I think you missed the author's main point, which was summarized concisely in the very last sentence of the article.
Or, at least this is how it should be for *most* dogs and dog owners. IPO competitors aside.
I think you missed the author's main point, which was summarized concisely in the very last sentence of the article.I do not let random people pet my puppy or my dog. Would we let random people pet or hold our babies? Probably not.
Advocate for your dog. Get him out and about to see different environments but don't let random people pet, hold, fondle, pick up or lean over your dog!
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I think the point was that you need to "read your dog" and know that the dog understands you are not going to let every stranger out there "hug the puppy." IPO competitors have dogs that can be handled and be petted (in fact they must tolerate a certain degree of this and it is tested in the Bh). The dogs usually prefer not (but not always).I think you missed the author's main point, which was summarized concisely in the very last sentence of the article.
Or, at least this is how it should be for *most* dogs and dog owners. IPO competitors aside.
Lol! This is awesome.I just said did he scare you... good.. now you know how he feels..
THIS, at least as far as I'm concerned.I think you missed the author's main point, which was summarized concisely in the very last sentence of the article.
Or, at least this is how it should be for *most* dogs and dog owners. IPO competitors aside.
Actually have someone else who says, "He would rather not." This also confuses people (but there are some who keep on coming and then they are told not to in no uncertain terms).THIS, at least as far as I'm concerned.
People regularly ask me if they can pet my dogs. My response, these days and for the last year, is "I don't know, ask them."
This confuses the crap out of them but my dogs can decide to interact - or not. Overwhelmingly they decide to not. That's cool, but the offer is there should they want it.
And it's spreading because I used to get baffled looks and have to explain what I meant. Not so much these days.
I would love to be able to do this, however, I would not consider my reactive boy to be subtle when it comes to "please get away from me" and still people think he's friendly.THIS, at least as far as I'm concerned.
People regularly ask me if they can pet my dogs. My response, these days and for the last year, is "I don't know, ask them."
This confuses the crap out of them but my dogs can decide to interact - or not. Overwhelmingly they decide to not. That's cool, but the offer is there should they want it.
And it's spreading because I used to get baffled looks and have to explain what I meant. Not so much these days.
Yeah, the answer with my reactive dog for many years was 'no', because people are stupid. These days she's more subtle, but she also was helped enormously by me being rude and doing her yelling for her - and learning to park herself between my legs while I did.I would love to be able to do this, however, I would not consider my reactive boy to be subtle when it comes to "please get away from me" and still people think he's friendly.
I don't get it either, and am free in saying 'no' if I"m otherwise busy or just don't feel like it because I am not the most social person. But if I have time and the dog is interested? Sure, go ahead. They're not going to jump on, poke, or scratch anyone. Mostly they're going to sit, get pet for a second and wander off (they're not exuberantly friendly, either). If it's a kid I kneel down with my dog (whichever one) to supervise more closely than the parents.Actually have someone else who says, "He would rather not." This also confuses people (but there are some who keep on coming and then they are told not to in no uncertain terms).
I say No. My dog would be fine but why?
I say No for one additional reason. If my dog does a single thing "untoward" (such as a friendly poke at someone with a foot and scratch them) it could turn into something less positive. NY.. land or Lawyers and Law Suits and a German Shepherd dog.. and suddenly I am reported as having a "dangerous dog" (which he is most assuredly NOT). Golden Retrievers get a pass.. my breed? Not so much.
I would rather be thought rude than go through that nonsense with some unknown person (but my first reason for saying No is I advocate for my dog).
I never understood this need by JQ Public to pet strange dogs. If they want a dog to pet, they can get their own dog.
At events (and I have not attended an agility trial in years) I leave my dog in the truck or trailer (crated) unless we are checking in with the judge, competing or I am walking the dog for a break/potty. The dogs (and this is pretty universal at IGP events) are not wandering on leash with handler among the spectators. The only dogs are those on the field and those waiting to go (usually away from the spectators). Sometimes, during the Obedience phase, someone may be out among spectators with a puppy and, if the puppy approaches then petting can happen, of course.I don't get it either, and am free in saying 'no' if I"m otherwise busy or just don't feel like it because I am not the most social person. But if I have time and the dog is interested? Sure, go ahead. They're not going to jump on, poke, or scratch anyone. Mostly they're going to sit, get pet for a second and wander off (they're not exuberantly friendly, either). If it's a kid I kneel down with my dog (whichever one) to supervise more closely than the parents.
Also, frankly speaking, my dogs attend MANY performance events that people attend as spectators because the y're interested in the sport and/or the dogs. Having dogs there who can act as good ambassadors gives them a more positive experience, teaches them a thing or two, and increases the odds they'll show up in the future as competitors or will even jump in and volunteer at the event that's going on now (moving equipment, leash running, carrying score sheets to the secretary, in the ring setting bars - basic stuff). But mostly I think that being a welcoming committee at those events rather than being standoffish or rude is an important thing we do for the community. If my dogs don't want to be pet, sure, they won't be and i'll be the welcoming committee on my own - but if the dog is interested, the dog can participate in that, too, and add a little more to the positive impression. And, hey, if they don't I give a FRIENDLY 2 second educational blip on how you can tell the dog isn't into it right now and move on.
Dog sports are going to DIE if we keep being elite and holier than thou rather than welcoming new, even very green and not dogsavvy people, in .
Yeah. I mean I prefer my dogs be somewhat aloof temperamentally, but I want them confident and happy and frankly if your reward history doesn't stand up to some occasional petting, or even treating and playing with, by other people you've got some ISSUES.I think that some competitors can be over-zealous and misguided in their efforts to prevent reinforcement that comes from outside sources.
Like ... *I am my dog's SOLE source of reinforcement*. So don't go near him, and for gawd's sake certainly don't pet him. Believing that prevention or deprivation will somehow net the person a better score and a more reliable performance during a trial.
Not much truth to it, really. And sometimes, it just gets carried WAY too far.
Admiration. It's a large, integral part of the human condition.I never understood this need by JQ Public to pet strange dogs. If they want a dog to pet, they can get their own dog.
you know what I get requests for a lot, lately?Admiration. It's a large, integral part of the human condition.
I've learned to embrace it, mostly. And always discerningly of course.