Should You Expect... For strangers to touch your yorkies(or other pets) without permission when you're out in public? I was having a convo with a friend of mine who has a male yorkie and this subject came up. Her stance was, "I hardly take my dog out, except for the vet/park, so I don't really have to worry about that". I usually take mine everywhere with me. I have a sling for Veau and I take both Rasta and her with me when walking my son to school/picking him up. My husband says I have on my "bitchface" (can we say bitch?:p) when doing that, so besides the "he/she is so cute" ppl usually keep it moving lol. I haven't been to a pet store since getting Veau, but I did have a woman reach out to touch Rasta without asking at a Petsmart. I gave her the deathstare:rolleyes: and she pulled her hand back :D. Rasta does not like strangers touching him. He'll tolerate it, but shrinks into me. Veau so far likes everyone, but the only people she's been around besides my family and her breeder's is the vet(I bet that'll change when they give her a shot ;)). My husband says if I bring them in public I should expect people to pet them; however, I'm in the school of thought "Don't touch unless you ask". With summer upon us and I know a lot of members here do outdoor activities with their yorks, what do you think? |
I take Teek everywhere with me. I am usually asked by people if they can pet him, but some have petted without asking. I don't get uptight about it because even though I have only had him 4 months I know him well enough to know that he does not care. He was very well socialized when he was young and then the people I got him from had people coming in/out of their house all the time and so new people are great with him. I encourage people to pet him sometimes because I want him to continue to enjoy the attention of others besides me. He is at the point where when we pull into the Lowe's parking lot and he sees the store he goes crazy! He loves Lowe's because the employess know him and customers are always asking if they can pet him. People should ask first. I can always tell a dog person because of the way they approach him. Some people have no idea what they are doing and those are the ones we have to worry about. Sometimes Teek does like strangers to reach over his head and when he pulls his head back I let them know that he doesn't like it when someone new reaches over his head and to pet him from the side and he is fine, but some people he will let do that so I don't even know why that is so hit or miss. I don't ever give anyone the death stare, I am such a happy go lucky kind of person and almost always have a smile on face so they may just fine me very approachable. Also, Teek does not bark so he doesn't scare people. Even my neighbor who is afraid of dogs will pet Teek and talk to him and told me he is the only dog she isn't afraid of and it mostly because he doesn't bark at her. |
It's tough bc I think bc dogs are just so loving and friendly, that humans have a natural impulse to reach out toward that, without really thinking sometimes...so I wouldn't be offended or anything. I view it as our natural gut instinct toward a loving creature...we wantz some :p! That said, I do always ask permission prior to petting another person's pet now, just out of politeness and respect...and bc some dogs are indeed shy and may not appreciate being touched, so it's out of respect for them as well, and their boundaries if they have firm ones. |
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As for people doing it to Harry - people might TRY - but he's soooo picky...if he doesn't want to be petted, he tends to put his regal little nose up in the air, and turn the other way....:D |
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Lol! I just want to clarify I think the b-face just comes naturally for me in the morning. My M.O. that early is to get my son and husband to school/work on time, feed/walk the pups, and come back home for a chai latte so I can officially wake up. Everything else that takes place that early that isn't my son, hubs, pets, or an emergency is considered static until I get my latte ;). |
I, too, always ask if I may pet someone's 'baby.' I do encourage others to approach Piper as I want her to be social and polite. I take Piper pretty much everywhere and as a rule, people have been respectful toward her and me. Awhile back, however, several people were cupping (or attempting) to cup Piper's adorable little noggin in their two hands which neither she nor I appreciated! Now I make sure to intercede to ensure my Piper-girl receives only gentle strokes from folks (I'm so dang poetic!). |
I believe people should ask before touching for safety reasons, in addition to good manners. My boys are not always approachable, especially when they are together on the ground. Depends on the circumstances, so I keep a sharp eye and try to politely head people off before they touch. As Ann indicated, I think it is a natural impulse to want to pet an adorable dog. Even our vet lost himself for a moment and put his hand over Teddy's head to pet him. Teddy does not like to be petted on the head. |
