Others Perception Of My Dogs

[shirra]

For me it has nothing to do with the breed. I would only enter if I had previously developed a rapport with the dogs in the owner's presence and knew they had no history of aggression or territorial behaviour.

[Staffyluv]

I think your dogs are beautiful! But no I wouldn't enter any yard unless had done so previously with the owners (and dogs) approval.

On the weekend I took both my dogs to the local market separately. The black and tan girl, quite a few people wanted to pat etc. My solid black male, not one person asked. It was quite striking to me the difference based on colour and ear set (Molly has soft ears)

Black dog syndrome.. I find people want to pat the little ranga more than Zig if we are out walking.

But at the dog park, it is always the guys who want to pat him.

[kelpiecuddles]

It's interesting isn't it. Funnily enough I have found that it also extends to humans. I have three children, one brown hair brown eyes olive skin, one very pale with blue eyes and hair that was blonde as a littly but has darkened and one with blue eyes and light brown hair. The two lighter coloured ones have always recieved lots of complements from people about how cute they are but the oldest tends to get overlooked in that regard, he's a handsome fellow but people do seem to go for the pale haired, blue eyes kids more!

[corvus]

Black Dog Syndrome has very little empirical support. Check out this blog post from someone who has studied it: http://doyoubelieveindog.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/black-dog-syndrome-bad-rap.html

Incidentally, I feel uncomfortable opening a gate to get to someone's front door if it is a substantial gate, and that feeling is at least twice as strong if there are dogs and/or kids in the yard. It's got nothing to do with whether I feel the dogs/kids are safe or not. I just don't want to be accidentally responsible for them getting out, or somehow provoking unwanted behaviour by not being ready for it or something. I don't like my dogs to be around strangers unsupervised, at least not in the excitement of them arriving. So I wouldn't want to force someone into that situation by coming in before I am sure they are ready for me. This would not change if they were expecting me or if they were running a home business. I figure it's just courtesy to wait until you're invited to enter the property if possible. I'm kinda vampirish like that. After the first meeting no permission required.

[Zombie Bait]

I wouldn't enter. I'd call and get you to come and walk me in.

After the dogs had gotten to know me a few times and seemed to like me, I'd probably walk in unaccompanied.

[bertie]

I don't assume if someone works from home their dogs are safe.

I won't open gates unless the owners have left specific instructions to do so & even then if there was a dog I would be double checking & would refuse if I felt it was unsafe, whether because of the dog's demeanour or if I felt there was too great a risk of letting the dog out.

Generally I love to get pats & smooches in when customers have their dogs there. Once I remember this lady trying to assure me her Maremma(x?) was just super friendly & would be fine blah blah even though I'd asked if she could hang on to the dog, I really think this lady had no idea of her dog's behaviour at all & certainly no concept of an independent thinking dog anyway. I didn't get bitten but I was pretty p*ssed off about the whole thing & felt very lucky when I left unscathed :laugh:

[mixeduppup]

I own a maremma and know my dog very well and his behaviour around people. If I am there he is friendly and fine (although always watching) as I have socialised him up the wazoo but I never take his breeding for granted no matter how much i trust his history.

[hankdog]

If I was coming to your house for the first time I'd probably say hello over the fence and hope they would bark and summon you. It wouldn't differ for the type of dog but I would find a pair a lot more intimidating than a single dog. Definitely getting smarter as I get older, or is it paranoid?

[mixeduppup]

If someone walks through two (locked when i'm not home) gates to get into my backyard with 6 dogs barking at them then they're probably brain damaged.

Edited August 27, 2013 by mixeduppup

[Dame Aussie]

I own a maremma and know my dog very well and his behaviour around people. If I am there he is friendly and fine (although always watching) as I have socialised him up the wazoo but I never take his breeding for granted no matter how much i trust his history.

Yeah my Anatolian would literally devour anyone who broke into our house or yard, however in a normal situation he loves everyone and everything. Situation is really important too.

[mixeduppup]

I own a maremma and know my dog very well and his behaviour around people. If I am there he is friendly and fine (although always watching) as I have socialised him up the wazoo but I never take his breeding for granted no matter how much i trust his history.

Yeah my Anatolian would literally devour anyone who broke into our house or yard, however in a normal situation he loves everyone and everything. Situation is really important too.

Yup. Hence the reason both gates are closed and locked when I'm not home as he would have anyone who tried to come in. That's his job and that's why we have him, to protect our house and us.

[Steph M]

Black dog syndrome.. I find people want to pat the little ranga more than Zig if we are out walking.

But at the dog park, it is always the guys who want to pat him.

