"Don't Pet Me"/"I'm Working" Vests?

stardogs

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#21
I've found tshirts on ME or the handler are more effective than anything on the dog for those that need space. I have a shirt that says "Dog in Training Please Stay Back" in large letters on the back and a client had one made with that on both front and back and she and I have both had good success. :)
 

TahlzK

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#22
I need a vest that sas 'Pet me!'

I want the opposite for my girl with issues, I need people to pet we so I can help her with her issues.

Maybe I should be looking to buy a vest..,
 

AdrianneIsabel

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#23
I also find "working dog" to be a misleading patch for a pet. "In traning" is fine by me, but "working dog" generally means the dog has a job, whether it's an SD or a SAR dog or what have you, and is actively working.
There are multiple forms of working dogs out there.

And I will say, OP, a nice scowl and "I'm better than you and can't be bothered with you" look helps keep people away from my dogs as a rule. ;)
 

Saeleofu

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#24
There are multiple forms of working dogs out there.
And that's why I specifically stated "pet" and then listed multiple working dogs as an open-ended list :rolleyes:
 

Southpaw

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#25
I've been looking for one of these too. For the same reason - we go into pet stores and everyone thinks my dog is public property. And she hates it.

I will say that, when she wears her backpack, people tend to think she's a srs working dog and don't get so grabby. But I also want it made clear to people DO NOT PET her.

I don't really care what kind of assumptions people want to make about me or my dog based on what she might be wearing. Like I said, even her backpack makes people think she is "special" and "working" when that's not it at all. She's just exercising. lol.
 

RD

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#26
Dude, you could have neon signs and strobelights on your dog, a warning siren if they come too close, and "do not pet" tattooed all over his face. People will still try to pet him if you aren't downright surly about insisting that they don't. It's stupid.

I do agree, "ask to pet" patches are probably a good idea, but don't expect them to work wonders. I like the julius-K9 harnesses too, and another thing I like is the webmaster or doubleback harness from ruffwear. They're large enough to hold a couple patches and they're very secure.
 

StillandSilent

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#27
Gambit had a vest with a huge stop sign patch ironed on each side. Next to it it said "Shy Dog, Do Not Pet". The stop sign was really nice, because even small kids knew what it meant.
 

yoko

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#28
I need a vest that sas 'Pet me!'

I want the opposite for my girl with issues, I need people to pet we so I can help her with her issues.

Maybe I should be looking to buy a vest..,
I would not put a sign to pet my dog on a dog with issues.

I get wanting to work through them but putting a big pet me sign isn't the way to do that.
 

misfitz

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#29
Just so you're aware, a lot of people stare curiously at my borzois but don't overtly try and pet them. The second I put a work vest on one and take them out EVERYBODY assumes the dog is now public property and that I'm trying to socialize them or something, and they'll just reach out and grab. Thankfully, the only with with problem is Kaia and she just gets distracted and wants to stare at them and lick them. :wall:

So... a vest may not have the desired effect. It might do exactly the opposite.
I agree. Especially bandanas. When I walked dogs for the rescue and shelter, they always put vests, bandanas, etc. on them - because it made people more likely to approach. Especially if it was a big, black dog or a "scary" breed like a GSD or pittie. Accessories seem to get people's attention and make the dog more approachable. At least in my experience.

I'm also well practiced at the "I'm better than you" scowl, LOL. Walking quickly, and having my dog trained to go to my other side on cue tends to help, too.
 

Romy

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#30
I would not put a sign to pet my dog on a dog with issues.

I get wanting to work through them but putting a big pet me sign isn't the way to do that.
"Issues" is such a broad term, it really depends on the dog and what she's struggling with. A shy dog with an alert handler holding a bag of treats, ready to intercept people closing in and give them treats for the dog could do a world of good.
 

yoko

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#31
"Issues" is such a broad term, it really depends on the dog and what she's struggling with. A shy dog with an alert handler holding a bag of treats, ready to intercept people closing in and give them treats for the dog could do a world of good.
Her dog is reactive to the point that she has to plan outtings where the dog won't see other people or people are pretty far off.
 

