Why don't some people extend their hand out and allow for a dog to sniff u first, and then they pet their head

Question

heads when u are supposed to pet their neck or chest first???

i am just wondering, because my neighbor and i were walking our dogs, i had my bullmastiff, my hubby had our boxer, my neighbor had her German Shepard,

and this family were at the park and and one girl who was about 12 came up to my neighbors german shepard, and just hugged him, and he jumped back and growled at her and showed his teeth, and the parents of the young girl said that the german shepard has to be more socialized....

then the dad just wanted to pet my dog, but didn't ask me, and then when he attempted to, he didn't let my bullie sniff him first, and then my bullie barked at the man........he was just protecting me! he never does that when i allow it, or when they smell u first!!!

he was upset bc he said our dogs are not socialized, and its not true. i said how would u like it if i just grabbed your hand without introducing myself first??!??

give me your opinion

Answer 1

You're right, of course, people should ask before they touch strange animals.

However, you are going to have to be a lot quicker and more forceful in stopping people from grabbing or touching your dogs since your dogs don't like it and pose a danger of biting - then it will be all your fault I guaranty you (at least according to the idiots who come at your dogs).

You might also want to get your dogs more used to people by taking them where people walk, or having friends come in and give your dogs treats so that they associate people with good things, not threats.

Ultimately, it comes down to the dogs losing if they bite someone, even if that someone was dumb enough to put themselves in the position of just about assaulting the dog by grabbing it.

I have had little kids grab my dogs from behind and hug them - I always give the kids the lecture about not touching a strange dog until they get permission - something their parents certainly should have done.
Luckily, my own dogs are not much bothered by this behavior, and I keep my foster dogs out of the way of kids until they are used to people.

Be careful please, firmly tell people not to touch your dogs, socialize your dogs continually, and don't let them bite anyone - there is not way they will not pay the price, perhaps with their lives, of other people's stupidity. Unfortunate, but the way of it as the laws read.

Answer 2

You should speak in a kind but firm tone to the dog and when you have his attention extend your hand palm up. This is important because when people hit out or smack it is always palm down so the dog sees that as a threat. Then AFTER the dog has sniffed you and figured out you are not a threat then move onto a head or neck pat, speaking to him all the time.
Avoid staring into his eyes as dogs see this as a threat and always keep your head higher than the dog. He must realise you are above him in the pecking order. I dont have any problems with dogs they seem to like me, but do follow my suggestions and everything will be OK. Please remember to keep your eye open for any sign of aggression from the dog such as baring teeth, raising hackles, growling and back away if the dog shows any. NEVER allow a child alone near a strange dog.

Answer 3

Boy those people were quit bold in thinking that your dogs would be friendly to a stranger...
I have had that happen to me too, I have a Rough Coat Collie, and we all know that Collies are very friendly dogs, well my dog Pepper, wouldn't let a young child come up to her and pet her. This child was extremely hyper and would keep running around us while we walked, I was hoping the parents would call their child so we could continue our walk, once Pepper and I took a break and sat at our favorite spot the child came running and started to ask me questions about Pepper and the all of a sudden the child started to pat Pepper's head and Pepper was quite shocked on how hard he petted her. Pepper just step back and did a very low growl, I just ask the child to leave my dog alone and then the parents came to me and asked why my dog growled I told them what happened and that my dog is use to someone asking me and me putting my dog on a sit stay so someone can pet her or she can smell them.
I just wish people would be more respectful to people that are walking there dogs and use common sense with dogs and their handlers....

Answer 4

A lot of people are stupid about dogs. Look at me--I'm not even finished with junior high, and I've done so much research on dogs I know more about them and how to take care of them than the average adult four times my age! For example, I know you should put your closed fist, slowly, in front of the dog's nose, and only proceed to the actual petting if the dog makes friendly examples. I also know that patting a dog's head often induces fear (for some reason, that's not like my dog; he will push his head under your hand if you don't pet him, really cute).

