Do you allow strangers to pet your puppy? - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

firespydar · 06-01-2009, 10:25 PM

So i have been having this problem with my puppy which is really getting annoying and out of hand, i know i am to be blamed for it, he sees strangers as the highlights of our walk, pet machines.. seeking attention from every stranger we see, wanting to be petted by everyone we meet, i always saw it as socializing him, anytime we go to the dog park, most of the time he will just ignore the other dogs and just go to the pet owners to be petted and even relax there till its time for us to leave, i have been considering totally to stop allowing strangers to pet him 100%, except for maybe kids any input on this matter would be helpful, and how to deal with it.

von Cosack Dobermann · 06-01-2009, 10:31 PM

Pick and choose when you want to. Theres nothing wrong with a very friendly dog, but your incharge so you dictate who he meets and what the circumstances are. Do everything with a positive energy and make all encounters good ones. Train that little boy up. Von.

**Dobejazz** · 06-01-2009, 10:35 PM

I allow Toula to be petted she does PR work for the rescue and is great at it - she also knows a leave it/nevermind command in case we are out - I don't know why but not everyone wants to pet be leaned on by her

KristenC · 06-01-2009, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobejazz

I allow Toula to be petted she does PR work for the rescue and is great at it - she also knows a leave it/nevermind command in case we are out - I don't know why but not everyone wants to pet be leaned on by her

Same here, with both my dogs. If we're doing a PR event or home visit, petting is good. Navigating through a store is different... if someone asks to meet them, I usually do allow that, but otherwise we "leave it" to people doing their shopping.

firespydar · 06-01-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobejazz

I allow Toula to be petted she does PR work for the rescue and is great at it - she also knows a leave it/nevermind command in case we are out - I don't know why but not everyone wants to pet be leaned on by her

Quote:

Originally Posted by KristenC

Same here, with both my dogs. If we're doing a PR event or home visit, petting is good. Navigating through a store is different... if someone asks to meet them, I usually do allow that, but otherwise we "leave it" to people doing their shopping.

Does that affect thier ability to be good guard dogs when strangers comes into your house ie; warn you when there is an intruder ?

**Dobejazz** · 06-01-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firespydar

Does that affect thier ability to be good guard dogs when strangers comes into your house ie; warn you when there is an intruder ?

Toula is quite good at barking her head off when someone is at the door- I don't really expect her to be a guard dog though, I count on my alarm system and doberman signs and statues outside my house to help convince people it's not worth trying to get in.

Dobermasha · 06-01-2009, 11:07 PM

I voted "no" - because I do not allow but honestly I didn't meet many who had enough courage to even try.

Megs · 06-01-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firespydar

Does that affect thier ability to be good guard dogs when strangers comes into your house ie; warn you when there is an intruder ?

Just curious how old of a puppy we're talking about here. If this is a bitty baby, then YES, socialize your puppy!! And naturally, people love to stop and pet puppies. Your walks should be short and fun at this age; give him lots of opportunities to experience different situations.

I have a nearly 14 month old "puppy" and we don't stop for everyone. We don't have time. We are usually training and exercising and I want his focus on me. Sometimes people ask to pet him and I don't mind at all. No, this has not affected his guard instinct around the house. Meeting friendly random strangers on walks and guarding the home against an intruder are two very different situations. With proper socialization and training your dog will know the difference and react/behave accordingly.

Ashliejae · 06-01-2009, 11:22 PM

pretty much same here if we are out an a walk we are busy "working" caring a backpack or going some where. I am now letting him get near children i make him lay down and they can pet him. But if in a store not everyone wants to see a dog. Some people don't even like dogs. Today in fact someone let her dog jump all over me and drooling so happy to see another dog and a person in the store. It was very irritating. And Anubis just sat there which surprised me i put him in a sit he never moved. I was so proud then the dumb women asked how do you get him to do that. I said time with him so she asked me how old he was and i told her a year shes like huh we have had out dog for 5 years and she never listens. WONDER WHY. So yes i agree you decide when your puppy gets to meet new people. If your doing something and don't want to stop you don't have to its not there dog. Ive dragged Anubis before telling him "walk" which is his like get next to me lets go command and just ignored the other dog on the street. And other times i have made him sit and ask the other dog owner if its okay. Not to many people actually ask to pet him. Ive had people just randomly pet him in the pet store before. And the kids around the corner always ask, which is cute.

Ashliejae · 06-01-2009, 11:26 PM

Attention seeking almost forgot, Anubis walks on the right side of me on the sidewalk. IF he seems like he wants to go meet someone really really bad i pull him right next to me very tight and we keep walking. Ive seen it before someone dog gets excited basically charges full speed at another person on a pull out leash, and then someone claims someone was bit or what have you not the issue i want to deal with.

Stone Hill · 06-01-2009, 11:27 PM

Your profile says your puppy is six weeks old. I'll assume that is a typo, or you haven't updated, because he's too young to be anywhere near a dog park. Yikes!

I allow people who ask politely, go ahead and pet Sora. If someone comes up and just lunges in for a pat, I quickly tell them she's in training, before they get to close. (For some reason, hardly any people where I live are afraid of Dobes! Go figure.) I want to be able to pick who pets her and who doesn't.

Sora is super friendly with people out in public. At home, she's a serious deterrent. I don't think having a friendly dog necessarily dictates how they'll react to a threat.

firespydar · 06-01-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Megs

Just curious how old of a puppy we're talking about here. If this is a bitty baby, then YES, socialize your puppy!! And naturally, people love to stop and pet puppies. Your walks should be short and fun at this age; give him lots of opportunities to experience different situations.

