lovemesideways Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 (edited) Edit: Deleted by accident, trying to fix!! Edit2: Yep I deleted the OP by accident cause I'm a idiot. Lol. If anyone has it then feel free to repost! Otherwise it is gone. I was basically saying this, "When did it become acceptable to just touch someones dog without asking. Or directly ignore them when they say no. Or to worse, respond with hostility? It seems to me like the general public have the belief that a puppy is something of a social experience. A puppy is there for them, not for the owner. And it is somehow socially acceptable to call someone a “stupid bitch” simply because they stop your kid from grabbing your dog." Edited December 11, 2011 by lovemesideways Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atanquin Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Some people are rude I snapped at a lady after I had enough of people comeing over to ask me if my dog was vaccinated we would have about 3 people everytime we went out ask me that. Hen I snapped I had a really bad day and the lady came running over to me I thought something was wrong and she need help from the way she was acting but no he asked if my dog was vaccinated so I did swear at her I don't normaly snap at people but I had enough. Stuff like this happens when you have a pup they just attract alot of attention Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I think it's pretty natural for people to want to pat puppies, I know in the past I have seen puppies and said hello and didn't feel as though I was being rude. Maybe I was. I do however agree that it's your dog so you get to say what happens and the hostility is strange . If someone told me no you can't pat the pup I'd say no worries and walk on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Sorry LMSW but I think you need to relax a bit. I mean that in the nicest possible way. Puppies make people go gaga, if it means your pup will get extra attention and affection then go for it. Relax, puppies are meant to be fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I think it's pretty natural for people to want to pat puppies, I know in the past I have seen puppies and said hello and didn't feel as though I was being rude. Maybe I was. I do however agree that it's your dog so you get to say what happens and the hostility is strange . If someone told me no you can't pat the pup I'd say no worries and walk on. It's weird to say no to someone wanting to pat a puppy so it's no wonder people get offended. I intentionally take my puppies to busy places so they'll be smothered by strangers wanting to cuddle them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I think it's pretty natural for people to want to pat puppies, I know in the past I have seen puppies and said hello and didn't feel as though I was being rude. Maybe I was. I do however agree that it's your dog so you get to say what happens and the hostility is strange . If someone told me no you can't pat the pup I'd say no worries and walk on. It's weird to say no to someone wanting to pat a puppy so it's no wonder people get offended. I intentionally take my puppies to busy places so they'll be smothered by strangers wanting to cuddle them. Oh sure I agree, I just mean I wouldn't have a go at someone for not wanting me to pat their puppy. I don't think anyone has ever told me no before though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I think the more people your pup gets to meet the better IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Puppies are so adorable that I'm sure alot of people find it so irrisistable not to want to give them a pat....& it's probably good for your puppy to interact with strangers too I do understand though that if your doing a training session with him, you may not want anyone distracting him....Is it possible to find a quiet area with hardly any people around for his training sessions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimiss Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 (edited) It's like walking around with my pregnant friend and having people come up to her and ask to rub her belly. Or observing people who just wander up to peoples prams and start playing with the baby / talking to the baby. Babies make people go crazy. I personally don't think I'd like strangers coming up to me and patting my puppy - I'm not real big on talking to strangers in the street in the first place, and am a little shy / weary of strangers. I assume it'll happen since I'll have a 'super fluffy baby Pomeranian'. In saying that - people who are polite, will not be a problem, interaction is good, but I do not want to interact with pushy and hostile people at all, puppy or not. I do think it's polite to ask rather than just assume you can pat my pet though. I'd be pretty offended if someone just expected and went for it. I've been brought up not to touch things that don't belong to you without prior permission. ETA - spelling Edited December 10, 2011 by minimiss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inevitablue Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I know LMSW is working towards having a dog that's purely focused on her, hence choosing slightly distracting environments but having her pups focus remaining solely on her. Perhaps a T Shirt saying 'Service Dog in Training' could work. People instinctively know to stay away from obvious guide dogs in training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redial Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Oh this touches a raw nerve, I used to walk all six of my dogs together but had to stop due to idiots. I now do three separate walks, which makes me fit but annoyed. I've had people grab my dogs tails, stick cameras in their faces without asking, grab their leads and drag them over, I've had on girl see me coming and run straight into the middle of all my dogs and start baby talking and squealing like an idiot, then complaining when the dogs growled at her...it drives me nuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 you dont need to bottleneck your dogs experience to get better focus. Breeds like this should see people as neutral compared to you and that requires a degree of interaction with them. It never ruined any dog I had, nor my new bitch who I actually pushed under peoples noses. She turned out brilliantly and actually doesnt pay heed to other people around because she understands what they're about and any element of curiosity about them is gone. Your dog should always be well socialised especially with small children I dont care what work you want to do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stonecutter Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 I think the more people your pup gets to meet the better IMO In retrospect, my puppy is now 11.5 months old and I wish that I had taken the approach that LMSW is taking - neutralisation of distractions and focus on me. If I had done this, I'd have less problem barking (at every leaf, when I move a wheelbarrow in the yard, people that walk past our back fence - which is open) and other issues such as racing off to meet strangers because she thinks there is more value there, that I'm now working through with a behaviourist. Yes