When you have an aggressive/fearful dog, or one that you don't want pet/doesn't want or like to be pet and people are interested in interacting?
Reading a few threads recently I realized that there are a lot more nippy/aggressive/fearful dogs owned here than I thought with great owners managing them.
So when you're out in public with your dog that you don't want pet for whatever reason, what do you tell people? Do you not care and just sound rude? Do you try to explain it? Lie?
As most of you know, Frag has had weird aggression issues in the past, none involving lunging/snapping/biting, and only growling, but still not something I would ever let get to the point, so when we're out in public I do not let strangers pet him. I'm finding it more difficult to convey my reasoning to them, and it's getting on my last nerve. If I don't reason, they don't listen. I don't want to come off as a complete witch before they do anything wrong, but they will do something wrong if I don't have a great reason and I don't want that happening. Just don't want to put Frag in the situation, even if he appears absolutely fantastic with strange people now.
Usually conversations in public go something like this...
Them: "Oh, pretty dog, what's his name?"
Me: "Frag" (apparently this is permission for them to pet my dog..)
Them: *reaches to pet*
Me: Please don't pet my dog. *body blocking/moving*
Them: "Why not?"
Then I either say he doesn't like to be pet and they freak out saying he's aggressive (which I don't want people to think), or I'll say that he has allergies and can't be pet and they condescendingly question it while I want to punch them in their face.
I don't put myself in the position to be approached by many, usually I walk away when I see their interest, but when I do it's so annoying and frustrating. I'd prefer not to be a witch about it, but it's hard to find the right way not to.
unless its someone I know I tell people not to pet my dog. If I dont know you or your dog I dont want the person running up or approaching me out of the blue. That goes outside dog situations too. Just because every person on the block doesnt pet the dog wont make it aggressive or un-socialized
If someone asks and they don't look sketchy to me or like a complete moron, sometimes I will say 'yes you can pet her, but please don't touch her ears", but some people that I would rather not touch her (usually people that are half drunk or causing issues in our evening walks) I tell them that they are not allowed to pet her because she is training or does not like to be approached.
Some people use the question "does she bite" as a way of asking if they can pet her, and to them I usually say "I am not sure" so that they don't want to pet her anymore. Unless it's a child, when they ask that I say "no, she's friendly, let me put her in a sit first" because I let children pet her always since she LOVES children and I dont want kids to grow up being afraid of dogs.
I don't bother with trying to explain Ilka's reactivity. I always tell people, and kids especially, since she really doesn't like strange children, to stay back. I just say "I'm sorry, but she's not always friendly".
I tell them she's a bit reactive so to please keep thier distance. It's doesn't help though. I've had people say "Oh that's ok, ALL dogs like me, or ALL dogs like my dog" and then they act surprised that she reacted. *rolleyes*
It's really hard to train and socialize in a public setting because of this, and I live in the country, so it's either take my chances that something will happen with another dog if I take her out, or keep her more isolated, which does not help either.
I've been doing some classes to work specifically on her reactivity, and I *think* we're having some small successes. My dog is actually more over-excited than anything, but it's really hard to work at keeping her under her threshold when nobody respects her personal bubble.
But yeah, people on the street are freaking hopeless! You can tell them, but they still don't listen half the time.
My dog nipped someone on a walk & my trainer told me that from then on walks are just walks & that I need to kindly tell people "he does not greet well". I think the muzzle that he now wears on walks also helps. People appreciate the honesty & they certainly don't want to be bitten!
A dog needs it's personal space respected. As long as you keep walking them around people, but don't let them pet your dog they will surely stay socialized. Dogs often feel threatened or the need to protect you if a stranger approaches & reaches out to pet them.
My dog had a history of abuse & neglect before I adopted him, so he is unpredictable.
yes. I'm glad you are continuing to take him out for socialization. My dog, although he was socialized very well as a pup, has stranger danger. Hasn't nipped but will back up and bark. I tell people he is in training, and they usually leave us alone. This way they see that not all people want to pat them and rub their head, another rule is to not linger as that is just waiting for something bad to happen.
And of course your dog will surprise you someday! I was finishing up a hike with my dog, when a car pulled into the trail head, tried to rush my guy into the car but before I knew it, their doors opened and 3 kids and a little dog bombarded us. I dropped his leash cause they were on top of him in a second.. he sat and started licking their faces and ignored the dog. Sure made me proud.
I normally feel super embarrassed and just say, "he's just loud" . And keep walking.
He only barks once in a while.
But I hate it when people have snide comets..
It makes me feel terrible .
I avoid proximity with people. I avoid taking him out, period, but the last time I did, I had him wearing a muzzle. He's trained to wear one without issue.
The muzzle is generally a signal people take to "back off."
I don't want strangers petting Lisl. I've had people attempt to approach us on walks. I will firmly say "Don't approach the dog, she is not friendly to all strangers" And that is the truth.
Anyone I've had to say that to stop dead in their tracks.
Most people in my situation are usually smart enough to ask before they try to pet my GSD. In general however, she'll be indifferent toward strangers unless they try to grab at her or pet her. Then it's a no-no. A good example would be a person I was talking to wanted to pet my GSD. Before I even uttered a vowel, he knelt in front of her, stared right into her eyes, and shot his hand toward her. Bad move, lol...
Needless to say I didn't think he could jump back that quick. But my GSD was pretty vocal about that being a bad move.
Not sure where everyone is located but I'm starting to see other people use this. http://www.yellowdoguk.co.uk
It might take a while for the general public to get it but I'm so fed up of other dog owners letting their 'friendly' dog run up to my reactive dog I'll try anything!
