What would you have done?

[luvwinnie]

We were walking outside of PetSmart yesterday when suddenly I saw "something" rush toward us and then there was this little kid there petting Winnie, our bulldog. The kid's mother NEVER said to him "Don't RUN up to strange dogs...ask the owner before petting them." Not a word. Luckily, Winnie is not a jumpy dog, but many dogs would have seen this is as a threat...scared me! We just walked away, but next time I really think I should say something such as "Never touch a dog you don't know without asking first." Of course, I'll probably have some mother telling me to not tell her child what to do...

 

[anewvance]

I would have just said in a very light tone... "do you like doggies? try this, let the dog stiff your hand to let him know you want to be friends before you touch him... it will keep you safe" and if they don't see snooty about it then add in "always make sure you ask the pets owner if it's ok to pet him". Don't do it in a demanding way, kind of do it in a educators way like you are assisting them in how to handle petting animals. This may not make sense... but I hope it helps a bit.

 

[luvwinnie]

That makes perfect sense actually...I don't want to come across like a "mean lady"!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I step in front of my dogs and stop them. We have this happen often. Our puppy Butters is a jumpy dog and is still training.

 

[andromedaslove]

Some people are completely brain dead when it comes to animals. A couple of months ago I had to take my 6.5 yr old yellow lab to the vet, because he had a 10lb free weight fall of the weight bench onto his foot. Anyway, while we are checking in at the front desk this woman was there with her brand new puppy. Sampson (my lab) was lying down on the floor calm and relaxed, and this woman was letting her puppy jump all over poor Sampson. He is usually a very calm and patient dog, but he was hurt and not in the best mood, he growled at the puppy and got up and moved. The lady let her pup climb all over him again. Finally I had to tell her that although Sampson is a lab, and very good tempered, that he is actually in pain and probably isn't too thrilled with your pup climbing on him... so.... if you don't want to pay for your pup to get stitched up today I suggest you keep him next to you.

Now if Sampson had hurt the pup she probably would have gone off on me for having a vicious animal

I have had my dogs since before my kids were born, and I have taught them from day one how to approach a strange animal, so that they are less likely to end up getting bitten. I don't understand why some people don't understand that.

Dana

 

[Marseeya]

While I completely agree with what you're saying, I would hope that people would have the good sense not to take a temperamental dog to PetSmart in the first place!

I'd never take my dog there for just that reason.

 

[tiggersmom2]

While I completely agree with what you're saying, I would hope that people would have the good sense not to take a temperamental dog to PetSmart in the first place!
I'd never take my dog there for just that reason.

I agree. I definitely don't agree with parents allowing their children to touch strange dogs but I would hope no one would bring a "testy" dog into a store such as PetSmart.

 

[Andrea]

my husband has said something to people before. We take our dog and he takes one of his snakes now his snake is about 7 feet long and she is big. People will just bump right into him not even notice it and even some adults will walk right up to the snake and my husband and start playing with the snake without even asking.

Some adults even gave him and attiude for him saying something nicely to the people

 

[diznygirl]

We were walking outside of PetSmart yesterday when suddenly I saw "something" rush toward us and then there was this little kid there petting Winnie, our bulldog. The kid's mother NEVER said to him "Don't RUN up to strange dogs...ask the owner before petting them." Not a word. Luckily, Winnie is not a jumpy dog, but many dogs would have seen this is as a threat...scared me! We just walked away, but next time I really think I should say something such as "Never touch a dog you don't know without asking first." Of course, I'll probably have some mother telling me to not tell her child what to do...

I've told my 2 yr old daughter - but since when do children listen?

And I have been lectured before about it - I just smile and make nice. We are still in the learning process. And each encounter with a dog is another opportunity to teach her how to be careful.

 

[bigolive9]

I agree. I definitely don't agree with parents allowing their children to touch strange dogs but I would hope no one would bring a "testy" dog into a store such as PetSmart.

PetSmart does have training classes. Perhaps someone might be bringing a young (or older) dog there for training. My friends have a Chihuahua that they are taking for classes currently. She is not really well socialized with other people and animals, but the obedience classes are helping her with that. I realize that she is a small dog, but a small dog can still bite when it is startled!

 

[Aidensmom]

We have an exceptionally friendly dog, but when children have done this, I have said something in an "educational" way. I have had "snippy" dogs in the past, and it can be a true danger to the child.

If the parents have never had dogs, they may not even realize the danger. Personally, I would rather know that I gave a child some knowledge to protect them than to be afraid that a couple of adults I have never met and will probably never meet again had a problem with me saying something.

We had a new family with 4 kids move in across the street from us a little while back, and when I took our dog out one day they all came running over. I did tell them that they should always ask before approaching a dog, because some dogs can be scared and will in turn snip at you. I told them my dog was friendly, but that they should offer a closed hand first for the dog to sniff before petting him. After explaining this, the youngest child, who was 4, came over and offered his hand to the dog. His siblings were in amazement. Apparantly he was terrified of dogs because did have a bad experience trying to pet one once. The little bit of "education" he got helped him to get over that fear. He now LOVES to come pet my dog when I take him out.