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I made the mistake of being too protective of Max when he was little. We live in big dog country and not many people know how to behave safely around a small dog, especially one with lots of hair and a topknot. :D Max turned out fairly social, but he feels a need to protect us. Poor Teddy had a bunch of bad experiences with people running up to us screaming with delight and trying to pick him up. I think that made him suspicious of people we encounter in public. He is fine walking down a busy sidewalk if people leave him alone. |
I'll always ask if the dog is friendly and can I pet him / her. I don't want to loose a finger or two. Cody is friendly, loves ppl, I have not had one person ASK can they pet him, they just reach out and do it. It doesn't bother me and Cody loves the extra attention, but it just baffles me that anyone would pet a strange dog without asking first if the dog is friendly and if it's ok to pet them. |
I think it's weird for strangers to be touching your dog in public, without permission. People should always ask first, before petting, IMO. But there are always those annoying people that are overly-familiar and violate personal boundaries, and are oblivious to the bitch-face. ZoE doesn't seem to share my perspective. She likes people better than most dogs. And she loves little kids! She stares that them almost pleading for them to come pet her, and if they look away, she'll whine sometimes to regain their attention. At every public dog event we go to, she interacts with way more children than she does other dogs. My kids are grown adults, and I have no grandchildren, or nieces or nephews, so ZoE has no interaction with children other than in public. I don't know why she's taken such a liking to them. Every child over toddler age we've encountered thus far, has always asked, or been prompted by their parent to ask, if they may pet her. |
I think petting someones dog without permission is right up there with patting a strangers pregnant belly, or reaching out to touch a strangers newborn baby. I think its totally rude, lol. If someone starts with Sunni, I say better watch out..shes a puppy and still bites…thats why I'm holding her (duh) Or I just turn my body away to block it. If I have her on a leash while walking and see people approach I pull up the leash and have her heel. If I don't get a good vibe from Sunni with people approaching us. I protect her from it. i've always had very sociable dogs but I do think its because they have been socialized slowly and in safe stable situations. My problem at the moment with Sunni is her insane jealousy of other dogs! But thats for a whole other thread, lol. |
I've had ppl trying to pet Zoey without asking. I just take a step back and tell them Zoey isn't really friendly. I usually watch for body language. I think I can tell when someone doesn't want their dog touched so I just comment on how cute they are and move on. I did catch myself wanting to pet someone elses pet without asking first. I'd extend my hand and half way, I pull back realizing I didn't ask. LOL And all the times I did ask, the owners were really nice and allowed me to pet/scratch their pups. I usually scratch/massage behind the ear knowing most dogs like that. :D |
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Like you, I try to watch for body language, including when I want to pet another dog. I let the dog approach me too. |
It's funny, Bella has never met a stranger and seems to love meeting new people. She is small even though she is still a pup, but her demeanor seems to make everyone want to come pet her and hold her. Most ask permission, but there have been some who just go straight for her. Those I just tell that she is a killer and will tear them limb from limb... but with her sitting there wiggling her little butt and acting all cute it's a tough sell. But it does serve to get us (her parents) into the situation and give the unasked petter a chance to be civil before they touch our little girl. |
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Now should you expect people be wanting to pet without permission? Yes. Should you allow it? No. I always make a point to pick up Toto whenever there are people nearby. Esp children. Since you have yours in a sling, being so close to your body, I would expect less people to try and reach out, bc most people have enough sense to know not to cross that personal boundary line. But of course there are some that are oblivious. You have to be ready for those people. Uni is friendly so she doesn't mind. And I don't mind her saying hi to others. But Toto barks/tries to bite, and start fights, so I immediately pick him up and say you can't pet him, he's a mean old man. (Which is true, he'll be 10 next month.) |
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