Is it really a good thing to allow strangers to pet your dog on a frequent basis?

Question

Assuming that you want a dog to be protective, I have begun to question the logic behind having an "over-socialized" dog. Wouldn't it be more useful to have a dog that is neutral to people. I am not saying people shouldn't socialize their dogs, they should.

Note: this is a matter of pure preference, but please substantiate your opinion.

For example: My dog accepts and remembers everyone that I introduce her to. But if I don't introduce her, she is not okay with someone approaching me. I allow my neighbors to know and pet my dog, because I want my dog to be friendly towards some of my neighbors.

But, when I take her on walks I get a lot of people that want to pet my dog and get bent out of shape if I politely request that they not.

i realize this is not a socialization issue which is why I put "over-social" in the quotes.

and I have to agree with Shepherd Girl that unless your dog has protection training or rock solid instinct / nerves, your dog will probably not protect you. Most dogs that face a real threat will keep their distance and bark.

Answer 1

Well first off socialization has nothing to do with letting people touch your dog, socialization is just getting your dog accustomed to the world it lives in so it does not freak out from every new thing it encounters.
As for petting, I think it really does depend on what you are planning to use the dog for. You mentioned needing a protective dog so I will say that most dogs, even without being petted by strangers, will not be any good in real life situations (because most dogs lack the temperament for it) unless they have gone through training for protection work .

I personally see nothing wrong with not allowing everyone to pet your dog.

Answer 2

Yes, but as many others said I prefer they ask first. My puppies are 9 months old (I have 2) and already 45 and 60 pounds, so I make sure they're pretty well trained around people. I like for them to sit calmly before the strangers pet them or give attention. But if people go all nuts and hyper trying to get their attention, it bugs me. And then if they try to jump, the people say oh it's okay..umm no it's not. Once I was walking my dogs and actually had two young kids run ACROSS A STREET at them to play with them. And then the parent just stood on the other side of the road looking annoyed that I was letting them. I was really polite and my dogs are good with kids, but seriously I was amazed that they saw nothing wrong with letting their children run up to strange dogs (let alone across a street)!

Answer 3

My Shepherd mix is an all-around farm dog, meaning he works my cattle and protects my property.

He is well socialized, and is friendly towards people and other animals. However, I have confidence that if the time ever arose, he would most likely have little to no problem in protecting me or my family.

I think dogs have a sixth sense when it comes to people; they know by instinct who is friend and who is foe. I think they can easily judge someone by their behavior, body language, and overall demeanor.

My dog will bark and growl when strangers drive up to our gate. For someone who doesn't know him, they would think he were about to kill them. But the moment the stranger drives up to the house, gets out, and says "Hey buddy!" or gives him a good scratch, he's all tail wags and is the friendliest guy. He can tell by the way they act that they're not meaning any harm, and so he presents a friendly attitude towards them.

I hardly think a burglar would act in the same kind manner. If a burglar walked up to the house and my dog barked, they would most likely run away, try to sneak past him, or use violence to get my dog out of the way. Obviously someone who does any of these things is prone to suspect, and I think dogs can recognize this and many will act on their suspicions accordingly.


EDIT:

Read your additional details.

When someone asks to pet your dog, perhaps tell them that your dog "is in training." Many people understand that you're not to touch a working dog, so they won't get offended.

Answer 4

You know, I have been preaching the downfalls of over socializing a dog for ever now. People are confusing socializing to mean that the dog has to get alone with everyone and everything. Wrong!!! The dog has to be exposed to everyone and everything so that he has no environmental sensitivities later in life.
I do not allow people to pet my dog and I do not pet other people's dogs. I want my dog to be able to "function" in a crowd of people, but, I do not want that asinine behavior of running up to everyone looking for attention. That behavior denotes that the dog has nerve issues and the pack order is not clear in his head. I want a dog that is strong enough, mentally to withstand any pressure, from any environment, without having to run to a stranger for support.
As far as REAL life protection, you know as well as I do that 98% of dogs will never do it. They are not strong enough to handle a real threat and will crumble and run away from one.
Shepherdgirl is absolutely correct. Bottom line, expose your dog to everything you can think of, make sure that he can handle anything thrown at him from the real world and train til the end of all time for whatever it is you love, regardless of what people say. Hope I helped.

Answer 5

If it doesn't bother the dog, it shouldn't bother you - you are relying on the dog's good sense when you allow it to be protective, why not the rest of the time? Most people who pet a dog without an invitation or introduction , though, are taking advantage of the dog's tolerance, not giving her pleasure. They annoy me too, so I like the "he's in training" answer. Remember that smelly old relative that always insisted on hugging and kissing you when you never saw them enough to be sure who they were?

Answer 6

Most dogs are natural protectors of family. Allowing controlled petting by strangers is just fine. I have a Belgian Shepherd who loves everyone as long as I am ok with them. She will not hesitate to put herself between me, my children, or my husband and any stranger that we have not welcomed into the house or on the street. Also remember that most people who want to harm you or break into your house, will go the other way rather than tangle with a barking dog.
Good luck.

Answer 7

You want your dog to know you and only you. To trust you. You tell him/teach him what he can do. I taught my boy to climb Oak Trees. I didn't think it could be done but he does it because I showed he could do it and because he trusts and believes he can do it. Share special moments only you and the dog have. No one else. Petting, sleeping, whispering, playing, etc. You should be the only focus of your dog. It is a dangerous road to go down - over socializing. You want your dog to "tolerate" others but not to allow others to lead them. You are their leader. Period. Dogs are like children - they need structure and limitations. My dog doesn't want anything to do with a lot of other dogs. Or people. He is focused on me and I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. He is my boy. Good luck.

Answer 8

umm...i see that you have no answers so I'll take a whack at it.

I was always taught that it's OK as long as you hold out your hand for the dog to smell before you start petting it, this would help-
A) because then the dog would get to know you
B)the dog would get so used to the smelling it would be offended once the dog was unsniffable.(or the person?)

does this make any sense?

Answer 9

No, because you want your dog to be friendly towards other people. The thing is that dogs have good senses and can tell when someone doesn't belong on your property or when you are threatened, and they will protect you. Even my beagle mix will "defend" me if my boyfriend pretends to attack me. He knows when things aren't right. But he's super friendly to anyone we meet when we're out walking.

Answer 10

Yes it is a good thing. Let your dog socialize. If you felt threaten you dog will sense your fear and protect you.