Don't pet the puppy!

[RD]

How do you get people to *not* pet your dog?

Eve had a bad experience at the park a couple nights ago with a completely rotten boy stepping on her feet (intentionally ) and I am back at square one with socializing her.

I need to be more selective with who touches her, because I have a sinking feeling that all this exposure to strangers who encourage bad behavior or scare/hurt her is going to ruin her. But for the life of me, I cannot get people to leave her alone. Today I had her out for a couple hours, and nobody would listen to me. They see a cute puppy and their brain falls out their butt. I swear it's gotten to the point where I'd be willing to LIE and get her a "don't pet the service dog" vest in order to keep people away. I ask them to please leave her alone, that she's in training, and they ignore me! I wind up picking her up and leaving because they crowd around her and scare her.

So, how do you keep people off your dog? Until I can convince her that strangers are something neutral that need to be ignored, she's going to be unsure of herself around them. I'm getting really discouraged, I don't want to ruin this puppy but these idiot people just won't comply with what I ask of them. I don't know what to do.

 

[jess2416]

I'm not sure, but I'm sorry your having such a hard time ((((hugs))))

 

[FoxyWench]

it happens wiht us all the time cause my guys are "so small and cute there like babies" *growls* the first time they reach out i say "please dont pet *insert whicheer dog here* hes unsure of new people" if that doesnt work i firmly and louder say "i asked you to please not pet my dog, if you cannot keep your hands im not going to be heald responsible for ANY problems arrising from your disrespect"

usually thats enough for people to back off, there more worried that im insane.
i personally dont mine people htinking im rude.
im having similar issues with dodger, hes very warey of strangers and im slowly trying to desensitize him, but every person that comes up and insists they can pet him sets him back a week of work...so ive started getting all out forcefull with the people that just cant keep their paws to themselves.

if that doesnt work a quick "oh he bites" usually sends them running, as much as its NOT TRUE sometimes its the only way to get the "common sense imparied" to back off.
ive found those withyoung kids (2-5) are generally the worst about controling their kids/trying to pet the dog and people who "had one just like it" or "my frined had one" ect...

oh and unfortunatly i dont knwo what its like around you but here even vixies "please dont pet me im working" and "service dog" patches dont even stop people!

somtimes you just gotta get mean!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Ugh, that's annoying.

I always say that that it is not okay for them to pet the dog and it's not in my friendliest of tones.

But that is rare, really.

People need to learn to respect others wishes... I hate people sometimes.

 

[Brattina88]

So frustrating... I know how you feel !

I agree with whats already been said ^ ^

Remember, direct eye contact, and very a clear commanding voice. Being direct doesn't immediately being rude - I think you know the difference. Think about how you say "leave it" to the dogs lol

Seriously, though, if a stranger ignores a clear, polite statement, then feel free to be 'mean' if you have to. Hmm... people who are that clueless probably won't notice how mean you think you've been

Good luck with Eve's socializations - I hope things start to go better for you, stranger wise. Not to make you even more nervous, but I just wanted to admit that Maddie can still be kinda nervous around kids to this day because of idiots like that...

 

[sam]

People never listen I am totally not above lying when it comes to protecting my dogs-- sometimes it's just the only way.
There was a guy who always let his extremely scary large shepherd-dobie cross hump Sammy. The dog was actually quite growly and scary about it-- this was not a playfiul humpty hump between friends- Sammy was scared. The owner would be off chatting with someone or would just watch and laugh. I asked him nicely a couple times and got nowhere. Finally I told his that Sammy had hip dysplasia and that it was probably very painful for him to endure that. Now he watches out for us and keeps his dogs away.

So in Eve's case I'd probably say "oh! Careful- don't touch her-- we think she's getting mange" :lol-sign: or fleas/worms or whatever else you think might make a person recoil.

Or you could try asking them not to pet her but instead get them to stand back and toss her some treats. People like to be "helpful" so give them a job that keeps them from doing something stupid.

 

[dr2little]

I'd LIE!:yikes: Tell them she's a service dog in training...to those you're leary of. I did this with Sophie for the same reason. Doing what I do for a living, I know what can happen to a puppy who's hurt or frightened during fear imprint. I just told (scary) people that she was a therapy dog in training and the ones who I 'liked the look of' I stuck to the same story while I allowed interaction but told them how to approach her. People are amazingly cooperative when they think your dog is more than 'just a pet' (which to me is as good as any saint anyway).
I was always very friendly but stuck to my guns and I'm really glad that I did.

 

[colliewog]

Sometimes the service dog thing doesn't work. I was training a pup a few years back and some guy continued to pet her, even after I told him not to pet her. "How was I supposed to know?" Simple - the vest that says "DO NOT PET ME". I would agree with the mange or ringworm threat - that is more scary. It would be hard to convince people that a pup would bite. I feel for you - and wish there was a good answer!!

 

[Doberluv]

I'm so sorry RD, that you're having this problem. Gosh! I never had anything like that. People around here were all really respectful and handled Lyric and my other dogs with kid gloves....just so careful. "Can I pet your puppy?" And they'd squat down and hold out a treat. Everyone around here practically has treats in their pockets. And all the little stores and businesses have treats behind their counter. But I can see where a more populated area, if that's what it's like could raise the odds of running into idiots.

