Always ask. "Can we come pet your dog?" "Does your dog like to be pet?" Something like that.

I will almost always say yes. But if another dog jumped at my dog, I know my dog is feeling a little defensive and it's not a good time for a stranger to pet her.

Here's a body language tip: If the owner looks unfriendly, don't even bother asking. Mean humans have mean dogs.

Anonymous wrote:Always, always, ask.
I have a beautiful husky that I rescued a few years ago. Very hyper and jumpy, but small so people think shes a puppy. She has never bitten anyone but puts her mouth around wrists when she is excited. Its a bad habit that I have tried for years to break. Someone once told me its called mouthing.
My question to parents- When a child asks me if they can pet my dog I always say no, smile and walk away.
I don't want to scare a child and say she bites. What should I say to not scare them of all dogs?

"Sorry, she isn't friendly with strangers." Parent will know what's up and it shouldn't scare the kid.

Anonymous wrote:Dog owners, please keep Fido off my flowers. If Fido sniff them take him/her to per or poop somewhere else.

Start your own thread you curmudgeon.

Always ask if you can pet the dog.

Yes teach your child to always ask if he can pet the dog before approaching. My dog loves meeting new people especially kids, but he will try to lick a kid's face if they run up to him. If I'm asked, I always make my dog sit and hold him still, and let the child know my dog might lick them. Most kids (and parents) are cool with it, but I worry about freaking someone out who isn't expecting it.

I also try to get the kids to pet him from the side, so he can't lick.

Dog owners, please keep Fido off my flowers. If Fido sniff them take him/her to per or poop somewhere else.

Always, always, ask.
I have a beautiful husky that I rescued a few years ago. Very hyper and jumpy, but small so people think shes a puppy. She has never bitten anyone but puts her mouth around wrists when she is excited. Its a bad habit that I have tried for years to break. Someone once told me its called mouthing.
My question to parents- When a child asks me if they can pet my dog I always say no, smile and walk away.
I don't want to scare a child and say she bites. What should I say to not scare them of all dogs?

Yes, always ask the owner first.

In my experience, anyone who has a dog who might be a danger to kids knows this about their dog and they will make sure the dog doesn't get anywhere near your kid. But still, you have to ask and hold back until they say it's ok.

But we approach dog owners all the time. My almost 3 year old also loves dogs and 99% of owners are lovely and gracious about it. In fact, we've never had anyone be anything other than great about it.

Anonymous wrote:Teach your child to ask: May I pet your dog? from an appropriate distance. You can ask anyone who doesn't look busy, but don't be upset if they don't have time or if their dog is not friendly. Be mindful of their time when petting.

+1 - this is absolutely the right approach. assuming the dog's owner says yes, then also be sure that your kid is petting the dog appropriately. don't grab the ears, don't touch too hard, if the dog seems uncomfortable try to end the interaction. you want to set up your kid and the dog for success and a happy interaction!

my dog loves when kids want to pet him. it's really funny - he's pretty aloof with grownups he doesn't know, but he is so happy when kids pay attention to him. he loves to sniff their faces, especially. it makes me really happy when the kids and parents want the same thing he wants.

Anonymous wrote:Teach your child to ask: May I pet your dog? from an appropriate distance. You can ask anyone who doesn't look busy, but don't be upset if they don't have time or if their dog is not friendly. Be mindful of their time when petting.

This. Ask first from a distance. I have a dog that may look cute and friendly but has some serious anger issues when approached by strangers. She has and will bite as she is scared (shelter dog here). There have been plenty of parents letting cute little Johnny run up to the "nice cute doggie" and let their kid grab at her without asking. They are never greeted by a tail-wagging, friendly dog.

Anonymous wrote:Teach your child to ask: May I pet your dog? from an appropriate distance. You can ask anyone who doesn't look busy, but don't be upset if they don't have time or if their dog is not friendly. Be mindful of their time when petting.

We actually practice the whole routine: "Is your dog friendly? Can I pet your dog?" Hold out hand, let dog, sniff, pet dog gently. And we don;y do this if the dog and owner are stopped, not if they are striding down the street.

Never approach the dog without talking to the owner/walker first.

Teach the kid to hang back, observe the dog and the owner, then if the owner offers to let your kid pet the dog, then teach your child to put their hand out for the dog to smell first, then pet.

Teach your child to ask: May I pet your dog? from an appropriate distance. You can ask anyone who doesn't look busy, but don't be upset if they don't have time or if their dog is not friendly. Be mindful of their time when petting.

My almost 2 year old gets excited whenever he sees a dog when we are out. So far, he has not tried to grab any dogs, but will want to get up very close to them. When he gets excited, I usually just point at the dog from where we are standing and saying "oh, look at that doggy! You love doggies!" Once or twice, the owner has come over and offered to let DS pet the dog. I usually let him, and he is pretty timid and gentle with the dog up close. This all seems fine to me.

Let me preface my questions by saying that I come from a country where dog ownership is not common. So, as DS gets older, he will want to approach the dog and stranger. Is this okay? I don't think grabbing at the dog or petting without asking is ok, but what about approaching the dog? What is the protocol here for a curious toddler? I don't want to break any sort of etiquette or put either dog or toddler in harms way.

For those with kids who love dogs, how do you handle when your kid sees a dog in public?