Who else makes kids cry?

[independentlyawesome]

Not on purpose

I take my dog on lots of adventures, and there tend to be a ton of people around when the weather’s nice. She’s very well behaved & well trained, but she doesn’t like being petted. Unfortunately she’s absolutely adorable & every single little kid want to pet her! For her sake, I always tell them politely “no” and most kids just look disappointed. But last weekend marked the third little kid who burst into tears when I told them my dog didn’t want to be petted :lol:

Of course I also got read the riot act by a mother whose kids wanted to feed my dog an ice cream cone & I politely declined… oy! I gave the whole family a lecture on cavities in response, and the mom looked rather taken aback B)

… I’m not totally heartless, but I put my dog’s welfare above a stranger’s kid’s entertainment. And the reactions I get are pretty ridiculous sometimes.

[ladyj79]

HAHAHA Both funny stories. I’d kind of love to have witnessed the latter.

I made some girl look quite put out while walking my two rather large and rambunctious boxer crosses recently. She had…something small and fluffy and asked if her dog could “come say hello” to mine. My girls are fine with small dogs, but seriously, the last thing I need is for them to randomly decide this stranger’s dog is a chew toy. My friend’s greyhound did eat the neighbors small fuzzy thing who wandered through the cyclone fencing, I can’t handle that kind of stress.

[Plainandtall]

Petting is a strange thing- and I’ve seriously considered that it needs to be studied. it’s VERY important to humans.

I’ve worked as a commercial carriage driver for 1/4 century and you can imagine the amount of petting I have observed and facilitated (and occasionally denied)… for many- the very first time touching a horse. For some people kind of creepily spiritual… like, whoa… take it back a notch.

But there were a few times when for whatever reason- petting was not a good idea- one horse, Buster- just really didn’t like petting- he didn’t mind his job- but putting up with petting was not in his contract. other times, maybe the horse was just catching a nap and I didn’t want him disturbed -again- so I decided to be a voice and say that I’d rather they don’t wake him up. Rather than appreciate that I was really in tune with my horses and not shy about advocating for them- or in the case of Buster- protecting the innocent fingers- boom- suddenly i was the meanest B… on Earth.

It’s interesting that friendly, nice, considerate people who want to pet will turn on you in an INSTANT if you deny the request. The amount of anger (or in your case sadness) inspired by the rejection does not seem to match whatever it is (you try to name it) that could have been gained by the simple act of their hand to feel the fur/warmth/shape of a furry creature. It’s a real eye opener- and makes me think that petting is a much bigger deal in the human psyche than it may appear on the surface. (perhaps explaining the incredible success of therapy dogs who visit hospitals and nursing homes)

[ladyj79]

And therapy ponies

http://www.horse-therapy.org/about-us.html

[Bicoastal]

Round of applause for standing up for your dog. It is hard to say no, especially with onlooking adults (who suddenly let YOU police/entertain their children) who think Precious deserves whatever whim Precious desires.

[make_x_it_x_so]

[QUOTE=Plainandtall;7707273]
Petting is a strange thing- and I’ve seriously considered that it needs to be studied. it’s VERY important to humans.

I’ve worked as a commercial carriage driver for 1/4 century and you can imagine the amount of petting I have observed and facilitated (and occasionally denied)… for many- the very first time touching a horse. For some people kind of creepily spiritual… like, whoa… take it back a notch.

But there were a few times when for whatever reason- petting was not a good idea- one horse, Buster- just really didn’t like petting- he didn’t mind his job- but putting up with petting was not in his contract. other times, maybe the horse was just catching a nap and I didn’t want him disturbed -again- so I decided to be a voice and say that I’d rather they don’t wake him up. Rather than appreciate that I was really in tune with my horses and not shy about advocating for them- or in the case of Buster- protecting the innocent fingers- boom- suddenly i was the meanest B… on Earth.

It’s interesting that friendly, nice, considerate people who want to pet will turn on you in an INSTANT if you deny the request. The amount of anger (or in your case sadness) inspired by the rejection does not seem to match whatever it is (you try to name it) that could have been gained by the simple act of their hand to feel the fur/warmth/shape of a furry creature. It’s a real eye opener- and makes me think that petting is a much bigger deal in the human psyche than it may appear on the surface. (perhaps explaining the incredible success of therapy dogs who visit hospitals and nursing homes)[/QUOTE]

I’d guess that the human desire to “pet” things stems back to the mutual grooming of many of our closest relatives (watch any documentary on primates and you’ll see how important grooming is for bonding!). It’s the same reason going to the hair salon and having them wash your hair feels so nice. Wired somewhere very deep into our physiology is the idea that touching=bonding, and I believe this is where our desire to pet animals stems from.

