Do you pet dogs you don't know?

[jenluckenbach]

Yes, bigger dogs have bigger teeth and more power behind a bite, but calmer general personalities. Small dogs are just more high strung and nervous. And the smaller they are, the worse they can be. (notice I say "can be". It is not a written law, just a tendency)

[Freckles]

No

[primabella]

i don't, just because i'm not a very social person, to just walk up to a dog and start talking with the owner or something. if i was more like that, i'de probably wait until the owner gives me an "okay" on it. if its alone, i wouldn't risk it. lots of people have come up to mickey though, and i don't mind

[Cataholic]

Originally posted by primabella
i don't, just because i'm not a very social person, to just walk up to a dog and start talking with the owner or something. if i was more like that, i'de probably wait until the owner gives me an "okay" on it. if its alone, i wouldn't risk it. lots of people have come up to mickey though, and i don't mind

Primabella-
That is surprising to me, you seem so friendly and social...hmmm...maybe you are a little shy? I would run up to pet Mickey, after asking you first

I always pet dogs on the street. I have a pretty good feel from their body language as to their friendliness quotient. Usually, I can tell from the person walking the pooch if this is an ok situation. I don't think I would ever hesitate to pet a pooch left unattended at a store. For instance, at Starbucks on Sunday, there was perhaps the largest lab I have ever seen...easily 125 pounds...EASY...probably stood 28" high....and I approached. Course, with palm out first..and I didn't stick my face down at his level. And, his tail was a'waggin' from ten feet away! I figure we all need good touches, hugs, contact, pets included!

[wolf_Q]

Yes and No.....when a dog comes into be groomed, I don't just pet the dog, I take it WITH me on a leash! lol. Dogs are very unpredictable......there's been many dogs go psycho on me, and it's scarey. Normally you can read the body language, and other times they don't give you any warning.

Now dogs with their people on the street, I'll ask if I can pet them...unless the dog is pulling on it's leash sniffing and licking me first lol. I appreciate when people ask if they can pet my dogs. Nebo is unpredictable around strangers...he loves some, and is terrified of others...and it does not help any if somebody just puts their hand on him and startles him.

Now stray/loose dogs.....I'll usually crouch down and call the dog to me. Sometimes it takes some effort, but usually I can get the dog to me and I'll pet it. If the dog is obviously not friendly, I'm not going to even attempt to go up to the dog.

p.s. I HATE it when people leave dogs tied up in front of stores...I don't care if the dog is friendly or not. It's not an intelligent thing to do.

[Karen]

I always ask the owner if he or she is present. If there's no owner present, I pet the dog anyway. I always have, though some dogs I approach cautiously if they are giving "unfriendly" signals. But I convince them I'm okay, then pet them anyway!


I understand not everyone can, or should, approach strange dogs.

P.S. I have always talked to strangers, too. Probably drove my mother crazy when I was little, but I always have! And never gotten in trouble for it, either!

[Logan]

Originally posted by Karen
I always ask the owner if he or she is present. If there's no owner present, I pet the dog anyway. I always have, though some dogs I approach cautiously if they are giving "unfriendly" signals. But I convince them I'm okay, then pet them anyway!


I understand not everyone can, or should, approach strange dogs.

P.S. I have always talked to strangers, too. Probably drove my mother crazy when I was little, but I always have! And never gotten in trouble for it, either!

Karen, we are kindred spirits!!! I guess we knew that, huh? I do the same thing!!!

[Kfamr]

First off, I think it's WRONG to leave your dog in a public place without someone you know watching it. Any moron could come up, feed your dog something, take the dog, or do something to the dog without you knowing! I don't approach the dog unless i know it, or it seems happy and friendly, otherwise i won't go near. I'm very cautious if i do go near, only staying far away reaching out with my hand... normally when i dog licks ya it's ok I don't think anyone would dare touch Simba if he was by himself.

[jennifert]

This topic got me thinking.....I think that if I left Duncan outside a store and someone tried to pet him, he would be fine UNTIL I came OUT of the store which is when he may try to bite the person petting him. There would be no reason for him to bite unless I was there to protect.
Last winter, I remember my roommate telling me that Duncan had gotten out the front door. A girl walking by grabbed his collar and was holding him. When the roomie got close to get him, Duncan turned on the other girl and tried to bite her.

[slleipnir]

First off, I think it's WRONG to leave your dog in a public place without someone you know watching it. Any moron could come up, feed your dog something, take the dog, or do something to the dog without you knowing!.

I agree with you KayAnn, I would, and never had left my dogs out somewhere. I remember a friend wanted me to once with Rufus, but I was so paranoid someone would take him or do something to him.

As for going up and patting one, I don't know if I would, I don't think I would..

[Adge Gibbs]

I do, but I take it on a case by case basis. The only time I ran into an issue was with "Jenn and her angry orange dog". It's a shame she's known that way in town because Jenn is the nicest person you'll ever meet. Her dog just hates everyone and tried to attack Seven. He's kind of slow and thinks everything with other dogs is a game so he never gets weirded out by it.

I too keep treats on me. I've found that when we run on the trails in the woods, the dogs that we come across that are borderline tend to relax when offered a treat or take it and run off. No big either way.

I always worry when people approach Seven. He is perfect with women and children and with guys my height or shorter. The only time he gets antsy and barks is when a guy is taller than I am.

[Jessica12345]

mmmmm......... well i used to pet any dogs, but once i was at a dog show and the lady gave me permission to pet her dog. she was like "oh he is so friendly!" So my friend reached out to pet him and her nearly bit her hand off! Me, thinking she did something wrong, put my hand out for him to sniff. He lurched forward off his leash and tried to grab my hand. I pulled it away as fast as i could but he still got my finger and gave me stiches.
Anyway.... even though that hapend, they are just to cute to resist! lol i do TRY not to though.

[lynnestankard]

Originally posted by Karen
I always ask the owner if he or she is present. If there's no owner present, I pet the dog anyway. I always have, though some dogs I approach cautiously if they are giving "unfriendly" signals. But I convince them I'm okay, then pet them anyway!


I understand not everyone can, or should, approach strange dogs.

P.S. I have always talked to strangers, too. Probably drove my mother crazy when I was little, but I always have! And never gotten in trouble for it, either!

He he he Karen - that's me to a 'T' - both the dogs and talking to strangers!! As a toddler I was so painfully shy I used to hide my face on my Mum's lap! I think she was just so pleased when I 'came out of my shell'.

Lynne

[primabella]

That is surprising to me, you seem so friendly and social...hmmm...maybe you are a little shy? I would run up to pet Mickey, after asking you first

and i would definilty let you pet him i am a social person but not with strangers. especially since people around here can be such jerks! buuuut, it's all good

[Aspen and Misty]

I would say you have to watch the dog and see how it responds. Some dogs love to be touched and some don't mind while others don't.

There is a an english Spanial at teh end of my street who is out every moring around 4 or 4:30. I have dog biscuits in my pocket because of Chewy so I always gave him two or three biscuits and continued on to the car, never pet him and usually threw them across the yard to him. Well just 2 days ago I came up to the yard proceed to the front door and then was attacked by a BIG old tongue with a doggie atached who wanted there doggie biscuit! LOL. I walked around the house to go to the car and the Lady said " You know he wakes me up every morning at 4 so he can be out here to get his buiscuits, I thought dogs hated the paper girl"?? LOL. It was funny. I feel bad the dog wakes her up.

I will pet most dogs, because most dogs around her are sweeties. But some are mean, but those ones let you know real quick and I always offer a hand to sniff before petting.

Ash