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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

Dogs are NOT children.

Keep your animals out of human areas if you can't exercise basic pet courtesy.

Dogs have the right to walk outside.

So do people. If you were jumping on, loicking, or sticking your face into people's crotches, no one would be okay with it.

How often does this really happen? I take walks in my neighborhood every single day. I pass dogs on leashes every single day. Most of the time, the dogs aren’t even aware of me.

I can think of a dog encounter just once, about 5 years ago. A larger dog sniffed at my leg while passing.

But the other thousands of days? Absolutely benign.

I used to wait at a bus stop on a pretty busy street and at least once a week.

My oldest kid went through a dog phobia phase (he was fine with specific dogs he knew but not strangers dogs) when he was two to three and people would get straight up offended when my kid didn't want to pet their dog. Like they'd come up to us on the street or at the park and get weird about it.

[Anonymous]

I am the ex-wife of an AF veteran who is now in a powerful gov position.

You think you’re better than me????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Why? What do you think will happen if a dog sniffs you? You'll have less of your expensive perfume on you? Lost to the dog's nose?

New poster here

If the dog’s nose is close enough to touch her when sniffing her, then its mouth is close enough to bite her. You should have your dog sufficiently under control that it doesn’t have the opportunity to do either.

[Anonymous]

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

It would say “ruff ruff ruff 🐶 “

Seriously, animals have no idea what PTSD is…..they simply do not understand that some humans may not want to be approached or touched even.

So if a dog does approach you - try to understand that it is just going on what is organic to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Why? What do you think will happen if a dog sniffs you? You'll have less of your expensive perfume on you? Lost to the dog's nose?

New poster here

If the dog’s nose is close enough to touch her when sniffing her, then its mouth is close enough to bite her. You should have your dog sufficiently under control that it doesn’t have the opportunity to do either.

^^ This is kind of an extreme thought process.

[Anonymous]

I never let my dog accidentally touch anyone. It’s weird how many people are saying get over it! Keep your dog close.

[Anonymous]

NP.

Folks, I don't know your dog. I don't know you. All I know is that some dogs bite and can be aggressive (I've had two good friends get dog bites in the last year in DC, one of whom was bitten while walking her own dog). So if I walk past a dog on the street, I have to assume it might bite me. That means leaving some space.

If a sidewalk is so crowded that I can't pass a dog without it "nosing" me, I cross the street or wait at the corner or in a vestibule until they pass. So I can handle that if there is truly not enough room. This is incredibly rare-- 99.9% of the time, there is room for us to pass without touching.

Here's what I need from you:
Your dog is on a leash.
The leash is in your hand, not tied around your waist.
The leash is short enough (or you are capable of quickly shortening enough) that even if your dog is straining to greet me, you can prevent him from doing so.
Your dog is trained not to greet strangers without your permission.
You are paying attention to and actively managing your dog.

This is not too much to ask. If it's beyond you, you need to exercise your dog somewhere other than a city street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Often? I am not sure you understand meaning of that word.

[Anonymous]

I am always astounded at how many dog haters post here.

That being said, as a dog owner, I do everything I can to avoid other people when out walking. I love dogs but don’t care for random dogs coming up to me, especially when I’m out walking my dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Yeah, so your issues are clearly larger than a doodle, brushing by your leg

[Anonymous]

NP this weekend alone I have seen dogs (not service dogs) inside a grocery store, bar, and different restaurant. No specific dog fears, but no desire to interact with strangers dogs and pretty over current dog culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

It would say “ruff ruff ruff 🐶 “

Seriously, animals have no idea what PTSD is…..they simply do not understand that some humans may not want to be approached or touched even.

So if a dog does approach you - try to understand that it is just going on what is organic to them.

Of course dogs don’t understand that some humans may not want to be touched, that’s why they’re supposed to be under the control of a human.

As a dog owner, it is your obligation to make sure your dog doesn’t make unwanted contact with others. So before your dog approaches anyone, try to understand that some humans may have an organic fear of dogs or organic allergies which makes such contact hazardous to them.

I like dogs. Although I don’t have one now, I did when I was young. Even though I was a child, I made sure it didn’t make unwanted contact with others. Granted, it was a small dog, which I’m sure helped. My parents wouldn’t have allowed me to walk a dog they weren’t certain I could control. As an adult, you should be certain of your control of your pet, even if they’re large. If you are unable to impose your will over their organic instincts, you present a danger not only to others, but to your own dog. Because dogs don’t have human comprehension, even the nicest dog can bite if scared, provoked, or triggered by some previously unrecognized PTSD of their own (even though they have no idea what that is). Even if you have no consideration for other people, for your dog’s sake, get a shorter leash, enroll them in obedience classes, do whatever’s necessary to make sure that you can control them, and then do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am always astounded at how many dog haters post here.

That being said, as a dog owner, I do everything I can to avoid other people when out walking. I love dogs but don’t care for random dogs coming up to me, especially when I’m out walking my dog.

I had a dog aggressive dog and tried hard to keep her away from other dogs but some dog owners will let their dogs chase you down pulling them towards you because "my dog is friendly!" well mine isn't so stop stalking us. But I don't experience random dogs coming up to me as I walk now without a dog.

[Anonymous]

You are right op. I wish more owners controlled their dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am always astounded at how many dog haters post here.

That being said, as a dog owner, I do everything I can to avoid other people when out walking. I love dogs but don’t care for random dogs coming up to me, especially when I’m out walking my dog.

It's not hating dogs. It's not wanting random dogs to run up and jump on them while the owner texts or laughs "sorry, he just loves people"