when my kids get excited around a dog - i won't even ask if they can pet it. i always just tell them NO - always assuming that the dog may bite or that the owner just doesn't want to fool with my kids.
if you flat out ask, "can they pet him/her" most people won't refuse, so i don't even take that route. i just tell them no and assume if the owner is in the mood and the dog doesn't bite then they will invite them to pet - and that's usually what happens. |