JessLough

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#32
"Issues" is such a broad term, it really depends on the dog and what she's struggling with. A shy dog with an alert handler holding a bag of treats, ready to intercept people closing in and give them treats for the dog could do a world of good.
Her dog is HR/HA, if I'm thinking of the right person

ETA: got distracted by work and yoko beat me to it
 

TahlzK

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#33
Ummm. Yoko, Yes, I'm going to plan what beach to take Serenity to because with all the noise, tons of people/dogs/objects, she'll freak out. It's a horrible idea to take her to a crowded place. So, yes, I make sure when I take her out, it isn't to packed beaches/swimming/hiking areas. She is fine with a few people here and there, a few groups of people here and there. That's fair enough, I don't expect her to love a crowded place.

-I can walk her in to town and she's fine. She wears a muzzle, just in case. She doesn't just try and suddenly attack people, she can get a nice pet without a issue and sometimes she enjoys it. She'd be wearing a muzzle with a 'pet me' sign so it would be clear she has issues and I'm sure people would ask.

-I need people to pet her to help her and I don't see the harm if she's wearing a muzzle because people know then she has issues. She isn't HA. She's a tad fearful at times but it's not all fear ether.
 

TahlzK

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#34
Actually, if she's under control, she's fine in a crowded place. It's a problem if I let her do her own thing with direction.
 

yoko

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#35
Your dog is reactive I still personally do not think putting a sign on your reactive dog is a good idea muzzle or not.

That invites people to touch your dog. You should be in control of the situation at all times and if random people think your dog is safe to pet you have no excuse if someone scares her enough to get a reaction before you can speak up.
 

JessLough

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#36
So your going to take a fearful dog, put a muzzle on her and then force her to stand there and accept petting from strangers? Sounds like a wonderful idea.
 

TahlzK

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#37
First, I have other ways to get people to pet her so no, I'm not getting the vest. It's a thought if I ever decide I'd like to possibly get more human interaction for her but I don't plan on doing it anytime soon.

-Yes, I sometimes do take her to places where I know she'll get a pet because that's helping her issues. I'm sure she doesn't love it but it's working, she's becoming more accepting of strangers and actually seeked attention a few weeks back from some one. I reward her as well.

-I am trying to help her, to see getting a pet isn't a bad thing, that being near a person isn't a bad thing and if allowing people to pet her/reward her will do that, I'll do it. It's been working. We still have a long way to go but I've seen positive progress.
 

Romy

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#38
I wasn't talking specifically about anybody's dog. Just that in some instances, inviting people to pet a dog with handler guidance can be a very good thing in helping the dog overcome something like shyness.
 

SaraB

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#39
I plan on getting a vest for Classic that says Do Not Pet. I am 100% effective in keeping people away but if that vest keeps even ONE person from trying to approach us I will call it a success. I get so incredibly stressed out having to be down right rude to people who want to pet him that it feeds off onto him which causes him to be more reactive. I'm in the camp that service dogs do not own vests and as sad as I will be if it affects someone's view on service dogs I don't really see that as a reality. If that person is so dim that they think my dog is a service dog just based on his vest I'm praying they arn't in a position to make policies regarding them.
 

SaraB

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#40
"Issues" is such a broad term, it really depends on the dog and what she's struggling with. A shy dog with an alert handler holding a bag of treats, ready to intercept people closing in and give them treats for the dog could do a world of good.
I've seen Megan work with her dog, she is very capable of fending off strangers. However, having a reactive dog myself I can vouch for her that it gets very overwhelming and stressful constantly doing that. As sucky as it is, there is no other way to help our dogs get past their issues other than bringing them in public and anything that helps make that easier is worth a shot.
 

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