Dealing with ‘touchers’

[PoliticalPossum]

Can anyone give me any advice on how to deal with ‘touchers’ I.e the entitled bastards people who, even when they’ve asked and you’ve said no, try and touch your dog.

I’ve tried everything. Collar saying ‘do not touch’, telling people he’s aggressive (he’s not) to try and get them to go away, telling them forcefully no and, finally, telling them to (not very nicely) go away. I am fortunately blessed with a ‘resting bitch face’ which also does not seem to work.

Nothing works!!! The sense of entitlement of random people (including other dog owners) to pet my dog is starting to drive me insane. He’s a common ‘family friendly’ breed and is, unfortunately, incredibly beautiful - which seems to draw them in. When I had Rotties no one ever petted them! But him? Like flies to shit.

So, does anyone have any ideas?

"LEAVE THE FUCKING DOG ALONE"

I think would do the job, although you might not like the judgement that follows.

I have a rescue lab who had zero training when I got him. He was a covid pup too, so hadn't had a great deal of socialisation either. I took him to relatively busy places (started gently and moved nearer over time), and suffered from the exact thing you do. I just stood up and physically blocked them from getting to my dog. In my situation this was even more important as he was also getting to know me and needed to know I would intervene.

I struggle to resist a cute dog (including rotties) but I do always ask first.

Just shout ‘NO’ in their faces.

It’s not just dogs. When DS was a baby random people pawed at him without asking. People are odd.

It’s outrageous to ask and then still go ahead if someone says no. Even my 6yr old has now grasped this after lots of work on ‘you must always ask’. How unpleasant for you and your dog.

Ugh I hate this too, my dog loves people he knows but doesn’t react well to strangers diving at him and getting in his face.

People don’t bloody listen, they’ll say ‘can I say hello to your dog’ whilst simultaneously diving at him as I say ‘no he’s not good with strangers’ and then I’m the one getting their shitty reaction when he barks/jumps at them 🤷‍♀️

I have no advice, sorry just solidarity, people are just stupid.

Send them over to my lab? He looks most out out when people walk past him in the street 😂.

If he's not aggressive what are the reasons for not wanting people to touch him? I would just share those.

I step into them so my dog is behind me, they can look as pissed off as they like. I used to be polite and say sorry but am more assertive now after repeated ignorers!

My dog is not aggressive at all, he just really hates people touching him who he doesn’t know, especially when he’s on the lead.

Why don’t you want people to touch him? I love dogs and always ask before saying hello unless the dog approaches me first.

I don’t need a reason. He’s my dog and I don’t want entitled arseholes patting him when they’ve been told not to.

I did that this morning! Got a mouthful of abuse - which I don’t care about, but I just want to enjoy my walk in peace!

What is the problem with people wanting to stroke your dog?

My dog is one of those appealing, slightly unusual, scruffy sorts and he gets loads of attention wherever we go. He bloody loves it and I just take it as a compliment.

I like to greet dogs, especially when I am away from mine, but I always ask first.

I always remember an election candidate coming round and asking “does your dog bite?” to which my son replied “yes”. A border collie, not huge and terrifying, but feisty.
He then proceeded to approach and touch our dog, “nice doggie” etc and she promptly bit him.
We just shook our heads.

I struggle with this too. It's hard. I'm introverted and anxious but unfortunately have a breed that attracts a lot of attention.

I have put up with it to some extent but I did once shriek "NO!!! Do not do that!!!" at some idiot bloke who tried to sit his toddler on my dogs back. FFS just because he's the size of a Shetland Pony it does not follow that his spine is designed for carrying weight 🙄If the dog had reacted he would have been branded dangerous.

While our pup was young we made more effort to socialise but now we're trying to take her to quieter locations, even if it means chucking her in the car and driving up to the moors just for a bit of peace. That's all I can suggest, OP, quiet places. Well. that and a warning to never ever go out with your dog at Primary School exodus time... 😨

That's what I'm wondering. If the dog is social and doesn't mind, what's the issue? One of mine thinks she is the queen of all she surveys and laps up attention from anyone wiling to dispense it (including small children). The other one needs a gentle introduction first, so I keep her out of it unless the circumstances are suitable.

And honestly, if you want to enjoy your walks in peace, choose your times and places with care. There are some footpaths near me that I avoid like the plague during day time in summer and will only walk in the early morning or in the evening.

Kids don’t touch him - thankfully @PyreneanAubrie!! It’s usually adults (50+) who should know better.

But it’s incredibly frustrating, and I do walk him when it’s quiet (6-7am on weekends and 5-6 on weekdays). I’ve just come back from a long holiday in the UK and sitting in pubs was awful…every thirty seconds someone came over 😫I just wanted to enjoy my very large because everyone pissed me off by not leaving me alone glass of wine and food in peace!

I’m going back to Rotties after this…maybe a Turkish Kangal - ain’t no one gonna pet one of them 😀

What is the problem with people wanting to stroke your dog?

Sometimes you're trying to teach your dog that not everybody wants to say hello and they're not the centre of the universe!

Teach an absolutely rock solid ‘middle’ and put him there when arseholes are present. Having to fumble between your legs to get to your dog backs most of them right off!

LOL, you are so right. When we had an Anatolian Shepherd; nobody came near him, ever, even when he was a tiny fat pup.
The Pyreneans on the other hand, terrible - it's a "woolly bear dog", "polar bear", "Shetland pony" "the cutest puppy in the world"...... I mean, yeah, people are interested and trying to be nice but none of them ever seem to realise that it's a guarding breed ffs and is meant to be aloof 🙄It wasn't made by Steiff.

I just avoid eye contact and keep on walking! Dogs to heel and off we go.

I hear you! I Have a Tibetan in full coat. People (and DC in particular) just touch him in passing because he's gorgeous, fluffy and looks so cuddly.

Problem is, he hates being touched by strangers.
OP, I suggest padding some unsuspecting person or child (that has touched your dog) on the head- if nothing else, it gives them a bit of a shock & reality check! "Well, you've done the same to my fur baby!" 😆

Ah, beautiful. Our female PMD pup met a young male Tibetan a couple of weeks ago. We admired him from a distance while chatting with his owner (who was amazed we knew what the dog was). We were respectful of his space, unlike our 6 month girl who was trying to be full-on tarty 😆They were fine together.

But yes, can understand your issues. LGD need their space to be respected. One of our PMD girls hated being touched by strangers too.

Bit difficult when you're only 5'3" and the dogs head is up to your waist 😂

@BoobyDazzler I don’t have any issue with people wanting to stroke mine, he is cute! But I do have an issue when I say no please don’t stroke him and they just ignore me and do it anyway…… he tries to back away, tail between his legs etc so clearly doesn’t enjoy it at all so I don’t put him in that position as it’s not fair on him

I don't know the answer. Mine was unpredictable. I would always say no, he's unpredictable. One person still tried after being told that and then had the cheek to say he wasn't very friendly after he'd snapped at her. She was lucky to be wearing leather gloves. It makes you want to avoid people.

I always ask and if the answer is no, I respect that and admire the dog from a distance.