Do You Mind if Someone Pets your Pet

@AmbiePam (84628)
United States
September 15, 2008 1:08pm CST
Today I went to pick up some vitamins at my vet for my dog Sherlock. They are vitamins to heal up the sores on the end of his ears. It's a condition he was born with that comes and goes. Anyway, a woman came out of her SUV with her very large dog. I went over and complimented her on her dog, and she was very friendly. I then asked if I could pet her dog. She said yes. But I noticed with my pets, now and in the past, most people come up and automatically pet them. I never really thought about it until a guy at my apartment complex started doing that. I don't want him near my dog because he isn't very nice. But if I walk by him when I'm walking my dog, he stops and pets Sherlock. So I was wondering, do you mind when someone pets your own pet without asking? Do you ask before touching someone else's animal? I always ask, just in case the owner is very protective. I would never want to offend.
13 people like this
49 responses
@BriNbai (912)
• United States
15 Sep 08
I don't mind if someone pets my dog,But I think sometimes its rude for people to run up to my dog and pet him and baby talk to him and ignore me standing there completely lol..I always ask too because some dogs arent used to people and they might be protective of their owners and they might bite(Ive had this happen).But if someone asks to pet my dog I always say yes I think it would look stupid to say NO YOU CANT!
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
15 Sep 08
Oh yeah, I've had that happen before. They pet my dog and totally ignore me. And when they are done petting him, they walk away without having ever said a word to me!
@animeniak (425)
• United States
16 Sep 08
I really don't mind if someone pets my dog, and actually my dad just pets other people's pets whenever he sees them attractive, and there are times when he actually pets other kids in the public places. That part, I kind of see it unusual, but my family doesn't really care and pets the little kids in the public places anyway. But then again, I really don't pet other people's pets, because some people who owns dogs or cats are kind of offended by other people petting their own pets, and maybe sometimes against it. I try to respect others' properties and pets, and if I am actually permitted to pet them, then I do pet them, because I just love pets!! LOL happy mylotting :)
2 people like this
@chiyosan (30184)
• Philippines
16 Sep 08
no not at all. i think that is really okay for me if someone pets my dog or cats. :) i think that is really great too, and besides my pets would be really friendly that way.
2 people like this
• United States
16 Sep 08
I have cats and they're usually reluctant to let anyone pet them. However, if my cats don't mind being petted, neither do I as long as the petter is gentle with them. For myself, unless the animal's body language says, "don't touch me," I'm apt to pet without getting the owner's permission.
2 people like this
@divinchris (2449)
• India
16 Sep 08
I surely allow others to pet my Simba.But the problem is he is not so friendly with others.He hardly like 10 people,if he saw others he will be like flushing with anger.So no one can voluntarily pet him.He is different,he is so attached to our family and next to our maid,then our neighbor.Thats it no one else can step into our home.Thanks for having this discussion.Good luck to you.
2 people like this
@Bobbysox (224)
16 Sep 08
If someone would like to say hell to our dog then I would much prefer that they just ask if thats ok with me,for no other reason than there are times that it involves children and I would always worry that he might snap at any children that patted him.He is mild mannered but he is older,so that makes him more likeky to snap.Children are fascinated by him because he is a very `pretty` dog,and they will always ooo and ahh over him.We recently went for a visit to the vetinary surgery with him,we thought it was his last stand,he was very poorly.and he was losing blood from his rear end,and he was very downhearted.Thevetinary took a look at him and declared that he could be put right in a day or two,he had colitus,we thought that was an ailment only for humans,but an ijection of steriods and some immodium and in just over a day he was back to his old self again.But I do feel if you are going to approach anyone elses animal then you always need to be a little wary,every animal isnt the same.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Some people don't like barging in on their or their animals personal space. I don't really have a problem with others petting my dog. But I do warn them if they do that they need to be careful cause you never know sometimes how your animal is going to react with a stranger touching it. It could bite or something. Some people are just animal lovers and can't resist petting a animal. If someone doesn't want their animal petted then they need to speak up or have the dog wear a sign. maybe from it's collar or a little handkerchief that states do not touch. It all depends on who the person is if it is a stranger then sure i ask if it is a family member or friend then no I don't ask. Sometimes some dogs takes that initiative right out of your hands by jumping up and wanting petted. Well, give Sherlock a pat on the for me.
