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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Inappropriate dog touching

167 replies

LeonardosYoungerModel · 21/06/2025 07:41

if one more child or adult touches my dog without asking I may scream. Dogs are not toys!!!

Shes very young and a very family friendly breed. I’m socialising her at the moment and doing first walks. I’ve had her breed before and I know that if not properly trained they are a sodding nightmare (bouncy, bitey and big).

It’s a sodding bloody nightmare. Every child, person, stick insect and tosspottingwankweasel going seems intent to not only approach her and touch her, but also encourage her to jump up!!

Half the time they don’t even ask but when they do I’ve said no and they do it anyway!!!!!!! I’ve taught her to ‘place’ between my legs so people have to get level with
my fanny to touch her, and they still do it! Get your head away from my fanny!!!!!!

Why are people so damn thick?! AIBU to think that if it is clear the owner does not want you touching their dog, then you do not touch the bloody dog?! And you definitely do not touch any dog and more importantly do not let your bloody toddler touch a dog without asking but particularly when the owner has said no?! And you don’t bloody put your head near someone’s bloody fanny (thankfully not literally at the moment) to pat their dog who is ignoring you?!

OP posts:
MuffinsAreJustCakesAtBreakfast · 21/06/2025 08:16

YANBU! It's totally bonkers that people do this. I got it most from adults when she was the tiniest little ball of fluff 🥹

It's really frustrating when you are trying to train.

I found children almost always asked (and respected the answer) and the few who didn't ask were all adults!

Ylvamoon · 21/06/2025 08:15

You have my sympathy!
I have a long hair breed and children people just touch in passing as the dog is the right hight to run their hands through the dogs hair. I get it, it's tactile calming and just a lovely feeling. Bu my dog doesn't know you! It's dangerous. Imagine I run my hands through every random strangers hair....

MauriceTheMussel · 21/06/2025 08:14

I’d love to know the reasoning of those voting YABU

MauriceTheMussel · 21/06/2025 08:13

YANBU!

This fucking happens all the time with me and my pup. I’ve had people PICK HIM UP and then get me reflex saying “ah ah!” 😂

It’s just so rude. When I clock one of the crazies from a few metres and they’re gushing and making faces and noises at my dog (baiting you for an interaction), I just ignore and walk straight past them pretending I didn’t see their “subtle hints” too. No time for it - he’s on HIS walk. He doesn’t exist for you.

TeenLifeMum · 21/06/2025 08:13

I have a super cute 7mo sprocker and she’s often off lead. Never has anyone touch her without checking, even yesterday when she was playing with a lab and then lay down belly up inviting tummy rubs in front of the lab owner, he looked at me and asked.

ouch321 · 21/06/2025 08:12

This title is designed to attract attention.

Owt · 21/06/2025 08:09

I was always taught never to touch dogs that I don’t know - and to ask before touching the dogs I do know. Dogs can be unpredictable, even the friendlier breeds and even more so in hot weather. It’s 30 degrees here today.

Tulipssndturkeys · 21/06/2025 08:08

I love the ‘leave’ command for this reason 99% of the time when I firmly say ‘leave’ to my dog - it is more directed at a person who is interfering with us and it often works!

firm ‘ leave ‘ and stop sign with the hand !

Fringle · 21/06/2025 08:07

The thread title could be taken two ways. Either ‘inappropriate dogs that touch’, or ‘dogs that are touched inappropriately’.

If it’s the first, I would say that all bull breeds plus a lot of other types of dog are indeed inappropriate, and that their ‘touching’ - by means of savage biting - is definitely a problem. It leads to severe injury and death.

If it’s the second, it seems unlikely to happen very much at all. And even if it did I’d be surprised if it were any sort of problem.

So I’m with you on inappropriate dogs that ‘touch’, but not on inappropriate touching of dogs.

Kuretake · 21/06/2025 07:57

LandSharksAnonymous · 21/06/2025 07:44

I feel your pain. It’s the entitlement combined with the sheer stupidity that really blows my mind.

They’ll be livid in a few years if your dog lunges and jumps up at them on a walk - because they’ve encouraged her. And it’ll be your fault, even if you’ve done everything right.

That'll be a different group of people though. The inappropriate dog touchers won't mind.

Hardtum · 21/06/2025 07:55

nomas · 21/06/2025 07:51

People have different experiences shocker

Indeed they do, as mumsnet never ceases to open my eyes to…. School gate cliques, narcissistic mothers, neighbours, sisters, group friends holidays that end up in a brawl and horrific hen dos

and now “inappropriate dog touching”!

nomas · 21/06/2025 07:51

Hardtum · 21/06/2025 07:48

Really? I have an utterly adorable KCC and I’m always asked before anyone touches, literally always

People have different experiences shocker

BallerinaRadio · 21/06/2025 07:50

I think there's a valid point in there somewhere but can't get past the tweeness and multiple fanny mentions

Littlepickle5 · 21/06/2025 07:50

This topic title sounds a bit odd 😂

PersephoneParlormaid · 21/06/2025 07:49

I’ve always been asked first.

Hardtum · 21/06/2025 07:48

Really? I have an utterly adorable KCC and I’m always asked before anyone touches, literally always

LandSharksAnonymous · 21/06/2025 07:44

I feel your pain. It’s the entitlement combined with the sheer stupidity that really blows my mind.

They’ll be livid in a few years if your dog lunges and jumps up at them on a walk - because they’ve encouraged her. And it’ll be your fault, even if you’ve done everything right.