Question to Dog Owners

[Jennasis]

It's called "Making conversation with a FOUR YEAR old."

Sheesh. This ranks right up there with some of the more ridiculous things I've read on the boards.

 

[MissyDVC]

It's called "Making conversation with a FOUR YEAR old."

Sheesh. This ranks right up there with some of the more ridiculous things I've read on the boards.

 

[CathrynRose]

What a strange thread.

Perhaps to bring it down to a child's level, as well?

"My Rover can't *wait* to meet you!" makes the child feel special about the dog, too.

How is this irking?

 

[jrmasm]

It's called "Making conversation with a FOUR YEAR old."

Sheesh. This ranks right up there with some of the more ridiculous things I've read on the boards.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. There are at least 2 other topics from today that are just as ridiculous.

 

[LunchladyDoris]

Maybe because dogs actually are excited by seeing a new person? I don't know, next time you can just ask the dog.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I am really confused as to why you are irked about this. A lot of people who have pets (myself included) treat them like their children. I don't see this as anything more than an innocent comment to a four year old. She is probably just excited for the child and dog to meet. Really not seeing how you need to read into anything here.

If I were the dog's owner and saw your thread, I'd be the irked one. Just my honest opinion...

This is exactly what I was thinking. Many, many people treat their dogs like their children. Is the person who said this childless? Maybe a beloved pet is filling that role for them.

My pug LOVES everyone without exception so I could safely tell someone that she would be excited to meet them.

 

[Jennasis]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. There are at least 2 other topics from today that are just as ridiculous.

True that. Maybe we should start a poll each week, ranking the threads on the first few pages from Most ridiculous, to least?

 

[Gabes_mommy]

True that. Maybe we should start a poll each week, ranking the threads on the first few pages from Most ridiculous, to least?

We haven't had enough dramatic threads lately. I'm bored. OK, somebody start a thread about something controversial pronto!

 

[Magic Mom]

My dog IS excited to meet everyone. So it wouldn't be a lie. Do you really worry about stuff like this?

 

[Briarmom]

It's called "Making conversation with a FOUR YEAR old."

Sheesh. This ranks right up there with some of the more ridiculous things I've read on the boards.

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. There are at least 2 other topics from today that are just as ridiculous.

I'll be the judge of that. Links please.

 

[Magic Mom]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. There are at least 2 other topics from today that are just as ridiculous.

I have a hard time believing that. PM with a link please.

 

[louey]

I have 4 dogs and I am clueless as to why this would bother you Maybe being an animal lover I think a little differently, sorry this is just strange to me

 

[Octoberbride03]

Oh ok. Well you're right, technically, the dog doesn't even KNOW he's going to meet someone. But I might say that to a 4 year old in the spirit of talking to a 4 year old. Know what I mean? We say so many nonsense things to little kids when you really start to analyze things (put your tooth under a pillow for a quarter comes to mind). Doesn't seem particularly harmful, but again, I might be missing something. What's the story? Does this happen a lot?

I don't know about you, but if I know ahead of time my dog will be meeting someone new I inform him. I tell him he's going to be meeting someone new or going someplace new. And yes it really does excite him.

 

[DVCMikey]

because dogs love attention, most of them love meeting new people.

our dog goes nuts when new people are introduced to him, and he takes liking to certain ones.

 

[walden]

My dogs are trained, certified and registered Therapy Dogs. They know when to put on the really good behavior when their Therapy Dog vests go on. They pretty much dive into them anticipating a happy visit and yummy treats as we drive home.

No face licking ever, paws up only when asked, generally very, very well behaved.

They are not stupid, nor are they human. They are dogs who love visiting and get very excited at the idea of visitors to the home and adore visiting outside the home!

Not sure what the OP's issue is, to be honest. My out-going pups know "let's visit" (be affectionate) and "stay cool" (used for non-dog loving home visitors who do not want affectionate dogs in close proximity) but they have little comprehension of *who* goes with *what* unless I tell them what to expect.

Their default is affection. They always think that strangers are very cool, unless warned otherwise. They are terrible watch-dogs and very social animals who anticipate lots of cuddles, but will back off on request.

ETA. Whoops, I lost the primary question there. I clicker train with positive reinforcement and lots of food rewards (food gradually phased out).

My answer: Yes, dogs can certainly anticipate a fun interaction given consistent signals and positive reinforcement. No, they will not necessarily anticipate little *Johnny* who they have not met as a specific fun interaction unless you tell them *Johnny is a good thing.

If you have a dog about to meet *Johnny* you can probably train your dog to anticipate happy stuff with the code word *Johnny*. And, yes, your dogs will happily anticipate his visit even if they have never met him before.

 

[arminnie]

why do you tell a 4 year old that your dog is so excited to see them and can hardly wait when said dog and child have NEVER met each other?..

Is this better? " My dog is going to try to rip your face off if you ever meet."

 

[bumbershoot]

Probably comes as no surprise, but it would bug me too. And I would never tell DS that a baby brother/sister was "excited" to see him.

What happens if the dog in question is frightened and tries to bite him? (as happened with BIL's insane dachsunds who HATED children and women with high voices, which meant I had to lower my own voice when I went to BIL's) What happens when the new baby sibling does nothing but cry when it "meets" DS?

I don't like silly things being said to kids just to make conversation.

 

[Magic Mom]

Is this better? " My dog is going to try to rip your face off if you ever meet."

But he might not bite your face off. You are on the right track though.
How about..... My dog, may or may not be interested in seeing you, if he is interested he might be happy but we can't tell since he's a dog. On the other hand he might be interested in an aggressive way and maul your face, even though he has never done that and always greets visitors with a tail wag and a grin.

It's important to tell the truth.

 

[Magic Mom]

Probably comes as no surprise, but it would bug me too. And I would never tell DS that a baby brother/sister was "excited" to see him.

What happens if the dog in question is frightened and tries to bite him? (as happened with BIL's insane dachsunds who HATED children and women with high voices, which meant I had to lower my own voice when I went to BIL's) What happens when the new baby sibling does nothing but cry when it "meets" DS?

I don't like silly things being said to kids just to make conversation.

Good grief!

 

[Liberty Belle]

Because "My dog will act excited to see you, but don't go thinking you're anything special. He is excited to see everyone" just doesn't seem right.