Please help me deal with options for my dog

[Xmaslover]

Ok had rescue dog for nearly 6 months.
He is deaf and smaller breed and does not like to be picked up , to the point he is snapping when you try.
Obviously I don't go and pick him up unless absolutely necessary but as smaller breed he can't jump into the car and needs me to pick him up.
I tried buying a ramp for my car but he hasnt taken to it.
As he has had a number of health issues the car issue is unavoidable.
I'm starting to not trust him and I have a Young child.

My next issue is we live in a corner house and so gardens are at front and side. We have a picket fence and it became an issue with dogs walking past that I had to put up some bamboo fencing to cover the gaps in the picket fencing.
Now the fence is only 3 ft high as that's the maximum allowed on road and my dog is small but the problem is people are leaning over trying to stroke him and with him being deaf and not hearing people or seeing as he is low down then this is making him nervous when touched.
I'm paranoid he will snap if he is scared enough by idiots leaning over and stroking him.
I know feel I can't let him in his own garden as our road is used a lot by pedestrians
Where would I stand legally if be bit someone who leaned over into my garden?

[Xmaslover]

The snapping thing would you class that as aggressive as there is no warning growl?

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

Poor little chap. Does he feel swooped on and startled? How about if you give him a bit of stroking first? With regards to the buggers leaning over. I'd be pretty peed off. Could you put up a sign? Is he safe if only 3 feet? Could they reach over and take him? Could you fence off a little area in garden for him?

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

Don't know where you'd stand as they're not actually entering your property. He needs a few adjustments I think to meet his special needs. Could we see a pic
that may help 😉

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

You say no growl. Does he bark at all? Do you think thus us because of deafness
Maybe he hasn't learned to growl

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

Would he travel in a carrier?

[VioletBam]

Can you make an internal fenced off area for him in the garden? not a pen but get some of that low hooped fencing and "line" the interior of the yard so he stays out of reach?

AS for the picking up, I agree that it's in the approach...perhaps a gentle pat first.

[TheFlyingFauxPas]

Something like this?

[MagentaRose72]

Do you think he gets startled when you pick him up? You could try using his other senses to get his attention, for example using a treat to train him that he's going to be picked up or perhaps some kind of doggy sign language (visual prompt- make eye contact first) Perhaps if he feels like there are visual cues before he's picked up, he will be more calm about it. I'm not sure about the fence thing, maybe an animal psychologist could help?

[Xmaslover]

I have tried animal carrier but he didn't like at all, I think he was kept in a small cage before me.

The picking up he sees me going to pick him up and even with a treat he is pulling away back on his lead and I always stroke him to let him know I'm there.

I might have to fence off a part of the garden, could the poster who suggested low hooped fencing please give a pic as I don't know what that is thanks.
It's just so annoying that I've spent an absolute fortune on bamboo fencing to protect from dogs but now I have to protect from idiots . Even parents with kids and I was shocked they were encouraging their child to peer over and lean over.

If I put up a sign up I have read off a dog page on Facebook (don't know how true) that if you put a beware the dog sign or don't touch the dog then you are admitting liability if anything happens and you are acknowledging there is potential risk

[SilverBat]

The dangerous dogs act was changed and covers your own property too, so putting up a sign would be a good idea, as you would be liable anyway regardless.