Of course, it doesn’t excuse the rudeness of people who are denied that wish, but it at least maybe explains why people always want to pet everything!

[LauraKY]

Children always wanted to pet my cocker (a fear biter if cornered) and never my collie, who just loved the attention.

I do make teenage boys cry, does that count? At least I did when my daughter was a teenager.

[Chall]

Op, what breed is your dog?
I had a white fluffy must pet samoyed. She was ok with it unless they pulled hair.

[Mara]

Lance loves to be petted, even on his face, even by random strangers. He whines happily and wags his tail when he sees people.

Simon, on the other hand, is shy and suspicious. He pulls away and I have to tell kids he doesn’t want to be fussed over.

I frequently have people ask me if my dogs bite. Given that my neighborhood is surrounded by a few “iffy” areas, I usually give one of two responses, depending on my mood and who is asking:

“Only if I tell them to.”
“No, but I do.”

The latter gets me some funny looks!

[HorsefaceDee]

My rescue scottie doesn’t like kids and hyper dogs much. So instead of risking anything I just tell people not to pet or let their dogs sniff him. Most people in my area get it.

One lady insisted her little floofy dog was “friendly and it would be ok” I kept saying to reel her dog in on his flexi. She didn’t listen (I repeated myself 3X!!) so I finally screamed…“does your dog like his face? if he does then get him away from my dog!” Are you deaf!!? Oh the look I got…it was hilarious

The same with the idiot parents who take their kids who are face high for a walk thro the dog park to “pet the dogs”…Again I ask parents, “does your kid like his face?”

…People don’t get scotties. It is frustrating now because of the commonwealth games…everyone wants to pet the scotties…but they can be real a$$holes.

[bits619]

When I’m out with my two small (30lb and 17ish lb) poodle mixes, everyone wants to pet the smaller white one… Who is likely giving them the hairy eyeball suspicious lean-back. They never seem to want to pet the black one who is stepping forward gently with an easy tail wag and calm expression.
Black one is normally the household troll, just a wretched little curly mess of attitude, but put him in front of strangers and kids on a walk and he’s Mr Personality.

It’s the same with my parents’ two big poodle mixes. The yellow neurotic one really has no interest in being accosted by strange humans, but the black one who people think looks ‘scary’ hasn’t met a stranger.

[chestnutmarebeware]

Please explain to me why parents will blithely allow their small children to approach a dog that’s clearly terrified, backed into a corner and growling (like at the vet’s office), without asking if it’s OK, or appearing to care whether their kids are in danger?

My adopted ACD was a puppy-mill dog, and fear-aggressive, and I manage him in public by keeping him away from people who frighten him. But the clueless parents around here just blow me away!

I can see how people might not know how to read dog body language, but this behavior couldn’t possibly be misinterpreted.

I finally snapped at one woman, after gently telling her kid three times that he shouldn’t pet Blue, and she acted like I was not only unreasonable but a complete psycho as well. I even moved, and she watched her kid follow me to the other side of the waiting room, saying “Go pet the nice doggie”.

Probably a rhetorical question, but I really can’t get over the stupidity of some people…

[independentlyawesome]

[QUOTE=Chall;7708049]
Op, what breed is your dog?
I had a white fluffy must pet samoyed. She was ok with it unless they pulled hair.[/QUOTE]

Genuine shelter mutt
But we think there’s a strong Chow Chow influence - independent, stubborn, fiercely loyal, and a very fluffy child magnet.

I knew COTH would have my back .

It is interesting how much emotion is put in the request to pet a dog. Since my dog looks happy walking with me, people really can’t wrap their head around the idea she really doesn’t want them to hug her!

[AffirmedHope]

You know, I don’t mind people coming up and asking if they can pet my dog.

I do mind how the world sees as though they are entitled to pet, touch, feed or pick up any dog they see “because it’s a doggie and it’s cute!!” and then get offended when the owner says no.