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
17 Sep 08
Now that is a little loony. That is also a way to get his lips bit off because he didn't know how your dog would react to that. Maybe he wanted to get bit?I would be keeping my dog away from him as well. They sure are some fruit cakes out there..
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
16 Sep 08
You won't believe what this one guy did. It was several months ago. I had never met him, just said hi. He walked right up to me (I was holding Sherlock), and I mean right up close, puckered his lips, and tried to get Sherlock to give him a kiss. I'm not kidding! Sherlock was having none of it. I kept thinking, dude, get out of my personal space! Why in the world would someone be that nutty?
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
19 Sep 08
I am one of those dog lovers and I did not mind someone petting Jessie when she was alive, and I try to pet other people's dogs after I see if it is all right with them. I know that some dogs are very protective, I would never pet the neighbor's German Shepherd, but if it is a cocker spaniel, terrier, poodle, Labrador, or a mixed breed and was wagging its tail I would try. But it depends on the dog and the owner.
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
19 Sep 08
I'm very wary of Dobermans and pit bulls. I know sometimes they get a bad reputation, but just in case I'm super careful about those dogs.
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
15 Sep 08
I would prefer people ask unless they come to the house. Even then I would rather offer or have the cat come to them than their trying to pet them if the cats don't come up. But I really have to be more careful of the dogs, I don't want them trying to pet the roomie's dog since she has bitten in the past (she's chased the cable guy out of the yard when he jumped the fence.) We had a "beware of dog" on the fence, but near as we can tell, she's torn up both of the signs we put up.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
16 Sep 08
It's probably mean to say this, but oh how I wish I could have seen that cable guy jump the fence!!!
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63194)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Yeah, he apparently jumped back over in a hurry! He's been back and likes the dog, but understandably rings the bell now.
1 person likes this
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
15 Sep 08
As I don't have a pet right now.....that part doesn't pertain...but when I had Reggie I didn't want others to pet him without me giving the okay....and I never pet or approach someone else's pet unless I ask....
2 people like this
@Flight84 (3048)
• United States
19 Sep 08
I used to not mind with my Alaskan Malamute, Roxy, but my husband and I got a new puppy in April and he is big and hyper. I get nervous now for people to just go up to him and pet him without asking because he tends to get excited and jump and I would hate for him to hurt someone. He just finished puppy classes at PetSmart last month and his trainer said it's always a good idea to make sure people ask first. I've noticed Kingston tends to be leary of some men. I want people asking now for sure, just for safety sake, you know?
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
19 Sep 08
I once had a dog named Rascal and he didn't like men either. I got him from another family, he was two at the time. There was one boy in my high school class who used to come over, and Rascal took to him like a moth to a flame. But everyone else male he didn't want to have anything to do with.
@Flight84 (3048)
• United States
19 Sep 08
Kingston loves my husband and he's okay with men after a minute or so, but initially, he wants to be protective and he growls and barks. We got him when he was 5 weeks old, and his trainer said that he's probably so protective of us because we basically raised him. I just hate hearing him bark at people. He's so affectionate and I don't want people to be scared of him, but I understand now why they say you should give dogs leadway when you first approach them.
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
17 Sep 08
Both my dog and cat passed away last year, but I did not mind if people pet them. I do think people should ask first. But I always enjoyed it when people enjoyed my pets and were nice to them. I was always proud of them. What I didn't like was people who ignored them or pushed them away when they came near them. That always bothered me.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
18 Sep 08
I know what you mean. One time a guy working for my dad pushed my dog away with his foot and I saw red.
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
16 Sep 08
I don't care. The whole world can pet my dogs if they want. More love for the dogs. It is also good for them to interact with many people. My dogs are very well trained and will either stand or sit for people. No jumping. I ask to pet other peoples dogs. Some people are really weird about it and think their dog won't like it.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Very true. For the most part I like Sherlock to be around people of all ages. Especially when he was a puppy I tried to make sure he was exposed to people of varying ages. It's better if they get used to that.
• Israel
16 Sep 08
It's always best when your dog gets socialized early in life. Makes for a better more balanced pet.
