What do you say when strangers want to pet/hold your Yorkie?

[roosmom]

I don't really like random people to hold her (especially since the one time I did let someone hold her they took her off to show her to someone else...I wasn't too happy) but I definitely let anyone pet her- I like her to get used to people. My other dog is socially neurotic and can't be around people she doesn't know- I think because of something that happened to her before I got her- so I'm all for socializing as much as possible! But sometimes when I get stopped like 5 or 6 times in a row it's like ENOUGH! And then I just kinda say hi and am very brief and start walking away as quickly as I can! All the attention can get a bit overwhelming!

[chachi]

I let people pick up and pet Chachi and Jewels. I just like them to be as social as possible

[Betty'sMom]

Originally Posted by adahl

With my sister in law, what do you think I should say? She doesnt really listen to any one let alone me and I dont know what to say. I would just not take her over there but my hubby likes to and his parents love to see her. His parents look at me and know what I am having a melt down when they are playing and they tell her to sit still and just play on the ground but that only last like 90 seconds and she is back up again. I guess I am just going to have to be tougher and pick meeka up and say that since she did listen she cant play with her now.

Does your husband say anything?? Or does he feel that you should let his sister pick her up? Would he be willing to tell her for you? That might make it easier for the inlaws to accept.

[izzy816]

Originally Posted by Brooklynn

Being a show exhibitor I will let anyone pet my yorkies and most of the time let them hold them if I'm right there with them due to they really need to be socialized and not be afraid of anyone. Small children I will hold the yorkies but let them put their arms around them like they are holding them so all my yorkies will be socialized around children.
I would hate for one of my yorkies to bite anyone because they weren't properly socialized and not being handled by alot of people that is very possible to happen. I really believe in a well socialized yorkie! JMHO

Donna Bird
Brooklynn's Yorkshire Terriers

I agree. You do have to be careful but at the same time yorkies are used to being around people and should be socialized with not only other dogs but humans as well. They are better dogs I think.

I let people pet Izzy, with little kids I let them pet him too but I just make sure they are gentle. He loves being around people. The only time I let people hold him is when Im at home. 9 times out of 10 I know them. I guess what Im trying to say is, don't keep them away from people completely just be cautious.

[Sunnyd]

that they can't hold Lucy because she gets scared and will pee on them. It used to be true but she's gotten better. It keeps people from just picking her up. I don't mind if people pet her.

[Sethowner]

A short and quick NO!!!
I know to rude I will work on the come back

[browniesmom622]

i let people pet my boys but NO holding it takes 1 sec for them to drop them or run off Nope petting is enough

[TatumsMom]

I think it all depends on the situation but in our small town, most people are pretty trustworthy. Tatum has been with us so many times to the ballpark that she's used to be petted by everyone but I still don't know that I would let just anyone pick her up. Like I said before, most of the time when people are petting her, she's on her leash so I'm not worried about them taking off with her. I think the OP's main concern though was a little kid playing too rough and for that, you have to be stern that when you say no more, it means no more. Walk away and put the pup out of the reach of the kid if they are getting too rough. You can't reason with most children when they want to play with something as cute as that!

[crb]

I have never taken my babies out of the house with the exception of vet visits till they are 6 months old with all shots, including rabies. Their bodies are just too small to fight off any kind of sickness they may pick up. But if you are going to take them out, I would just explain to the parents of the children that the puppy is really still too small and hasn't had all their shots so you would prefer that they not be handled. When my babies are older and I take them out, their usually on leash so I allow children to pet them, but no picking up, I would hate for them to be dropped, bones can be broken to easily.

[Anna Banana]

I let people hold Wobie. I'm working really hard on socialization, and people of all ages that want to hold him are really helpful with that. The one catch I carry hand sanatizer with me, and they have to use it before they hold him.

[adahl]

Originally Posted by Betty'sMom

Does your husband say anything?? Or does he feel that you should let his sister pick her up? Would he be willing to tell her for you? That might make it easier for the inlaws to accept.

At first he wouldnt say anything cause he would be busy talking or something and not really be paying attention to it, so I had to talk to him about it and MAKE him pay attention. Now he says something when she trys to hold cause, I wouldnt mind but she doesnt hold her well and Meeka always looks scared. So he will grab her then but I cant stand them running around, I can vision her getting stepped on

[blondflava]

I say "Go ahead, if you can" LOL. Pepper won't let a stranger pick him up, he'll try to jump around and lick them to death, but he only lets people who he knows to grab him, like neighbors and friends. But when he was a puppy, I used to take him with me to work : as a nanny - so he was around kids every day, not very small ones, but still. They had to sit down or lie down to play with him, I wouldn't let them run around with Pep, such a small thing can easily get trampled - always between feet... Let them visualize running with a baby lying on the floor, a puppy is even smaller than that - hope they'll see your concern.

[twalla]

I dont really let anyone hold Sam because he is so fidgety and thats what i tell'em - he is a squiggle worm. Now some people you can just TELL that they are dog people and I let them hold him, if asked. And I really let anyone pet him especially lil kids but first I tell them.. put your hand out so he can smell it then scractch his lil chin, he loves that.

Now my mother the other day was sittin outside with Sam at Target and she was letting people take pics of him

[Gracie2006]

I am very selective. I never let children pick up or hold Gracie. When they ask, I just tell them "no". If an adult asks, it is usually after we have been chatting a bit and I have a feel for them. Most often, they used to own a Yorkie or are a senior citizen wanting to get a Yorkie. Gracie loves the attention, so I do let strangers hold her if I am comfortable. If I am not comfortable, I just say "no" or "she does not like to be held" or some other excuse.

[YorkieMom55]

Originally Posted by crb

I have never taken my babies out of the house with the exception of vet visits till they are 6 months old with all shots, including rabies. Their bodies are just too small to fight off any kind of sickness they may pick up. But if you are going to take them out, I would just explain to the parents of the children that the puppy is really still too small and hasn't had all their shots so you would prefer that they not be handled. When my babies are older and I take them out, their usually on leash so I allow children to pet them, but no picking up, I would hate for them to be dropped, bones can be broken to easily.

I agree totally with you. Another thing, before they have had all of their shots I request that anyone that handles them (visitors to our home) wash their hands first. When I take them to the vet at 2-3 days old I started asking the vet and staff if they would wash and put on a clean smock to handle them. I also take my own covering for the exam table. They know me there, I don't have to ask anymore.