My dog is my personal property. If I say no, you better smile, say thank you and walk away, not argue with me. How would you like it if I asked you if I can go and take your car for a drive. Better yet, how would you like it if I just got in and took it for a joy ride without asking?

Either smile, nod and say thank you or walk away grumbling under your breath to your spawn about what a big meanie I am, but show a basic level of respect to me and my property.

[regalace]

I just had a huge reality check today about people and dogs. I was in a group of children’s librarians and they were talking about the Paws For Reading dogs. They said a lot of kids had never SEEN a dog in real life. These kids are 5 or 6 years old! To me it is logical that a dog or horse, just like a person, wouldn’t want a stranger running up to touch them, but they really honestly have No Clue At All. I guess pet owners really need to educate as we can do so. It’s just tragic to me, I can’t imagine not ever having pets as a child.

[regalace]

I just had a huge reality check today about people and dogs. I was in a group of children’s librarians and they were talking about the Paws For Reading dogs. They said a lot of kids had never SEEN a dog in real life. These kids are 5 or 6 years old! To me it is logical that a dog or horse, just like a person, wouldn’t want a stranger running up to touch them, but they really honestly have No Clue At All. I guess pet owners really need to educate as we can do so. It’s just tragic to me, I can’t imagine not ever having pets as a child.

[RockinHorse]

You have a dog cute enough to cause children to cry when they can’t pet it and yet you post no pictures?!?!?!? That is almost enough to make me cry

[PhoenixFarm]

[QUOTE=regalace;7709342]
I just had a huge reality check today about people and dogs. I was in a group of children’s librarians and they were talking about the Paws For Reading dogs. They said a lot of kids had never SEEN a dog in real life. These kids are 5 or 6 years old! To me it is logical that a dog or horse, just like a person, wouldn’t want a stranger running up to touch them, but they really honestly have No Clue At All. I guess pet owners really need to educate as we can do so. It’s just tragic to me, I can’t imagine not ever having pets as a child.[/QUOTE]

This. Earlier this year DS and his pony were invited to lead the 4th of July Children’s parade for our small town. We arrived about 2 hours early, parked at the head of the parade route, and unloaded him so we could decorate him and let him look around.

We had a steady stream of visitors, and I was gobsmacked how many kids, not meanly, tried to poke him in the eye. Again, this was not bratty aggression, it was stroke the neck, touch the ear, go for the eye. They clearly had NO notion that the pony might not care to be poked in the eye. Upon correction, they were happy to know the right way to pet him and did great . . . And I live in a pretty rural area!

Similarly I ended up waking the parade route to keep kids from ramming him with their bikes and scooters. After all, the other bikes and scooters didn’t care.

Did I mention he is The Best Pony In The Whole Wide World?!

While I certainly understand advocating for your pet, it makes me want to squire a bunch of kid friendly critters and walk the suburban streets as outreach. So terribly sad.

[equinelerium]

[QUOTE=independentlyawesome;7707207]

Of course I also got read the riot act by a mother whose kids wanted to feed my dog an ice cream cone & I politely declined… oy! I gave the whole family a lecture on cavities in response, and the mom looked rather taken aback.[/QUOTE]

This is fantastic. I could have used a brain like yours a few months back while pregnant and dodging unwanted belly touches and “advice.”

[toady123]

I grew up with a GSD and never had anyone approach or ask to pet her. We now have two labs and I am still getting used to the fact that people will approach without warning to pet them, hug them etc. Once I was standing chatting with someone, looked down and a child was literally draped over my dog’s back - just chillin’. Fortunately my dogs are extremely kid friendly and don’t mind being mauled. But strangers don’t know that!!

Some do ask before approaching and I always let them come over for a supervised pet. And I always thank them for asking in order to reinforce the behaviour.

I find other dogs a bigger nuisance. Other owners will allow their dog to barge up on you and stick their noses in your dogs face (or butt). My black lab does not tolerate this well and will snarf at dogs who try. We then get an indigent look from owners as if it’s my problem that they’re idiots who own a dog with no manners that they allow to approach without permission or warning. My chocolate is very submissive and hits the dirt when the same thing happens. So then it’s trying to get the other dog off, and peel her up from the sidewalk.

I generally keep a very wide berth as a result.