To think that dogs are not communal property?

[FreeBirdsFlying]

Sorry its another dog related thread but I'm really fucked off with parents letting their children come over to pet my dog without asking. He dosent like being randomly mauled roughly stroked by strangers,and when I say to the children,he dosen't like being petted and you should always ask the owner first,then I'm the grumpy cow with the dog.

I mean you would hardly think its okay for a stranger to hop into your car and check out the interior because they think your car is nice.

tbh I think the issue is people who have not been brought up around dogs, dont know anything about dogs. Like a lot of kids around here are scared of dogs and will cross the road, and so will the parents, and the kids who dont cross the road, their parents wont tell them to ask before stroking a dog, as it has never even crossed their mind to stroke one, and they dont know that this is what you are suppossed to do. they just have no experience of dogs, apart from random strays back home.

I can see what you're saying panda & you are correct to be wary of them with your dog-Akita's are a dominant breed, if another dog wishes to play then they must first submit hence letting the Akita know that they are fully aware of who is boss. Having said that we have had ours since she was a pup at 13 weeks, she is now 12 & the only dogs which have attacked her were small breeds-I think this is a small dog syndrome type of thing but is never a good idea unfortunately, I will add that she is on the lead & under control always.

I totally agree! But I do live in an area where there are certain people who have them as, for want of a better term, status dogs (including the one I mentioned who ended up having his akita pts) and although most owners I've come across are responsible we've had a couple of bad experiences. I guess my point was that until I get a feel for how well-trained the dog is, I'm always wary.

That's another thing Barred I wouldn't be concerned at all if I saw one on the lead as I always take it as my responsibility to keep my dog away from any dog on a lead just in case the reason the dog is on the lead is because its not a fan of strange dogs.

My Akita was dominant (in as much as dogs are, he didn't want to rule the world, or the people in the house) but I also found him to be very confident of his status and ability to protect himself.

My JRT would sleep on his head and challenge him for food etc. he never reacted to any of it because he knew she was no threat to him and he could swallow her whole if he so chose to, he just let her get on with thinking she ruled the roost

He also luffed kittens -not to eat, though, he only liked kibble to eat-

He too was attacked by a small dog once. I asked him to sit (there was no point trying to escape the other dog was off leash and the owner miles behind him) he did as I asked without so much as a growl while the other dog continued it's attack.

Lol that is only really half the reason she's on the lead tbh, the other is that she has the attention span of a grasshopper therefore all attempts at recall tended to end very badly.......

I should add that I think akitas are absolutely gorgeous and when not fretting about them eating my dog ( ) can be heard emitting copious squee type noises in their presence!

(Although obviously at a reasonable distance and noise level so as not to freak them out!)

Oh gosh, it all sounds do uptight. We have taught our dogs to be comfortable with all expressions of human love, from tasty, unexpected titbits to a fierce toddler cuddle; to an enjoyable tummy rub to a naughty tail pull. The dogs accept everything goodnaturedly. It is my job as an owner to make them comfortable and safe around humans.

Children come and pet them and cuddle them and laugh in delight when little pup licks their ear. Older girl is very tolerant of exuberant cuddles and will either play if she is in the mood or come back to us.

Rarely do children or adults ask for permission before cuddling our dogs and the little buggers happily go and sniff and say hello to humans. When they get no attention, they go elsewhere or enjoy the human/dog interaction immensely.

See no point in being uptight about this, unless one has a dangerous dog or really nasty children/adults wanting to hurt the dog or visa versa.

The only people I get nervous about are the ones in crisp white trousers/ skirts, and hope that dogs remember their manners of all four paws on the ground.