It drives me CRAZY when little kids rush to our dog and start screaming and pulling his tail and petting his head so hard I think it'll fall off and petting his fur the wrong way, but Dad says they're not hurting him. >:( Oh yeah right. I used to get upset when I walked toward other peoples' dogs to ask if I could pat them, and the people moved away, but then I realized I look like a fourth grader (yes, I do, ask anyone who knows me) and fourth graders tend to be stupid on how you're supposed to greet a dog.

Ignorance is one of the qualities I absolutely cannot tolerate. I'm positive your dogs WERE socialized--your poor dog just was trying to defend himself, he didn't expect some crazy girl to leap at him and squeeze him!

Answer 5

First of all, you're right. People who don't teach their children how to approach any animal correctly are asking for trouble. I think as responsible pet owners part of our job is to educate people about our pets. Maybe you should say something like, "that's really not safe, dogs tend to protect their owners and they want to be introduced just like you do." You could even say, "here let me show you the best way to greet a dog, and remember always ask the pet's owner if it's okay to pet or play with the dog." I know that puts the ball back in your court, but the bottom line is we do want to be able to take our pets out in public, and I think educating the public is part of the bargain.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, not everyone has proper knowledge on how to approach an unknown dog. Some people assume that if the dog is owned, it's automatically friendly to everyone, from the beginning. They don't realize that you can startle the dog if you don't introduce yourself first.

I really wish there were classes that everyone could take, on how to properly approach a strange dog. Also, to learn that every growl/bark/snap isn't necessarily the DOG'S fault. How you may accidentally provoke a dog without realizing it.

It just seems common sense to ask the owners if the dog is friendly, and if it's OK to pet the dog.....not assume so.

Answer 7

People are complete and total idiots. I deal with this all the time, people just want to pet the dog. You know what I do, if they go to pet my dog without asking, or without putting their hand out and allowing my dog to come to them, I will grab them. I then educate them that what the are doing is stupid and is a sure way to get bitten. People are educated on the proper way to approach a dog these days. Hell, I remember when I was a kid, I was never told by an adult on the proper way to approach a dog. I learned by this great Rottweiler named Junkyard and his handler Mutt. It was G.I. Joe people. I learned so much from that show, and now, all those lessons just get lost. IF we can not teach our children ( ok, I don't have any, be assured they would know how to approach a dog) how to approach a dog, how can we have any hope for world peace?

Answer 8

people stick their hands out cuz it's the easiest thing they can extend far from their bodies and let the dog smell them (ie. get to know them) and still be able to RUN if the dog decides to attack them instead. people who don't stick out their hand first just don't know any better, and besides, that doesn't guarantee that the dog won't bark or attack them later! people pet the dog's head because it's the easiest most accessible place and most dog's like it; i don't think anyone is trying to be stupid on purpose. for sure some dogs need to get more used to a new person than others and if that is so than the OWNER does have a responsibility not to allow children and others to get close to their dog. of course kids will be kids, but if you have a touchy, testy dog, then you need to consider keeping it away from people. you have to make adjustments too, not just the people around you.

Answer 9

I agree that a person should respect your dogs and not just walk up to them.

I took my Pit/Am bull dog with me to daytona for the weekend and i was amazed at how many kids would just come right up to him and try giving him kisses and hugs and there parents would let them.

I was always thought to let the dog or any animal smell me first and then pet the animal...but not on the head b/c the animal may think that your raising your hand to them. We have horses and it's the same thing with them.

I always say that we have to respect every animal if we want to live together...in peace.

Answer 10

The people who approached your dogs are the ones who are not (doggy) socialized. Most dogs do not like to be hugged or have hands reaching over their heads (especially strangers). I do not allow people i do not know approach my dog for this very reason.
I was walking my dog at an off leash open space for dogs one day, and this woman told her toddler that it was ok to approach ANY of the dogs there, because "if they're here, it means they're friendly". Yikes!