Do you get offended when people pet your dog without asking?

Question

Do you get offended when people pet your dog without asking?

Answer 1

I get offended when people TRY to pet my dogs without asking, or without at least pausing to let my dogs sniff them and approach them first.  

My breed is known for being aloof with strangers and both of mine will back off and avoid anyone who simply tries to "swoop" down on them without letting THEM approach the person, first.  So, no one has yet been successful in petting my dogs without asking.  And it gives me the chance to tell the person...."Stand still and let them approach YOU first, please."  

I did have a Boxer with some behavioral issues that took me a couple years to work out, she didn't like strangers and would often growl and lunge at people who approached her the wrong way.  Folks who approached her and tried to pet her without asking me first, got the reaction they deserved, LOL>  

Answer 2

NO i take it as a sign that my pomerian gives off a "Love Me" vibe...

Answer 3

I don't get offended, my boy loves the extra attention. But if I'm taking my girls out for a walk Shadow doesn't get along well with people she doesn't know suddenly petting her, so I advice them not to do so.

I would get angry though if they petted Shadow while she was still sending them warning signals and they still tried to pat her.

Answer 4

yes i think that it is rude they have no reason to touch my dog without asking.

Answer 5

Nope my dog is friendly as thats probably y she hasnt come back :(

Answer 6

not at all, it only gets me a little stressed when everyone wants to pet her at the same time. It also frusterates me when they only pet one of the dogs, then the other feels left out =(

Answer 7

I don't get offended, but my dog has a few behavioral issues that I am working on, and I really wish people wouldn't.  I find this especially problematic with children.  They run up to my dog (which makes him bark) and try to pet him (even though he is barking).  While I know my dog won't bite, they don't know that and I think people need to be better educated on the correct way to approach a dog you don't know.

Answer 8

Yes i do! I know Duke does since he is skiddish around peole he don't know. Dakota doesn't know a stranger.But I don't let people just come and pet them. They must ask first if they don't I walk away fast!

Answer 9

No, little kids always come up to my dog, so why not let them pet him. As long as he doesnt bite right?

Answer 10

No but my dog does.  Grrrrrrr.

Answer 11

No, I don't get offended, but I wish they would ask, she likes to jump on people and I don't need people getting anxious because a dog jumped on them.

Answer 12

I feel irritated, but it's okay because my puppy nips at half of them. He's very picky when it comes to people touching him. He loves children though, aha.

Answer 13

Yes I do because it spreds germs and diseases. If they have a comon disease and they are sweaty or wet they can spread it in just one drop.My dog will not bark but one girl pulled his tail and I was like gotta go because if she did it again I would have pumbled here into the concrete with my fists. I am very agressive towards small kids who hurt dogs. If my dog does whine because somebody yanks its tail I will pumbel them with my foot. Self defence laws are very clear. (If someone is in pain because of another being you can step in and defend them) Dogs are someones in many peoples views.

Answer 14

if i was a dog owner(wich im not)

i wud be 4/10% offended

cuz they just wanna touch it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... annoyed with my sis sorry about that)

Answer 15

My personal guy doesn't give them a chance to pet him, he's come a long way with people but is still shy and tends to run away and hide if they come up without me atleast acknowledging them. Typically I need to talk to the person for some time, if they ignore him he'll usually approach them, they need to know the secret "I'm safe" hand signal before he will let them pet him too. I'm still planning on getting the "I'm shy" collar cover for this guy.

My other guys, it depends on the dog, my outgoing guys will usually demand pet's from strangers and with those guys it's doesn't matter. I'm fairly choosy when it comes to these guys and normally select stable and outgoing dogs for foster/rescue. Their outgoingness helps open the door to bring up they are available for adoption and pass off my card.  Normally they wear "adopt me" bandannas in public inviting attention and pets.

Answer 16

No, but my dog has bad anxiety problems, and so it doesn't help him.  If they asked I could calm him and let them pet him, but if they just go up to him he gets so distressed and runs away terrified.

Answer 17

I don't get offended, but I am cautious as my dog will bite if startled. And I don't want my dog catching colds.