I have a nearly 14 month old "puppy" and we don't stop for everyone. We don't have time. We are usually training and exercising and I want his focus on me. Sometimes people ask to pet him and I don't mind at all. No, this has not affected his guard instinct around the house. Meeting friendly random strangers on walks and guarding the home against an intruder are two very different situations. With proper socialization and training your dog will know the difference and react/behave accordingly.

Well we are talking weeks, he is 16 weeks, and i have been socializing him a lot almost every single day we go out to a new place, hopefully with time and training he will know the difference, its important that am more of his center of attention/focus other than strangers all the time and that i wouldn't come home one day only to find a burglar "petting him" lol . i really hate it when people just pet him without asking first but been polite i just let it slide.. am only strict about other dogs along the walk meeting and greeting him.. i don't allow it regardless of what the owner tells me

firespydar · 06-01-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stone Hill Farm

Your profile says your puppy is six weeks old. I'll assume that is a typo, or you haven't updated, because he's too young to be anywhere near a dog park. Yikes!

i need to update

lolonurse · 06-02-2009, 12:38 AM

have you started puppy classes yet?
your dog will know the difference between friendly encounters and trouble - they are very smart and observant.

ruby_ruby · 06-02-2009, 12:42 AM

My answer is -
80% - NO
20% - YES (just for the sake of knowing that there are a group of species called HUMANS

I personally want a Dobermann Pinscher. That's why I choosed a dobie instead of a Bichon Frise.

I want my my dobie to be what a dobie is reputed to be.

**EmilyB** · 06-02-2009, 12:47 AM

No one touches my dogs.

bean · 06-02-2009, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ruby_ruby

I personally want a Dobermann Pinscher. That's why I choosed a dobie instead of a Bichon Frise.

I want my my dobie to be what a dobie is reputed to be.

I think your Dobe would be what it was reputed to be, and even more so with appropriate socialization - what others have said in this and other threads is that their Dobe is very good at distinguishing what is a true threat and what is not. A Dobe that isn't socialized is one that may not be as good at this due to fear of the unknown.

I find this an interesting thread as I want a Dobe but also want that dog to be able to do therapy work. I want a social dog who will be able to do just this - distinguish, and to look to me for direction. Primarily I want a visual deterrent. A good bark can be helpful too.

caramella · 06-02-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dobejazz

I allow Toula to be petted she does PR work for the rescue and is great at it - she also knows a leave it/nevermind command in case we are out - I don't know why but not everyone wants to pet be leaned on by her

bold emphasis, mine.

Then, they are whacked!!!! Who in their right minds wouldn't want to pet that lovable creature. Give her an ear rub from me!!

caramella · 06-02-2009, 01:03 AM

I'd like Bella to feel comfortable around all kinds of people. But, like me, she doesn't have to like everyone and if I feel someone is iffy, I don't encourage friendliness. Bella is much more interested in other dogs than in people. She is only mildly curious. I ask her to sit before I allow strangers to touch her and I instruct them how to touch her. If they don't comply, we move away, graciously but firmly. I believe I am responsible for managing her interactions with people. I want her socialization experiences to be positive as she develops.

MeganUK · 06-02-2009, 01:26 AM

I encourage everyone and anyone to pet Jo. She did awesome yesterday with a group of kids (ages ~3-10) i'll have to post some pics. I don't think it makes them any less protective. Josie has actually started barking at people through the door when they walk by at home, but loves attention in public. I agree with Lois, i think they know the difference.

briarious · 06-02-2009, 01:32 AM

It depends, kids I allow all the time, if their parents allow them. But some people just look shadey and I would just rather that particular person or group of people not touch my dog at all.

Tollers-n-Dobes · 06-02-2009, 02:06 AM

I allow people to pet my dogs. I want them to be able to go out into the world and accept whatever might come their way. Keira's no less of a Doberman because I allow her to interact with strangers -- she's plenty protective when warranted. I don't allow the dogs to interact with every person we encounter. Just the friendly ones who ask to meet them, and then I send the dog with a "go be friends" command. All three easily walk right by people without bothering them unless I tell them to go be friends. Sometimes Keira forgets that not everyone wants to meet her, but "leave it" redirects her attention back to me quickly.

dragonflyz · 06-02-2009, 06:04 AM

I allow people to pet Tango if we are out being social, If I'm working on training then of course no I do not allow him to socialize. As far as being protective, I believe dogs have a sense of people's intentions. I believe MOST dogs will protect their owners. I had a golden as a kid and she bit my brother because he was hurting me.

natwilson35 · 06-02-2009, 07:31 AM

I will allow strangers to pet my puppy, however I will not allow strangers to give him treats. I don't want my dogs to take food from strangers at all, it just makes me nervous.

doberkris · 06-02-2009, 07:51 AM

I 2nd the no treats.
I let Morgan socialize quite a bit when she was younger, but men scared her, so we steered clear until her confidence grew. We stop on our walks to visit a few neighbors, that's it now. Random people will ask if she's "nice" I tell them no and keep walking. We walk, she just ignores people or other dogs.

As for protecting...Morgan's best human friend was over & helping me install a deck fence. She LOVES this person...I ran out back to get the extension cord. Without me there, she growled at her to the point where he walked away (she was inside growling through the screendoor) he was schocked, I was proud. He said she didn't bark, just that low meancing growl. I'm proud of her protecting the house while I was not there