Dogs Are Not Public Property

[emgem]

I use other peoples' interest in my dogs as an opportunity for socialisation and education, which is vitally important for my dogs, their breed and the general public. How else does the non-dog own community learn to accept dog ownership when all they get are negative reactions? It is much better to have them leave with a positive impression and a little bit more knowledge about responsible pet ownership. It only takes a few minutes and the impression can last a lifetime.

I think the frequency has a lot to do with his and my reluctance to engage. Until I got this breed I had no idea just how grabby people could be. We get comments everytime we go out and somedays it seems we cant move for people wanting a chat and a pat.

[megan_]

All dogs aren't friendly - they don't have to be either, as long as they're under effective control. I agree that we expect waaay too much from dogs today - they must love every one and every dog lest they be deemed aggressive!

My girl has been abused and doesn't like strangers paying her attention. She should be able to go for a walk without feeling threatened all the time.

It can be great socialisation for a dog with a very sound temperament and very solid nerves, but it can break a dog who doesn't have these qualities.

grumpette - I think it is possible to deflect 99% of people in a positive way. I always use by body as a bit of a blocker if someone is trying to get to my girl and then explain that she has been abused and is happier if left alone. Most people understand that but some people then get right in her face and start baby talking to her (WTF? Even so called dog people do this!). That is when I am polite but very firm. I explain that that is a very intimidating thing for a dog, and if a dog is scared ignoring them is the best course of action, talking to them and focusing on them is actually seen as aggressive.

Edited February 2, 2012 by megan_

[grumpette]

megan, I totally agree that a dog’s outing should be enjoyable 100% of the time. I have a similar problem with Dee. She is uncomfortable with lots of people (more than 4-6) around her as a result of going through a fear period at the age of 7 months when the fires went through in 2009. I am very selective with her human interactions and ensure that she has a very clear escape route. If people stop and she engages then we stop. If there are too many people, we side step, she waits patiently in a drop or sit, until they pass. Everything with Dee is done in a calm confident manner.

emgem that sounds like a daily walk with Baylee and Zephyr :D Thankfully they are both extremely confident and social. When I want a quick walk I choose a route that has a good chance of no people contact.

[Nekhbet]

i'm seriously considering trying to desensitise Wilbur to strangers on the street; mainly because everyone wants a pat, he gets lots of attention and eye contact and now thinks it's his right to lunge and approach anyone and everyone for a bit of loving. I would like to be able to walk down the street without him automatically veering to passers-by for attention. Most people ask for pats, some don't; i usually address those that don't. i'm wondering if he's less interested in people, then (hopefully) less people will be interested in him...probably not though.

It's simple. Dog can only get attention from a stranger on your command, which in turn will remove the expectation and searching behavior. Meanwhile you praise him for getting attention from you. This way the 'reward' of getting attention from a stranger is still linked back to your authority.

My Dogue is a total attention hog ... it takes us at least an hour and a half to walk through the market because everyone wants a pat. He loves it, everyone gets Dogue cuddles and it's joy all round. Why not.

[LizT]

i'm seriously considering trying to desensitise Wilbur to strangers on the street; mainly because everyone wants a pat, he gets lots of attention and eye contact and now thinks it's his right to lunge and approach anyone and everyone for a bit of loving. I would like to be able to walk down the street without him automatically veering to passers-by for attention. Most people ask for pats, some don't; i usually address those that don't. i'm wondering if he's less interested in people, then (hopefully) less people will be interested in him...probably not though.

It's simple. Dog can only get attention from a stranger on your command, which in turn will remove the expectation and searching behavior. Meanwhile you praise him for getting attention from you. This way the 'reward' of getting attention from a stranger is still linked back to your authority.

My Dogue is a total attention hog ... it takes us at least an hour and a half to walk through the market because everyone wants a pat. He loves it, everyone gets Dogue cuddles and it's joy all round. Why not.

I would be tripping over myself for a Dogue cuddle, or Bullmastiff, or Newfie.

But today at the Chiropractors an elderly gent had a Border Terrier bitch on lead that just about tuned herself inside out when I said 'hello' as I walked past in the car park. Later he was in the waiting room as I came out and I asked if I could pat her, she was laying very quetly at his feet but her tail was on a mission! :laugh: "She'd cry real tears if you didn't" was his reply. :)

Edited February 3, 2012 by LizT

[Kazhak]

ok sorry if I have't read everyones posts but I really wanted respond to the original post with "Here Here" I have a Chinese crested (yes somewhere in the back of my brain maybe I chose this breed cause their intereseting & wierd looking to most other people which gives them the right to aproach my dog & try to pat him) sorry for the sarcasm I actually chose this breed as they suit my lifestyle & are beautiful.

on the most part most people have asked me if they could approach or pat my boy & in most cases I've allowed them to do so under my supervision as my little guy is only small & could easily be overwhelmed, & I'm happy to talk to anyone who request info about my chosen breed.

the other day however I took my little dog to our local beach (one that allows dogs so long as they are under control) as it was a warm day we all took a swim & I encouraged my canine friend to do the same, when he had enough I had him sitting under control on our towels (casually gaurding our gear) while we finished our dip, we were no more than about 5 meters away from my beloved boy watching while some small children decided to search for rocks right in front of my boys position (he was a gem & didn't move) but then a full grown adult male approached my dog & started to encourage him to come forward for a pat, I was ready to charge out of the water in protection of my dog (again my boy had not moved a muscle towards this man) but seriously what gave this gentleman the right to approach my dog without a) my permission or b) without the dogs owner being present, just because I brought my dog to the beach as it was hot doesn't give people the right to invade his space.. I was looked at weirdly for wanting to protect my friend as if yes I was a green 3 eyed monster..

so again thank you for raising such a topic..

[Nekhbet]

"She'd cry real tears if you didn't" was his reply

oh you should see Skoota's face is people look and don't touch ... he puts on his pathetic dogue face and then the closer they get, he sloooooooooooowly drops down and rolls over. If they try and leave he'll hug their leg yes he suckers people in quite well with his sad face