is it ok to let people pet your dog?

Question

the more you let other people outside of the home pet and greet your dog will it affect the natural protective behavior that is suppose to come naturely to you dog when training a puppy?

Answer 1

With most dogs, the more you socialize them as puppies, the better they will be with other people when they are older. It is a great idea to take your puppy out in public and let as many people as possible have physical contact with him. Just make sure that it is all positive physical contact. Don't let anyone scare him, hurt him, etc. Also make sure he has had his shots before letting him get social. You don't want him to pick anything up.

Answer 2

Well, I don't know about your dog, but I'll tell you my experience. When we first got her from the pound, we took my dog everywhere and let everyone pet her. She was a very friendly puppy.

After we'd had for a while, though, she became quite wary of strangers and would bark when people approached. She had been abused by her previous owners, and I guess once she realized we weren't going to abandon her, she became very, very protective.

So my answer would be, no, letting the pup greet strangers shouldn't affect his growing protective. There's a big difference between greeting someone on the sidewalk and having someone break into your house or attack your friend, and dogs know that.

Take care.

Answer 3

Having more people pet your dog in a friendly way will socialize it to people and will result in a dog that is friendly toward people - this is a good thing, even if the dog is being trained for protection. Well trained dogs should only be protective toward their owners when given a command by the owner - and that takes specialized and intensive training. You don't want a dog to fear people or one that growls or acts protectively for no reason.

Answer 4

No! It's just the opposite - letting people pet your dog is the most effective way of introducing your animal to other people and otherwise helping to socialize the animal. As you said, they have a natural protective behavior, and it will definitley kick in if there is any sign of danger. Socializing is a good thing, especially if you have a more protective dog!

Answer 5

My American Eskimo Dog is the freindliest dog anyone would ever meet. But, there are occasions where she shows a protective nature. Not just any time, but in certain situations. Don't be afraid to allow your dog to socialize and trust that your dog will know the difference between a friendly social call and a potential threat. Having a well socialized dog is really important.

Answer 6

Sure it's OK, especially if you want to have a friendly, sweet dog. I believe dogs have a natural sense of people who will try to hurt their owners. However, if you're wanting it to be a guard dog then absolutely not! Did you know that "seeing eye dogs" should never be petted while they're on duty? But when they are just hanging out with their owner they're taught to be non-aggressive. Never pet one of these dogs without asking it's owner by the way! That's all I have to say 'bout that...

Answer 7

No it is not. I have a very strict no petting policy. My dogs are allowed to interact with other people and are taken everywhere to get used to all types of things, but, I am the alpha male in the house and they need to look at me as the center of their universe. I provide all comforts as well as discipline and corrections. A dog looks at me as his pack leader and learns what he can and cannot do. With that being said, I do not want my dog to run up to strangers to get petted or look to others for attention. First of all, it is confusing for the dog to have to do that. Strangers outside of the pack are not supposed to gush over the dog, not give it attention. That is stressful to the animal. He does not know why it is happening and that causes more confusion. I have no problem, sometimes, if I have a young dog that is a little shy going up to other people for attention so that he can learn that others will not hurt him, but, once he gets over that problem we are back to the same no petting policy. I know that most people will not agree with me here, but, my idea of a social animal is one that will not bite someone just because, but, will not go to anyone else either. That is how I have raised all my dogs. And no, it will not kill his protection instinct, if he indeed has one. As long as he is environmenatly social and he looks at people as just other dogs being there, (dogs do not understand that we are a different specie, they just think we are funny looking dogs), we will be fine. Do not let people force you to touch your dog.

Answer 8

most dogs that are properly trained will look to you to be the first line of protection in the house because the will see you as the leader of the pack and they won't attack unless they're trained to or have natural instincts to protect. that being said, the thing that criminals usually try to avoid is attention therefore a dog's bark is a very good deterent to crime unless you have one heck of a motivated criminal which is kind of an oxymoron. you and your dog will be happier to have the dog socialize by interacting with your guests, however, don't let them go overboard and disrupt your ability to interact with your guests. there is a fine line and i would suggest obidience training for you and your animal.

Answer 9

Well, it depends. If you intend to have the dog as a friendly type house dog, then yeah. Let everyone pet him/her, just train the puppy to not jump up. Do this by kneeling down to the puppy's height when greeting it and telling it no when it jumps up. (Knee it gently in the stomach when it gets older if it hasn't learned not to do it by then). If you want it as a guard dog, then it's best to just let close friends and family pet it.

Answer 10

No. Your dog will accept people he perceives as safe by you introducing him to people which will help him better tell who is a stranger. My dog is an awesome guard dog and is fine once he knows the person is okay and that I know them but until that point, he is barking at the door until I tell him to stand down. He's not mean by any means but he will protect his home and family.