Interacting with stranger dogs
Author
Discussion

CC07 PEU

Original Poster:

2,492 posts

228 months

Monday 18th November 2013
quotequote all
If a dog were parked outside a corner shop by its owner, assuming you liked dogs, is it acceptable to interact with the dog (pet it etc.) or not advisable at all?

I see children and adults try to interact with dogs in this situation and I wondered what dog owners' thoughts on this were.

Edited by CC07 PEU on Monday 18th November 22:06

RB Will

10,702 posts

264 months

Monday 18th November 2013
quotequote all
I wouldn't touch it as you never know what it's temperament is. Although you would hope that nobody would just leave a reactive dog unattended. I personally wouldn't leave mine outside a shop as she gets nervous with strangers and I would be even more worried about someone trying to pinch her.

bexVN

14,690 posts

235 months

Monday 18th November 2013
quotequote all
I tend not to, unless the owners around.

I may speak to it a little but I would not go out of my way to fuss it, unless it came to me as I walked past.

I especially don't like seeing children doing it. Then again I don't agree with leaving a dog in such a potentialy vulnerable situation.

Catz

4,852 posts

235 months

Monday 18th November 2013
quotequote all
I'll speak to the dog and see a reaction.

If the reaction is a waggy tail and trying to get to me then I'd say hello and pat it.
If the reaction is mediocre I'd maybe hold out a hand to get sniffed and see from there.
If there's no reaction I'd steer well clear.

I do tend to find that dogs tied up outside a shop aren't interested in anything except their owner returning to them asap.

Tiggsy

10,261 posts

276 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
leave it alone.

Also - dont sit on someones car bonnet or fondle their child! Leave people stuff alone...dog included.

MuffDaddy

1,491 posts

229 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
Catz said:
I'll speak to the dog and see a reaction.

If the reaction is a waggy tail and trying to get to me then I'd say hello and pat it.
If the reaction is mediocre I'd maybe hold out a hand to get sniffed and see from there.
If there's no reaction I'd steer well clear.

I do tend to find that dogs tied up outside a shop aren't interested in anything except their owner returning to them asap.
^ This.

Kiltie

7,505 posts

270 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
Catz said:
I'll speak to the dog and see a reaction.

If the reaction is a waggy tail and trying to get to me then I'd say hello and pat it.
If the reaction is mediocre I'd maybe hold out a hand to get sniffed and see from there.
If there's no reaction I'd steer well clear.

I do tend to find that dogs tied up outside a shop aren't interested in anything except their owner returning to them asap.
Absolutely on the button.

Justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

266 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
Catz said:
I'll speak to the dog and see a reaction.

If the reaction is a waggy tail and trying to get to me then I'd say hello and pat it.
If the reaction is mediocre I'd maybe hold out a hand to get sniffed and see from there.
If there's no reaction I'd steer well clear.

I do tend to find that dogs tied up outside a shop aren't interested in anything except their owner returning to them asap.
Not a bad summary of the interaction between Catz and dogs.

size13

2,033 posts

281 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
Catz said:
I do tend to find that dogs tied up outside a shop aren't interested in anything except their owner returning to them asap with a sausage roll.
I've modified this for when I leave Eddie outside the sandwich shop!

mustdash

360 posts

152 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
I don't leave eiher of my dogs outside a shop, more because they would happily trot off with anyone that showed them some fuss and I am paranoid that someone would take advantage of that!

Kiltie

7,505 posts

270 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
Justayellowbadge said:
Not a bad summary of the interaction between Catz and dogs.
biglaugh

digger the goat

2,844 posts

169 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
Tiggsy said:
leave it alone.
Last week, my friend was approached by an unattended GSD. Seemed friendly, wagging tail and wanted a fuss. As she removed her hand...it turned.

16 stitches to a very nasty wound on her wrist ( could have been very much worse ).

She is an experienced owner and trainer ! And yes...should have known better...

Autopilot

1,335 posts

208 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
Tiggsy said:
leave it alone.

Also - dont sit on someones car bonnet or fondle their child! Leave people stuff alone...dog included.
This!!

Before I had a dog, I'd not think twice about interacting with or making a fuss of a dog. We got our dog (Dobermann) from 8 weeks old and have now had him for 14 months. He's extremly dominant, willful and due to his nature has to have a fairly strict regime. When people come to our home, we give them a treat to give to him before interacting. This shows him that we are in control of the situation. If somebody knocks at the door, the dog is also marched in to another room and never present when we open the door or he thinks we have to have him present to check everything is ok. As daft as some of it may sound, if we deviate from the regime, he turns in to a right little st and the training starts to be undone and old habits start again.

Due to the effort that goes in to him (and believe me, it really is required), I do not want people approaching him unless I say so. Based on our rules, I won't interact with anybody else's dog unless told it's ok.

Catz

4,852 posts

235 months

Tuesday 19th November 2013
quotequote all
Justayellowbadge said:
Not a bad summary of the interaction between Catz and dogs.
laugh Very good!