question for dog owners!

[tinks77]

It wouldn't offend me as I actually have 2 old but very bouncy dogs, they are fine already children but get over excited and jump up so I would rather a child came up to me and asked so I can hold their collars so they can pet them rather than one of them jumping up at a child. To be honest I've got staffie crosses so most people cross the road away from us lol

 

[SeonaidMac]

Tinks i know what you mean. My dogs are Northern Inuits and they look like wolves but their appearance belies their nature they're big softies but can be quite bouncy but people see them and think oooh big scary dogs.... i have 3 of them and 2 sharpei x german shepherds... so 5 big woofits... aged 5.5, 3.5, 1.5, 18 weeks and 10 weeks lol... got my hands full with them and a 3.5yr old stepson lol x

 

[PyscoFalcon]

Oooo I love wolf like dogs like Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies etc Sooo soft and snuggly!

 

[dyscochick]

kids are always trying to approach gizmo cos he looks very puppy like. He loves kids but i hate if they run up and try and pet him without stopping to check or ask. If they ask I am more than happy to, but we had one little one who was trying to poke him in the eyes, Luckily we were there and moved Gizmo away and explained that it wasn't a nice way to stroke a dog. Giz was fine with it but the parents were there and didn't admonish the child or say anything! Our kids, I hope, will be bought up to check with the owner, even though we have a dog and they will be dog aware. It scares me that parents will let kids just run up to any dog. Sometimes in our park the parents are that far away from their kids (i'm talking 2-4 year olds) they have no idea what they are doing!

 

[willowwisp]

We have a massive black dog and the amount of kids who run up and put their hands in his mouth, grab his ears/face etc is unbelievable. Luckily he's exceptionally good with children, the smaller they are the more careful he is, but it makes me so cross because if he did react to that sudden and smoothing dive into his personal space he would be branded as dangerous.

You also get people on the flip side of the coin, who see him coming from 100 yards (on the lead and walking beautifully) and scream and whisk their children away giving you filthy looks.

We've never been at all offended when people have asked whether they, or their children, can say hello to him. It's the best way to do it, and it's best to teach children how to approach dogs, hands out grabbing at them is enough to upset lots of dogs.

 

[Chloe2510]

No way would it offend anyone! Well it shouldn't anyway! I own a Japanese Akita which is meant to be a vicious breed but my Emmy is a soft lump! I prefer when people ask me if its ok to stroke her because to me that's good parenting, even though I know Emmy would never do anything as she's grown up with kids and dogs, but you should always be overly cautious when it comes to petting dogs you don't know, you never know how they are going to react so what you are doing is very sensible! X

 

[Pudds86]

Nope its a very good thing to teach your children. I have even had to teach OH!!

I always let Cam look and ask if they can be stroked. He assumes they all want cuddles like ours! You should always tell them if the owner says you can pet to let the dog smell you first and to never reach over their head for a stroke. Just under the chin x

Sent from my shit hot phone! Fo shizzle home girls.

 

[BabysMomma]

It wouldn't offend me as I actually have 2 old but very bouncy dogs, they are fine already children but get over excited and jump up so I would rather a child came up to me and asked so I can hold their collars so they can pet them rather than one of them jumping up at a child. To be honest I've got staffie crosses so most people cross the road away from us lol

I have two full bred staffies and yep they are bouncers! So excitable but a darling with kids. They know my LO is a LO and are so gentle with her and she adores them both. LO favours the slightly nuttier one of the two because she lays on her back and rolls around which makes LO laugh.

The kids in our area all adore them and always ask before touching them but I find it's the older people as in the kid's mothers who cross the road when we're out and about

Alice - in answer to your question hun, not at all. It wouldn't offend me in the slightest. I'd actually welcome being asked beforehand. Not only is it sensible but there have been times when I've said no due to one of mine having recurring issues with a sore ear and whilst she has never ever snapped/growled when her ear is touched when I've to put drops in it, why should I let someone poke and prod her when she isn't feeling herself? I wouldn't let people poke and prod my LO and I feel that my doggies deserve the same respect iykwim.

 

[jaybay]

It actually offends me if people DON'T ask, I think it's common respect! My dog would never hurt a fly, but I think it's just respectful to ask me first. Especially with small children because my dog is rather large and if he even accidentally steps on a toe, it hurts, so I have to make sure I have him sitting and next to me before I allow strangers to pet him!

 

[Seb]

I think that's very sensible and I wouldn't be offended in the slightest. I have 2 small dogs, one who can be aggressive with strangers so def worth asking.xx

 

[Phoenix0306]

Definitely the right thing to do hun

I have what is classed as a large dog - Alsatian Collie Cross, who is totally placid - but where children are concerned I would never be too careful. Saying that even with my other dog a Jack Russell, I was ever so careful!

I think it all depends on the owners