Gus is just finding this out, and it's breaking his little puppy heart! At 8, 10, even 14 weeks he was adored and loved up on the street but now people cross the road to avoid him, even if he's looking the other way, carrying a stick or totally focused on my fist full of bacon. Poor little guy just wants everyone to be his friend!

I don't think I'd enter a yard with a dog in it if I didn't know them, they probably are friendly but I wouldn't want to chance being bitten or anything happening to the dog, especially not if it were my fault.

We lock our gates and put Gus out when tradies come as I have a fear he will knock the ladder over or steal their things. Both valid...

[Sezy]

Yes, and I have. Caught up with an old school friend the other week and was greeted by hubbies hunting dog at the gate, he was a huge boof head. If the dog looked stressed or worried in any way I would never have gone in as I had my daughter in my arms.

[Staffyluv]

Black dog syndrome.. I find people want to pat the little ranga more than Zig if we are out walking.

But at the dog park, it is always the guys who want to pat him.

Gus is just finding this out, and it's breaking his little puppy heart! At 8, 10, even 14 weeks he was adored and loved up on the street but now people cross the road to avoid him, even if he's looking the other way, carrying a stick or totally focused on my fist full of bacon. Poor little guy just wants everyone to be his friend!

I don't think I'd enter a yard with a dog in it if I didn't know them, they probably are friendly but I wouldn't want to chance being bitten or anything happening to the dog, especially not if it were my fault.

We lock our gates and put Gus out when tradies come as I have a fear he will knock the ladder over or steal their things. Both valid...

I know what Corvus means about there is little support for black dog syndrome but if you own one - you know what it is..

There does seem to be an aversion to black dogs. I know if I have Zig on my own, walking around the park we are mostly avoided. But put the little ranga girl in the mix and people want to say hello..

But at the dog park, it is the opposite. He seems to get the attention and pats and she is mostly ignored.

It is funny watching people try and call Zig for a pat and slipping in a pat as he flies past them playing with other dogs.

I also think everyone loves a puppy and once they pass that puppy stage, some people lose interest in them.

[mixeduppup]

My dog Maybe is the most loving dog and by far has the best temperament but all my other dogs get attention before she even gets acknowledged.

[bertie]

I own a maremma and know my dog very well and his behaviour around people. If I am there he is friendly and fine (although always watching) as I have socialised him up the wazoo but I never take his breeding for granted no matter how much i trust his history.

Yeah my Anatolian would literally devour anyone who broke into our house or yard, however in a normal situation he loves everyone and everything. Situation is really important too.

Yup. Hence the reason both gates are closed and locked when I'm not home as he would have anyone who tried to come in. That's his job and that's why we have him, to protect our house and us.

Yes, but if you had a worker come to your home & asked you to hang on to your dog, would you say 'No she's fine'???

[mixeduppup]

I own a maremma and know my dog very well and his behaviour around people. If I am there he is friendly and fine (although always watching) as I have socialised him up the wazoo but I never take his breeding for granted no matter how much i trust his history.

Yeah my Anatolian would literally devour anyone who broke into our house or yard, however in a normal situation he loves everyone and everything. Situation is really important too.

Yup. Hence the reason both gates are closed and locked when I'm not home as he would have anyone who tried to come in. That's his job and that's why we have him, to protect our house and us.

Yes, but if you had a worker come to your home & asked you to hang on to your dog, would you say 'No she's fine'???

Of course, if they are worried about my dog I wouldn't make them feel uncomfortable. If they just turned up and I didn't organise a visit I would be wary and just control him verbally as I would be wondering why this strange man has just turned up and wants me to put my large dog away and come into my yard. It's very much individual circumstance.

[mita]

I wouldn't open a gate to any dogs - I wouldn't want them to slip out. For that reason, my gates are always locked.

Regardless of breed, I would ask the owner to come and let me in. Some dogs are very nice dogs but are territorial.

Yes, to both.

Just adding that our dogs are kept behind side gates, which have an obvious tie on them. I've noticed most callers get the hint about that... &, if they come to the side gates, they'll stand there & call out, whether they can see the dogs or not.

Edited August 28, 2013 by mita

[mixeduppup]

I'm actually getting a sign made up that says. 'The dogs are the doorbell. Don't come in, just wait"

[JulesP]

I just took a Ziggy look alike home. Found him out on a rather busy road. Was slightly concerned as I approached with my dogs but could see he looked scared. Ushered him back inside and knocked on the door. Owners were pleased that I had bothered. He wasn't super happy about me being there with my dogs but my girls were very good and just ignored him.

I would approach this sort of situation with care regardless of the breed. I wouldn't go into a yard with a dog.

Black dogs don't bother me as such but there are a heap of big black dogs around here that just aren't very nice. They look like Lab crosses. They wouldn't be nice if they were pink!