I am a fairly new owner of a gsd. I have a 1.5 year old male. He has been well socialized with puppy kindergarten, obedience class, doggy daycare, and etc. The employees ay daycare say he is on of the friendliest dogs there. On walks if some one walks by us he doesn't bark but has an eye on them till they walk around the block. If someone asked to pet him I usually saw no because he wants nothing to do with them. If someone he doesn't know that comes to the house he is not happy. And will try to go after them if I don't have his prong collar on. Sometimes he calms down and sometimes he doesn't. Kind of lost on what to do in situations like this. Should I try a muzzle to show him it's not right to do that or what?
I'm pretty reserved myself when it comes to strangers in my area and don't like to make any sort of contact with most unless addressed especially when I have one of my dogs with me I will usually act the same way and will look out more for them. Very rarely will I allow anyone to come in contact with my dogs, mainly for their safety and comfortability. If they happen to ask a question regarding petting my dogs, for Sam I will say that "he's not good with people" and/or that "I'm training him" and my other dog I usually will say "she is shy". However those who go ahead and assume that your dog is friendly and wants to be pet, is really annoying.
my girl loves everyone and probably gives off signals like that because they all want to pet her and go face to face, its not an issue for us. When I run into less friendly dogs I appreciate a warning, sorry but repeating to not pet is part of having a less friendly dog. Ive seen quite a few gsd and none have been nice like my girl. In the year ive owned her I havent met a single one ive been able to pet, Im not dumb like the people you described, I only pet dogs that show me they want to be petted.
Recently I have been putting my hand out in a stop sign and let them know hes going through a fear stage so Im working with him on meeting strangers. I tell them he prefers to be the one to check them out. While were talking. Sometimes he does sometimes he doesnt. And he prefers under the chin scratches.
Hondo, my GSD wears a halti when out in public. Although he doesn't react towards strangers, he doesn't care to be pet by them. Wearing the halti, people assume it's a muzzle and don't try to pet him. Also, the halti allows me greater control of his head should he ever react.
My Lacy is a social butterfly. If he encounters someone that he doesn't want to be touched by (and it's happened), that tells me that there is something to be said about the person attempting to communicate with us. The Lacy will shrink away from the advancing hand and it gives me a chance to move him away.
My job is to watch what my dog has to say about it before my dog has to react.
So when you're out in public with your dog that you don't want pet for whatever reason, what do you tell people? Do you not care and just sound rude? Do you try to explain it? Lie?
LOL, I just dealt with this today at Petco! Understand I "had" human aggression issues with Rocky in the beginning 7 years ago and I was real hard core, full body block him behind me and no you can't pet my dog he's in training. Lots of work it paid off and he's very reliable, he's pretty much indifferent to strangers but I don't really like to test him.
But today at Petco I got steam rolled by a...12 year old!! The kid was very polite but insistent, usually NO is enough I, had forgotten the "he's in training part" or I don't like to lie because he's not in training!
So I let the kid pet Rocky and yep true to form no issue! I think Rocky actually managed a smile instead of his usual "whatever"!
He's also my first late socialization doggy a rescue at 7 months.
This happened the other day, a little girl raced out and said "can I pet your dog", tyson is sorta fearful, my response was "no hes a bit nervous of people" I smiled and continued walking, to be honest, I dont think he would have been his usual growling self with a child, hes doing really well in his ob class, but there is always a chance, if it saves a child or adult from a nip growl or bite i dont care if people think im nasty or rude.
This happened the other day, a little girl raced out and said "can I pet your dog", tyson is sorta fearful, my response was "no hes a bit nervous of people" I smiled and continued walking, to be honest, I dont think he would have been his usual growling self with a child, hes doing really well in his ob class, but there is always a chance, if it saves a child or adult from a nip growl or bite i dont care if people think im nasty or rude.
Good for you for being proactive and protecting your dog!
I see so many clients who are too shy/nervous of their own dog to say something, and dogs get overwhelmed and nip or worse, or sometimes just regress in training and socialization and become more wary.
These days, I have a 4 month old puppy and I frequently use the "I'm sorry, he's actually training right now and doesn't have his head together to behave properly for a greeting." because he is completely disinterested in humans and I don't want to overwhelm him.
With little kids I say "sorry my doggie is in school learning manners now and can't play". Kids smile when I say it that way. Kind of cute actually because they can relate to that explanation.
Adults, depends, I usually just say we are 'in training' and can't allow distractions at this point. Most folks are nice and understanding.
Another is a bit of a 'white lie' but works if you are dealing with a fearful or shy dog and strangers, I tell them no petting because the dog was abused in the past. That saves a lot of time explaining and or answering questions as most folks will nod and say something like 'poor baby' and leave you alone. Works like a charm and avoids negative distractions/energy.
The yellow ribbon is a good idea, but it has to be universally known why dogs are wearing yellow. I don't know if it will ever be successful.
Especially children who have no clue and run up on dogs.
Our 1 year old GSD is very nervous around people. When I have to take him out in public to the vet or to get his nails clipped , we walk out of our way to stay away from people. I bought a 2" in. wide ID collar that says "DO NOT PET". But even with that on the other day leaving Petco some lady walked straight up to him and reached her hand out.
A lot of people do not know how to read dog body language. I'm no pro. I can read my dog really well. Other people can't see it.
Everyone wants to pet him, they love him as soon as they see him. Unfortunately he does not want them to touch him or be near him.
I get this fairly often
He's a beautiful dog etc...is he friendly?
Me- No. He doesn't like strangers
Them- will he bite me?
Me- He doesn't know you, he needs time to get to know you before he will like you
Them- I'm a dog person
Me- he's not a people person
Haha people usually get it then.
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