I did run into some idiots when visiting in Seattle when Lyric was older....like a year or a little more. These "tough guy" 20 year olds stomped toward him and acted like monsters with their hands out and this was at night. Lyric backed away. He was not that confident then, being quite young. That really pist me off. So, that was one of only a few things which were scary. Another time some drunk people converged over him and he looked white eyed. It's amazing it didn't ruin him. But he was older when this happened. But still....

What the heck did that boy's mother say? Or was this not a young child? I think you got some great ideas. So, when you say to them not to pat your dog, they do anyway? That's unreal! Why don't you carry a cane or walking stick and if they continue to come toward your dog, just smack 'em in the knee caps and say, "I told you not to touch my dog." LOL. Or if you think that's too harsh, hold it out and across....inbetween Eve and the person, very close to the person's leg or mid section, blocking them very calmly. "NO. Don't touch my dog!" Get Eve use to the stick first while you're alone with her. Try to stay away from highly populated areas for a while and go slowly...

Keep us posted. I'm sure you will have many chances to re-aquaint her with nice, less oblivious, unsensative people who can give her treats and let her come to them instead of shoving themselves at her. I hate that!

 

[~Tucker&Me~]

Poor Eve .

I would go with the worms thing or something. Some people with dogs don't know what mange is.

Just curious...... Do you not want anyone petting her? Like, for working reasons or something? I need to learn all this stuff!

~Tucker

 

[Erica]

I like the cane idea

Seriously though, people see puppy and they automatically want to pet it. Usually around here children are much better about asking to pet a dog than their parents are. However, neither age group seems to EXPECT a "No."

I'm not afraid to tell skeezeballs who won't listen to me when I ask them not to pet my dog that he will bite. He won't -- but he will jump incessently if a human isn't properly introduced, and his claws and harsh pads hurt pretty bad as well. However, people aren't as scared of a puppy biting them. I've been out with Rien when he was really young, someone was petting him and he started mouthing and I corrected him and the woman said, "Oh, that's all right." Um... no, it's not. We walked off after that.

Good luck.

 

[Zoom]

It's just as hard sometimes with older dogs too...During Sawyer's CGC training, when he needed to learn to sit before he could approach people, I would tell people "let me get him seated first, he's practicing for his CGC test", they'd go "oh, that's neat" and still be walking right up to me with their hands outstretched...a couple even called him.

 

[Lizmo]

That's great huh NOT...


Some people! I have never had that problem, but I agree with other's ideas.

 

[RD]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I love the worms idea I'll have to give that a try. I hate lying but if it comes down to ruining my pup or lying about her being an assistance dog, I'll throw that one out there. I've ordered a cooling vest for her already (for the summer months and working sheep) so I might just sew a "don't pet me" patch on there.

Poor Eve .

I would go with the worms thing or something. Some people with dogs don't know what mange is.

Just curious...... Do you not want anyone petting her? Like, for working reasons or something? I need to learn all this stuff!

~Tucker

No, I don't want anyone petting her because I need her to see strangers as something that's harmless and neutral. I don't mind if someone pets her on her terms, but I just don't trust the majority and would rather let her observe them on her own than be forced into interaction with them. Eve is more on the reserved side in terms of friendliness with strangers (not necessarily fearful and definitely not aggressive, just cautious and not overly trusting) and I think at this point it'll be better to just try to imprint strangers as something neutral than expose her to everyone under the sun in order to try to form a positive association with them. I'd rather she pay attention to me, and not be bothered by the presence other people.

So yeah, it's not necessarily for working reasons, but for "everyday life" reasons.

 

[pitbullpony]

I'd walk away; you have your dog on a leash so just turn and walk away.

You only want to set her up to meet "nice" people anyway, so if you see someone coming towards you that appears at all interested in you; turn and go.

If my dog's on a leash, no one gets to pet her; 'cause I am the person in control, and I'll remove myself and her from the situation.

 

[Lizmo]

You only want to set her up to meet "nice" people anyway, so if you see someone coming towards you that appears at all interested in you; turn and go.

That's a good idea, and that's what I do.

 

[RD]

How, pray tell, am I to ever get her desensitized to the presence of strangers if I am constantly running away from them? EVERYBODY wants to pet her. :-/

 

[Lizmo]

How, pray tell, am I to ever get her desensitized to the presence of strangers if I am constantly running away from them? EVERYBODY wants to pet her. :-/

Good point....

 

[Doberluv]

Naturally, we must protect our pups, especially during their marked fearful periods from over zelous people, converging on the pups, especially extra sensative pups. However, puppies need to get habituated to people wanting to pat them and touch them all over, even patting them gently on top of their heads, a place that most dogs inherently dislike. But easy does it is the word. If people are prevented from patting puppies, people will become a foreign and frightening thing to a dog. And that's bad news. So, I would certainly screen people a little....sizing them up....and telling them, "yes, you may pat my pup when and if she approaches you. Here's a treat you can offer her." A slight bit of trepidition in your pup won't hurt her. She'll bounce back. Over whelmingly scary things are to be avoided at all costs. But putting a slight amount of pressure without causing out right fear is how socialization makes headway. If you are overly protective and don't let anyone pat her, she won't get use to it. If you plan on having her around people in the same context as where you live, then she needs to get accustom to lots of people. Now, don't get me wrong and think that I mean that she should be over-come with stimuli which frightens her. No way. But little by little, adding just a bit more pressure as she ajusts to new things will make her much more stable. JMO.

 

[bubbatd]

I've never minded it when it's been on my terms . This is a way to teach kids how to treat and handle dogs.