Does it annoy you when someone asks to stroke your dog?

[GSDOWNER]

I've read quite a few posts on other forums, where people are upset or angry that someone has stopped and admired/stroked their dog. Now, this I can understand completely if the dog is aggressive or fearful, or the passer by is rough with them, but I'd have thought that with an even tempered friendly dog that it wouldn't be a problem for someone to gently stroke them (with permission)?

I only ask as I quite often like to admire and meet people's dogs when I see them. I always ask the owner's permission first of course, but I'd hate to think that even if they do say "yes" they are actually quite annoyed at me for doing this I don't want to be a nuisance to anyone

I sometimes get annoyed when kids come running up to him with there hands flapping...........he has never bitten yet, but how do you feel about strangers stroking your dog

[wildmoor]

It depends on the dog, although I have found that my most laid back dogs have tended to be oversize and they are the ones people tend to avoid. What annoys me is when I have had dogs with high defence drives and have asked people to ignore, they always think they know better and because they have had the breed themselves say the dog wont bite me when these particular dogs would.

[LOVEGSD]

I totally welcome anyone wanting to stroke Deez...as long as they ask first I have no issue and he's always very happy to be stroked, his ears go straight back in submissive mode

GSDOWNER - I always want to stroke other people's dogs, and I'll aways ask first.

[shelley]

I love people to fuss my dogs, but I do like them to ask first. But then out of 6 dogs I only have one who can be a bit nervous, and that is because some 3-4 year old child came running over screaming and grabbed her when she was tiny , and where was the childs mother? Miles behind her and not interested in the slightest. The pup had been fine with everyone until that day.

When we are out with our dogs, if we see someone with a dog that is getting excited at seeing one of our biggies we always shout over to them to see if their dog would like to meet ours. And I am surprised to say that alot of the time they don't want us any where near them. And our biggies (Newfoundlands) are so good with other dogs, well they are good with anything really!

[Ailsa]

Yes, I think it's a bit of a compliment when people want to stroke and make contact with your dogs. Most people ask first if they are friendly and then stroke them. I have had people actually flatten themselves against a wall with their hands splayed out as in the cartoons as I passed with Ailsa who wouldn't say boo to a goose! had to seriously stop myself from laughing.

[Louise]

Yes, I love people to admire and stroke my dog, as long as they ask. And I always say thank you for asking, my dog is very friendly so you can stoke her. If a child comes up as they will sometimes and goes to stroke the dog I tell them they must always ask first and will show them the best way to approach a dog and stroke them. I think it is really important as a responsible dog owner to teach others.

[prae21]

I'm happy for anyone to stroke Henry - he is learning to be sociable after all - but I always say he is sensitive around his ears as I dont want his newly upright whoppers to be damaged in any way. I dont know if it's true, but I met a guy in the street who had bred gsd s for years and he said dont let anyone over fuss the ears until around six months as they are prone to collapse whilst growing stronger...is that true?

Henry's always up for a cuddle

[Poly]

I think aslong as the person asks whether they can stroke the dog this is fine....that way if you do have a nervous dog etc you can tell them that it wouldnt be a good idea. My boy as like all dogs is very quick to sense other peoples nervousness etc...but you probably find if someone is nervous of a dog they are less then likely to ask anyway!
I personally always ask the owner.

[Marilyn]

Hiya

I don't mind people patting my dogs as long as they show the courtesy to ask first.




What I hate is when people just walk up and force themselves on a strange dog.

[vickynbandit]

as you know bandit has a bit of an issue with adult males, sometimes when id walk him thru the town on market days it was alwasy the men that would go all gaga over him, as long as they knew how to approach a dog (by holding thier hand out palm up) i didnt have a problem and welcomed the contact esp as i knew how submissive bandit can be.

the only thing that worries me is children bounding up - id prefer it if the adults with them asked if the kids could stroke/fuss him as ive always taught my 6 year daughter to ask first. that said my Molly (daughter) is only really intrested in GSD's, any other breed she sees when we're out she tends to blank lol.
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