How protective are you when it comes to new people interact w/ your little one?

[Draco]

If you were out and about and someone (another adult) asked if they could hold him, would you?
What about employees at petstores?
Do you just limit it to a head rub, or a belly rub while you hold your dog. Or do you just let your pup soak up all the attention on their own while keeping an eye on them?

My last dog was a rather large pomeranian, he was almost the size of a fox and looked like one. Everywhere we went people want to pet him and do belly rubs and such. I only kept an eye on him and let him bask in the attention.

However I find myself really cautious with Draco and only getting more cautious. Saturday was one his first outings with a large group since his cast was off 2 weeks ago(broke his paw end of april jumped from sisters arms). He was such a good boy, and although I was a little surprised when people wanted to hold him. If I follow the growth chart he looks like he's heading the direction of an average size your though he's almost 4lbs now at 5months. I said yea to everyone and would engage in conversation a few steps away while random new friend told Draco how cute he was.
But then this past Tuesday I stepped into my room for maybe 10min and Draco was in my living room (next room over a couple steps away in a 1 bedroom apt.) He apparently jumped and fell weirdly over the luggage of a friend of a friend that's returning to Australia and He's been limping a bit. Not saying I don't believe her, I've had trouble keeping him jumping on and off my little couch which a little over a foot high and watch him closely when he's on my bed(2ft high) otherwise he'll jump off when he wants. He's jumped off the couch over a dozen time s and my bed maybe once or twice since his cast removal and wasn't limping like he is now and it's 3 days later. I thought it might just be a bit sore. But Now going to have make another trip to the vet tomorrow, I really hope xrays aren't needed. =[
While I was a little cautious with him and other people, I can feel this having an effect on not trusting people so easily with him. Sucks it took all this to happen.

[Draco]

Also check out this awesome rehab facility for dogs. Hoepfully the vet will have good news and give us permission to visit this awesome place Two Hands For Paws

[dottiesyrky]

Sorry to hear about Draco's paw and pray he did not do any more damage since the cast came off.
I can see why you are more cautious now with other people picking him up, but he is so small and very cute. Perhaps when he is well healed from this episode you will feel more comfortable. You could always keep your hand on him to be safer.
My dog is bigger and not so easily picked up, but I would not mind if the person held him safely.
Get better soon Draco and ease off on the jumping, LOL!

[Fritz n Sophie]

I just lie and say that mine are very squirmy with people they don't know. That is usually enough.. Hope everything is alright with your baby.

[Bentleysmom1985]

Originally Posted by Fritz n Sophie

I just lie and say that mine are very squirmy with people they don't know. That is usually enough.. Hope everything is alright with your baby.

Thanks for the idea!! I am VERY protective and I was just thinking about how to tell people not to pick him up and not sound crazy . I had a dog when I was little, and I friend of mine picked my puppy up, my puppy freaked out and he let her go. She broke her leg

[KazzyK810]

Originally Posted by Draco

If you were out and about and someone (another adult) asked if they could hold him, would you?
What about employees at petstores?
Do you just limit it to a head rub, or a belly rub while you hold your dog. Or do you just let your pup soak up all the attention on their own while keeping an eye on them?

No. I don't let people hold her. I don't trust people, and I also don't trust that ZoE wouldn't try to get away from someone, and fall & get hurt. It's just not worth the risk.

But, when she's in my arms, or on the floor, or in her stroller, people are welcome to pet her.

[My lil friend]

If we are in public,Mina is tethered in her stroller,tethered to the grocery cart or in my arms on a leash. Noone as ever asked if they could hold her,but I dont think that I would have a problem politely saying "no".
I didnt allow strangers to hold any of my children when they were tiny either.

[yorkiefan_]

I absolutely will not let other people hold my dog. I just tell them no.

[Britster]

I am only cautious because Jackson does particularly enjoy being pet by strangers. He has never shown aggression, but is often uncomfortable, so I won't put him through anything he doesn't want to do. We've worked very hard through the years on him gaining peoples trust, so I won't have anything break that. He's very good when I say 'go say hi' and will often go up to the person and let them pat his head/chin. But he doesn't usually seek attention from strangers. He's always actually been better with kids (I guess they always smell like food or something, LOL). Thankfully, with Jackson being a bigger boy at 17lbs or so, most people do not pick him up or ask to. I wouldn't allow it, as he barely likes ME picking him up.

If I had a dog that thrived on attention though, I would not have a problem.

[CouversMom]

I am pretty protective. Couver doesn't really like strangers, so I don't really let people touch him. Khloe is the friendlier of the two, so I let people pet her... But not pick her up. She's wiggly and it wouldn't take anything for her to get dropped. It's just not worth it to me.

[ironmike86]

No holding. I've had women come up to me and try to talk my dogs outta my arms. When they see I don't let them grab them I will let them pet my puppies. But I usually don't even let ppl pet them. I dunno where they've been? Ppl think its juts a dog. But I know where my dogs have been....I try not to be rude but its for my dogs safety IMO

[Jenna AK]

I don't even like someone trying to pet Jenna when I'm holding her, unless it's someone I know. She is very tolerant, but she is my baby. No one touches her. End of.

[Melany]

not a chance in blazers am I going to let them hold my yorkie, they can go get their own, do I sound over protective? I would never let a stranger hold my human baby and to me its the same thing.

[crazydoglade]

absolutely not.

[JasmineNoelle]

My three girls love people and I allow my older/responsible grandchildren to hold and pet them, however I assist my younger grandchildren. When we are out and about the girls are in a purse/buggy or on a lease and I don't allow people of any age to pick them up or hold them. When ever they are approached I usually just tell them they enjoy being petted gently. It's working so far. Prissy is 11 years old and is very sweet, but it would probably scare her if a stranger picked her up.