Don't pet the dog

Have you set yourself up as the post-police Dillonsgranma?
Do we have to personally message you and get the go-ahead before we post?
What some people find upsetting or aggressive others just read and pass on or have a wry smile. They don't announce to the world and its fathers their actions.

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Dillonsgranma, RosiesMaw is by no means a nasty person. She has been on Gransnet for many years. I’m very disappointed that you have seen fit to report her. I entirely agree with her post.

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Germanshepherdsmum

The dog on the bench was probably cleaner than many humans Pamela.

Probably but then I don’t go anywhere near their bottoms either.😂

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I live down the road from a Royal Park, the number of stupid people taking their children up to the deer is astounding. At the moment it's the rutting season so the stags are lying down, taking a toddler up to it is not a good idea, there are plenty of notices, but they are ignored.

I think your post was spot on *RosiesMaw

The dog on the bench was probably cleaner than many humans Pamela.

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RosiesMaw
Unfortunately what seems like the b obvious to most is still unknown to some.
Today walking along the quay I saw a man sitting on a bench. Fair enough, it’s a long walk to the beach but sitting beside him, on the bench was his rather large dog.
I’m not very keen on sitting where a dog’s bottom has sat - I would have thought that was b obvious too! I gave the man my best Paddington stare.

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we were taught to always ask before petting pet dogs too and it is something I instilled in my children

I've got to be honest, I feel a bit sorry for the ticket collector. I bet he is mortified and now will most probably be on a written warning

Blondie49

I actually didn’t know that as too old to get it taught in schools, but I’m not a big petter of dogs anyway, but thanks for info 👏

I was just thinking the same thing! A friend of mine stops and pets any dog when we are out and about but I've never seen her pet a working dog. I only pet dogs I know, who's owners I know well. Just as well they don't train cats as assistance animals as I would always pet a cat given the chance!

I think it's a shame not to pet dogs. I ask the owner, let the dog sniff my hand and then pet - it's part of the pleasure and healing energy that dogs give us. BUT I tell my grandchildren they must never pet any dog, or indeed go near it, unless they ask the owner first. I may be very fortunate with the district in which I live, but here we do pet each others' dogs and give them treats, as long as we know the dog/owner. I think the sensible message is just ask, and be aware that dogs have big jaws and can be moody.

I was a Professional dog trainer for well over half a century. I would teach children how to approach a dog , and the basics of reading the dogs body language,. I used to suggest that they didn’t approach ANY dog without asking the owner if they could stroke the dog , and how to be calm and quiet around dogs.

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While I agree that common sense appears to be becoming uncommon, I also think it's part of the entitlement that's seen so much these days.
I've said it numerous times, the number of children who would run up to stroke my dog without asking, including one occasion when a mother told her little girl to 'cuddle him, he looks like a bear'.....he was an extremely large Rottweiler!
My friend is a dog handler (Police) and on many occasions, when working has experienced the same thing.

We often see police dogs being trained in a town near us and it's surprising the number of people who stop to pet the dogs. A few weeks ago dogs and Customs officers were being trained to detect drugs, with the 'drugs' being carried by officers in back packs. One man sent his young son up to the group of uniformed officers and their dog so he could take a photo of his son petting the dog. I don't think common sense is that common.

I keep well away from all dogs after numerous incidents involving the family. We live in a farming village the dogs are not allowed in the houses.

Sadly, it’s not common sense. Many people do not understand the concept of a guide dog for a blind person. I have seen people walking into them and expecting the dog to move. More public awareness films should be made ad shown.

I have not seen the original note about this but of course agree with not touching dogs working. But I have lived abroad and moved to area where there was rabies and so taught my son , never to touch any dog at all without checking with an adult. I have done some years of hospital car service and you also get a problem the other way. If there is a dog in the house I have to ask the owner to shut the dog away before I come in. This is because A) dont want the dog to escape as we have no time to go round catching it up and the owner will be upset leaving it loose. B) when a patient is either going to stay in overnight or have equipment that they need with them I normally would pick up the bags etc and take them to the car. If I do that inside the house, naturally the dog will be defensive as I am a stranger in his area.C) not the dogs fault but if they are allowed to jump up at you, it can be frightening for some people but also you are wearing clean clothes and a uniform and will be picking up different people during the day. You do not look professional with dog hairs, or muddy marks on your clean outfit . I was brought up with dogs and my grandmother had quite a lot both inside and outside, but they - and us - were trained correctly. The dogs never bothered us at the table, were not allowed to eat from a plate a human used etc. We were never allowed to feed from the table or speak to the dogs whilst we were eating. Having the right rules for both animals and people means that everyone including the dogs knows what to do and what not to do and no one is getting worried.

I actually didn’t know that as too old to get it taught in schools, but I’m not a big petter of dogs anyway, but thanks for info 👏

Should not pet any dog full stop
No discussion no excuses unless you ask owner do not touch any dog no matter how touchable they look