it is good for puppies to have socialisation - LMSW's GSD pup has met my Jap Spitz under controlled conditions and her terms - he doesn't have no interaction with other dogs, just on her terms (which is fair enough IMO) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemesideways Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 I think it's pretty natural for people to want to pat puppies, I know in the past I have seen puppies and said hello and didn't feel as though I was being rude. Maybe I was. I do however agree that it's your dog so you get to say what happens and the hostility is strange . If someone told me no you can't pat the pup I'd say no worries and walk on. It's weird to say no to someone wanting to pat a puppy so it's no wonder people get offended. I intentionally take my puppies to busy places so they'll be smothered by strangers wanting to cuddle them. Why is it weird? Seriously, why? He is My dog. He isn't yours. If I don't want you patting him or feeding him then you should respect that! There is a difference in politely asking if you can have a pat, and rudely walking up without a word and sticking your hand in his face. Like I said, I have no issue with people patting him, but when I control it. Not at random. Hes interacted with hundreds of people, but all under my terms. When did it become necesarry for him to be patted by every stranger to become socialised to them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemesideways Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 you dont need to bottleneck your dogs experience to get better focus. Breeds like this should see people as neutral compared to you and that requires a degree of interaction with them. It never ruined any dog I had, nor my new bitch who I actually pushed under peoples noses. She turned out brilliantly and actually doesnt pay heed to other people around because she understands what they're about and any element of curiosity about them is gone. Your dog should always be well socialised especially with small children I dont care what work you want to do with it. This is what I am aiming for, and so far it is going brilliant. He will sit and focus on me completely even whilst people are patting him. I don't force him to stay away from people or keep him seperate from everyone. I simply control every interaction. Especially small children! He has interacted with a lot of kids, all of whom have asked (or their parents have) very politely if they can say hello, and I have been able to make it a nice experience for everyone. If I simply "let him go" he would 100% scared the crap out of most kids. 17 kilos of puppy jumping on you when you're little wouldn't be pleasant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Life's not a controllable thing. The trick is to see all these annoyances as opportunities to get your dogs focus back onto you, you'll find your dog naturally snobs people who are too much. But dont get upset with people who are not fitting your mould of 'suitable' or your pup will pick that up. Stonecutter your pup is still a baby, and at that age I kind of expect most dogs to put their fingers in their ears, give you the bird and stop listening Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moosmum Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 (edited) I would relax a bit too. I have working dogs and have always encouraged any interaction with willing strangers.Its taught them they are all part of the job and they can learn manners in company from the start,giving mental stimulation.Lots of bennefits as long as you direct the interaction so its positive for every one. In my dogs it serves to help "proof" them,and enables them to detect abnormal behaviour and situations later. Sorry,you guys are quicker! He will grow enough soon that it shouldn't be such an issue. Edited December 10, 2011 by moosmum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oscar (AmBull) Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 (edited) This is something we did not realise would be so damaging to Oscar- we allowed people to pat him (with and often without our consent) and in general excite him as a puppy, boy have we paid the price, an excited puppy is something people love, a 40kg excited dog is not. A lot of people do not feel the need to even ask permission, whilst others do ask and ignore the response anyway. I so wish that I had been firmer as you have been, but did not know any better, and I have had conversations with my partner on how we will combat this exact same thing next time around. It is a tough situation and I do not know where the general public gets the sense of entitlement to someone else's puppy ETA- I don't think it is a matter of keeping the puppy away from people, which is not what you are doing, simply picking those people who are best suited and will follow your requests upon interacting with the puppy. Every Tom, Dick and Harry do not need to meet a puppy, especially if detrimental. Edited December 10, 2011 by NewAmstaffOwner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemesideways Posted December 10, 2011 Author Share Posted December 10, 2011 This is something we did not realise would be so damaging to Oscar- we allowed people to pat him (with and often without our consent) and in general excite him as a puppy, boy have we paid the price, an excited puppy is something people love, a 40kg excited dog is not. A lot of people do not feel the need to even ask permission, whilst others do ask and ignore the response anyway. I so wish that I had been firmer as you have been, but did not know any better, and I have had conversations with my partner on how we will combat this exact same thing next time around. It is a tough situation and I do not know where the general public gets the sense of entitlement to someone else's puppy Exactly! Why is it "weird" if you don't want someone patting your dog? My Lab Riddick has issues with people due to his first 16 weeks of being totally isolated from them. I did a lot of training and hes generally great, but if someone was to try and throw themselves upon him, or run at him when he was tied up, he would freak out. So am I just supposed to Allow this to happen? Because hey, its weird to not let people pat your dog.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
german_shep_fan Posted December 10, 2011 Share Posted December 10, 2011 Your sheppy pup is beautiful Not that i am biased but they are the cutest pups out there haha My sheppy pup Thea is nearly 13wks and when we walk if ppl, esp kids want to calmly pat her then i do let them as she is going to grow well over the 40kg mark and i need her to be non responsive around kids and ppl. If kids ask if they can have a tummy rub and a small run around with her that is fine to me. But we are all different and if you don't want every tom dick and harry patting your pup then that is your personal choice. I guess ppl just think that new puppy owners will love all the attention their pup can get when not everyone is like that. I must admit i was super excited to show her off to other sheppy ppl and their kids around the neighbourhood, afterall they don't stay pick up size for long haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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