I don't want strangers touching my dog!
 

When I was bringing Oliver home, the breeder I bought him from suggested I not let strangers touch him at the vet and I assume anywhere else animals gather just in case their dog has something, because he's still a baby.

I brought him to Petsmart with me about a week ago to pick out a new harness (the one I got for him before was a little too big and he was wrestling out of it) and had I not needed him there for a fitting, I wouldn't have brought him for exactly that reason.

While I was there, he got a lot of attention. I was able to deflect most of it just by holding him close to me because most people are polite enough not to touch him while he was so close to my chest, but there were of course a few who didn't understand personal boundaries and pet him anyway, and I'm willing to bet that they're the same type who rub the belly of a pregnant stranger as well.

Anyway, I'm taking him to the vet on Monday and more so than Petsmart, even, I'd REALLY prefer he not be touched by strangers there. I'm going to try keeping him in his crate but I know well enough at this point that he's going to cry until I take him out and hold him, and if I have to do that I'm not going to know what to say to avoid sounding rude if anyone wants to pet him.

The breeder told me she just simply says no when someone asks to touch, but no one at Petsmart asked first so I assume this will be the same. I have no problem saying something like "actually I'd rather you not touch him, he's still young and I can't afford for him to get sick" but what would YOU say if someone tried to argue that?!

I don't want people touching him, but I also don't want them to glare at me from across the room.

I let people touch Ziggy, especially the female race :D :D :D :D , im a hony lil devil. Is that bad to say on here if im a guy? :eek:

LOL:eek:

lmao so basically you're using him as bait to attract women?

nothing wrong with chick magnets , am i right. I love my yorkie, I prolly love this dog more than my brother :eek:

nice hehe

LOL!! :eek:

I let people touch my girls but not just ANYONE.. I don't drag them out unless they've had they're shots so I won't have to worry about them getting sick from people touching them.. You can tell by looking at people if they mean well or if they come from less than sanitary conditions...

We were just at the petstore yesterday and there was another person in there who owns and breeds yorkies.. I definitely don't mind them petting or holding my babies..

As soon as my girls had their shots I let people pet and hold them (if they appeared normal of course :)).

Socialization is so important and the only way you will socialize your dog is to allow it to interact with people and other animals.

I agree. If they are healthy enought for Petsmart, they are healthy enough to be pet by someone.

I would wear a light weight baggy coat and tuck your baby in so that just it's head is out. If you do this people will be less likely to touch being your baby is so close... (have your baby just about chest high... no one will touch your baby!;) ):shocked7q :eyebrow2: :eek:

I've never had a problem with anyone touching mine, now, never had anyone ask to hold mine, but, I will pet dogs all the time, especially if I'm in pet smart..I remember this older man one time had a shih tzu, I went up and talked to the shih tzu and then was petting him, the guy grinned at me and said I can't believe it, he usually won't let anyone touch him...

Uggh I HATE people touching my dogs...it gets on my last nerve...:rolleyes:

Hhmmm let me recall back when mine was a pup. Before he finished his shots, I was careful not to bring him out and if I do, I don't put him on the ground so I hold him just to give him some air and get accustomed to the traffic sounds and etc because we lived downtown then. I don't think I let anyone pet him. I will just say he still hasn't gotten his vaccine yet but most people did ask first so that was good. There are people that pet him without asking but not many. If anyone argues, just say that your vet say so:p My vet actually said to me not to bring him out until one week after the third shot and I can bring him out briefly but don't put him on the ground.

After the shot, I socialize him a lot. We actually went everywhere together. We see all kinds of dogs and people-sometimes just plain seeing another dog, I don't allow him to go near dogs that I don't know. I was still wary of strangers touching him though but I won't say no to those who politely asked especially gentle kids and some gooey eyed dog lovers. Now I am very careful with strangers and he is pretty much well socialized already. Someone grab him before (he was on a leash) and said aloud that he is bringing him home and started walking off with him!!! After that time, I have always been extra careful. Can't help it!

i don't mind when most people ASK if they can pet morgan but i hate the ones that just think they can do it without asking. if that do that i smile and turn away. if i see someone i don't like oooing and ahhing at her from a little distance away and heading in our direction i will walk away. I too hate it when they pet her when i'm holding her against my head. hellloo? what happened to personal space.

lol :)