How to say "no"

[shelbysmom]

To people?

reading about Maximus jumping in landlords pool reminded me of a question I have.

How do you tell people "no, you can't hold my puppy" or correct the way they "are" holding it?

I haven't dealt with strangers yet (we are new at this) but I understand people can barely keep their hands off of these little ones. So, what do you do in public when people ask?

And how do you handle visitors at home? I am a nervous wreck when someone holds my puppy. I spend the whole time reminding them that she is squirmy, that they have to hold her in two places...etc. etc.

It makes me ill. I need a good response for people that don't "get it" or I am never going to leave home and never allow anyone in. J/K but help!

[natalie]

I know what you mean. I get scared when people try to touch Fred. I just tell them that he can get real nervous when people touch him and most people understand.

[bettyeanne]

Oh, how I remember those problems!! I could never say no to anyone about anything ... until Toto!! The first time a stranger reached out and wanted to hold her, Patrick was holding her and I practically threw myself in front of her before I realized what I was doing!! Dr. Lucy had cautioned us about her being so tiny [1 1/2 lbs.] and if she was trying to scare us, she did a darned good job!! After that it was no problem to simply say "we don't let anyone hold her, I'm sorry!" You would be surprised how easy it became and how understanding people are!

It was easier with people who came to our house. I simply explained to them what our vet had explained to us and that was that!! Toto is almost two years old now and I still don't let children hold her! They can play with her on the floor but can't pick her up ... these babies leap out of your arms before you realize it!

[browniesmom622]

do you know the names ive been called cause i never let anyone hold my boys doyou know how to say no when someone askes you to hold him picture him falling on his head then you will automaticly say no it takes 2 secs for them to drop him no comes easy out of my mouth

[LIL MIS' MAGIC]

We usually just tell people that they can pet them but unless we know that well we don't let them hold them...you never know what they will do if they get uncomfortable!!! Most people understand and for kids with parents, most parents will help the kids understand more clearly!!!

[ldenise]

that is such a good question.
It seems that the problem is mainly with kids. a small dog is like a puppy all of its life and they can't resist the cuteness. I usually tell them that they don't like kids and I am afraid of them getting bit. as far as Buckeye is concerned he really don't like kids. Ahia loves them. Buckeye has snapped at one person and that was my grandson only because he was jealous of my grandson giving grandpa a kiss. It was just a warning snap. My grandson is not an animal type of person. he neither likes or dislikes them so he leaves them alone. (he's never a problem). I had some neighbors (moved away) those kids thought they needed to hold my two all the time and i just told them i was afraid of them getting bit so just pet them. but....my husband never said no to them. he didn't see any harm in letting them.(i was always working during this time). we have a little 3 yr old girl behind us that is very good with my 2. she has been taught to gently pet them. only problem with her is she wants to take a handfull of dirt and put on their back. LOL. we are working on that one now.

[orinskye]

no one may hold toby except my fiance, me , and the parents/siblings of both of us.... other than that....... no holding at all, as far as people coming over, i have no problem delegating what is ok and what is not, they are in my house afterall, and if they dont follow the rules i start to get pissy and they know it...... you have to know what youre limits are, i wouldnt even let just anyone wlak up and start holding my dog, and when people are in my house they follow my rules and if they dont like it, they can leave.....
oh......... i forgot to mention, toby is not really a holdable dog anyways, he weighs more than 10 lbs, im thinkng anwyehere from 12-15 lbs.....

[vainchick5]

Ok don't laugh, but when people ask to hold her, I tell them she bites unless I'm holding her. IT WORKS OK!!! I don't have enough guts to stand up to adults. Kids are easy. I just say, maybe when you get older and she gets bigger, but you can pet her. I let people pet her, I don't mind that but other than me, and my immediate family, NO ONE and I MEAN NO ONE holds her. Even if I have to tell them, that she has bladder problems. I WILL TOO.

[Stitches29]

I tell people that Maggie doesn't like be be held. WOW is that a WHOPPER!!! and is very hard to hold onto. ANOTHER WHOPPER

My grandchildren, it's easy. I tell them, "Sit down and you can hold her". And that's NO WHOPPER.

[rnnw62]

I would never just hand my human babies off to anyone
and I am the same with Teddy. Unless you have one of
these little dogs you can't even begin to comprehend how
quick they move so I am not taking any chances. Since
he now has all of his shots I will allow anyone to pet him
"THAT ASKS" because that is good socializing for him to
be used to people. In my home luckily we don't have too
many visitors and so that hasn't been too much of a
problem but I think my policy would be that if they wish
to get on the floor and play with him that would be great
but that's it as far as the handling goes and if they don't
like it don't let the baby gate hit them in the butt on their
way out.

[red98vett]

When Chanel was little and out with me - people would ask to hold her - I just told them she bites and it worked everytime.

I used to be a nervous wreck in some of the stores I took her in cause people always see a little yorkie walking around so proud - and naturally want to pick them up - She doesn't bite - but it sure stops anyone from getting their feelings hurt or me getting funny looks when I say no....

[Luvmypupster]

When people ask to hold Mia I just say "no you can't, she's a jumper" and when they want to hold Bentley is tell them "No, he bites".

[browniesmom622]

wow everyones posts say that they say to people that there dog bites thats why everyone always says yorkies are mean lol

im a blunt person especcially when its my puppy life at stake ya know ?

[FireFish]

That is like when someone asks if my dogs bite. I say " yes, she/he is a dog and they can bite." That will usually keep them at bay.

My scotties look like stuffed toys to some people but I don't like people to touch them either.

But then I didn't let people touch my children when they were babies either.

They are your puppies...you pay the vet bills....you are responsible if they should bite.....Heck no....you sure can say NO with no explaination if you would like.

[mybirdys2003]

I will absolutely let no one hold my Snoodles when I am out and about. I just say no, she is too wiggley and she could get hurt! My grandchildren know that the only time they can hold her is if they are sitting on the floor! Which is hard, because she is always jumping up on the coudh and chairs, etc. But that is the rule and I stick to it! They could be seriously hurt or killed if not handles safely! PERIOD!
Pat