Is it because he is a GSD???

[GSDBESTK9]

I took Cisco for a long walk around the lake near my house yesterday. The lake was packed with people walking, jogging, cycling, etc., being the little social butterfly that he is, Cisco wanted to greet everyone!! I had a hard time walking and trying to keep him away from people. Out of all the people we came across, only TWO wanted to stop and pet him, everyone else was getting out of the way and giving us this weird look even when Cisco's whole body was waddling the entire time out of excitement. My poor boy was probably wondering why no one wanted to say hello to him.

[LaRen616]

Awwwww

I would stop and ask to pet him

[W.Oliver]

I think folks are influenced by their perception of what a GSD is, but I think the most significant issue is the typical pet owner who has an aggressive dog (of any breed), and still allows it to approach the general public...normally on a flexi leash. Folks have been put at risk too often by irresponsible pet owners....so the public tends to be stand-offish.

[Lilie]

It has to be because he is a GSD. I have a contractor who has been coming out to work on my house. Last time he was there I had an Aussie and a Golden Retriever. He never said a word about the dogs - although I did crate them when they were working.

The same contractor came out to give me a bid on Saturday and he told me that he won't send out his guys unless the Shepherd is locked up. Hondo wasn't even barking at him. Crazy. I would do it anyway, but he was really worried about him.

BTW -the contractors are working outside my house, and I put Hondo in a crate right by the sliding glass door...so they could see him...hee hee hee.

[Courtney]

I found out very quickly after getting our GSD that not everyone is fond of them.
When I have my boy out (5 months) I have noticed people cross the street/park path or tell their kids to get back. Mine is always walking nicely on his leash. I always appreciate those people who do ask if they can pet him vs the ones you have to stop because they just reach out without asking. I also think what W. Oliver said is true.

Of course I can't resist asking to pet or comment on another German Shepherd because I know they are awesome!

[smyke]

see, my experience is different. everyone wants to pet our beauty queen and say hello. but she wants nothing to do with them so I have to turn them down constantly.

[cshepherd9]

I have gotten the opposite reaction. It is the rare time when I am out walking Willow when someone doesn't come up and ask to pet her.....even the kids in the neighborhood. All my neighbors love her and are constantly asking me for updates on how she is doing. We went hiking on a trail Sunday and while most people were biking/running I still got comments as they went by on how good she was and, of course, how pretty she is!
Oh and just last week some boy offered me his dog AND $50 for Willow. It cracked me up.

[squerly]

Originally Posted by GSDBESTK9

... everyone else was getting out of the way and giving us this weird look

Pull that leg out of his mouth and try it again…

[codmaster]

I have had both reactions with our 2 1/2 yo male GSD - some folks stop and want to pet him and others cross the street. Nicest one was when 3 young boys came by us as I was out training him in front of the house. They actually asked if they could pet my "Police dog".

Of course, Baron just loved having 3 kids pet him. He generally is not the aloof GSD called for in the standard - he just likes people! Most people - some of the more strange appearing ones he has been known to bark at!

But then some people actually cross the street so as not to have to get too close to him ( even as a puppy! this happened)

[ThorDog]

I have had such mixed reactions too. One time while walking my then 7 yo GSD all black I had a drunk grab him from behind and hug him, thank God he didn't react! But I let the guy have it, what an idiot to approach a dog from behind like that. Mostly people and kids ran for cover never mind he was perfectly aloof and could care less who came around.
With our new pup we are taking him out and people look first then figure out he is a puppy and they pet him, he lets them but he is a little aloof too. He is not an in your face pet me love me pup except with us, with everyone else he is very polite and happy but not over the top.