my toddler walk around without worrying a dog will attack her. And no, she never approaches dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All dogs need their space, no matter their temperament. People need to teach their children and themselves, to not pet strangers dogs. You wouldn't go up petting some random kid so don't do it to animals. With that said, I don't care about a ribbon and think its just silly. People don't walk around with ribbons on symbolizing how they are antisocial. If they did, I would wear one.

Yes! I want an antisocial ribbon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I have a really unusually cute jack russell terrier puppy (10 months old). She is white with a brown spot and a black spot on her back. She has a shaggy soft beard on her muzzle. She is incredibly excitable. She will pee and then dart around in circles and lunge and lick. It is just amazing and AWFUL how often people invade our space and rush up to pet her. They will sometimes ask to pet her and when I say "no, she's really to excitable, they pet her anyway. THEY GET DOWN ON THEIR KNEES AND PUT THEIR FACES RIGHT INTO HERS AND SHE GOES INTO A ZIPPY, ZOOMY FRENZY. I stand off to the side in groups to try to ease her into it slowly. I am trying to teach her to be calm and observe groups of people without lunging into strangers faces and jumping on them. Terriers are SNAPPY sometimes. And generally just over excitable. If they are over-excited, they will sometimes nip. She has never bitten anyone! I guess I am asking:
Would people ever consider giving an overly excitable dog her space and just please stop swarming her? If I don't bring her to public places, she will never learn to be calm...I am not a crazy dog person who thinks that dogs have the right to be everywhere--but, how do folks feel about the yellow ribbon concept? Could you spread the word to your kids and neighbors that dogs with yellow ribbons tied on their leashes just need their space?

If you don't bring her to public spaces she will never be calm???? What the hell kind of theory is that? Your dog needs to learn proper training first in your backyard and on the leash. Then bring her to public spaces. The world is not responsible for socializing your dog. Even I, a newbie dog owner, know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All dogs need their space, no matter their temperament. People need to teach their children and themselves, to not pet strangers dogs. You wouldn't go up petting some random kid so don't do it to animals. With that said, I don't care about a ribbon and think its just silly. People don't walk around with ribbons on symbolizing how they are antisocial. If they did, I would wear one.

Yes! I want an antisocial ribbon.

They should have them available on airplane jetways. Or is it just me that ALWAYS gets the talkative seatmates?

[Anonymous]

Socialize your dog in a very small private setting with family and a few friends. It's not the public's responsibility to help you train your dog how YOU want it to go. It's public. It's an adorable dog. People don't stop to think whether it's trained or excitable or not. If you can't do it at home, do it with a professional trainer who works in spaces etc. designed to train the dog.

[Anonymous]

People always ask to pet my dogs. When they ask if they bite my answer is always the same. "She hasn't bitten anyone but she still does have teeth and the abiltiy to bite".

[Anonymous]

My dog is very aggressive to other dogs when out walking with DS & myself. She goes into full "These are MY people and YOU WILL NOT come near them!!!!" protective mode. I'll cross the street to avoid other dogs then those same folks come running after us with "Don't worry my dog is friendly!" That's GREAT - MINE is NOT. She's great in the yard, or at the dog park off leash but on leash - look out!