• United States
16 Sep 08
i dont mind... my dog seems to enjoy the attention but you should always ask... we are in the process of teaching our son this... its just polite plus you don't know how the animal will react to kids or even strangers.... so its also a safety thing :)
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
16 Sep 08
Actually I do. I would rather people ask first before petting a pet of mine, especially if it is a child. Animals, even if they are the sweetest in the world to their own family may not react the same way to a stranger. I wouldn't want my pet to be caught off guard because someone came up and starting petting them. For safety sake people should always ask first before petting someone else's pet. It's just good common sense.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
16 Sep 08
And honestly, some kids don't just pet the animals. I remember one kid came up to pet Sherlock and pulled his tail really hard. It scared Sherlock, but had it been a different kind of dog, that dog might have turned and bit the child. And that would have been awful.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
16 Sep 08
tinker - she is solid as a rock, she loves to pose lol
I have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, they can be very protective. So if it's just she and I out for a walk, I hope people ask first. lol And most people do ask and I just tell them 'I'd rather they not as she can be very protective of me'. They usually just compliment her and go on. I always ask first, like you say some people don't want everyone petting their dog. Also sometimes they can be trying to train the dog and don't want others petting them.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
16 Sep 08
She is beautiful!
@shaggin (71573)
• United States
16 Sep 08
I love to pet other peoples dogs and so does my daughter so if we see someone walking a dog that seems very friendly I always ask if it is alright if we pet the dog. The only time someone has told me no was when the dog was a biter so we steered clear of that one. My daughter knows she has to ask the owner first before she touches anyones animal. If there is a stray animal in the yard I let it smell my hand first and then if it doesnt seem defensive or anything then I try to pet it. If it is super friendly then I will allow my daughter to pet the animal as well. I can't understand why an owner wouldnt let you pet their dog unless it was known to bite.
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
17 Sep 08
Yes, that is the only reason I can think of for someone to say no, but just in case I ask. There are some shady people around my complex, and I don't want to tick them off!
@quinnkl (1667)
• United States
17 Sep 08
First, I LOVE your dog's name!!!! I don't really mind if people pet my pets BUT I think it is rude to do it without asking. I would never pet someone else's animal without asking the owner if it is okay. Maybe the dog doesn't like strangers, etc. Not a good idea. I agree that it is just downright rude to do this without asking the owner first.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
17 Sep 08
I'll make sure to tell Sherlock you liked his name. : )
@minx267 (15553)
• Hartford, Connecticut
16 Sep 08
I don't mind people petting my dog. But they really should ask first. Not because I am snooty or anything. just because I have had dogs that are not the most comfortable around strangers and have to be approached with caution. My dog who was well socialized and got along with everyone was approached by a stranger as I was unloading the groceries from the car. (I later found out this man was recently released from a mental institution that had "cut back" on it's care and released a bunch of people that really should not hav been on their own) So I turn my back for a second and this guy came out of nowhere and just grabbed my dog (1 hand on either side of his head) now had I been grabbed like that I may have done the same thing my dog did.. He bit him in the face!! Then and only then did he say something- he asked me to take him to the hospital. now I had to bring my dogs in the house (4 floors up) brought the man a towel and I had to transport this total "Stranger" alone in my car to the hospital (lucky it was 5 minutes away) I even had a lawyer trying to contact me regarding it- I never responded back to him and he stopped calling- I later heard this guy did this to someone else's dog too and got bit again... It is really really always wise to ask first!
• Israel
16 Sep 08
Your dog behaved like a dog. Totally understandable. Next time call an ambulance. Never do a transport of a crazy in your car. In today's society litigatious society you don't know what can happen. My dogs, who are also well socialized, probably would have bit him too. Your dog probably thought the man was going to bite him. Me, being a girl, would knee him in the balls. I would hate it if my dog bit someone. My city is clamping down on dangerous dogs. Every year when it's time for their rabies vaccine, they ask if the dog is dangerous or has ever bit anyone. I would hate my dog to be labeled dangerous just because it was threatened by an ejit who doesn't understand dog psychology.
• United States
16 Sep 08
I agree I think it is in there best intrest to ask before petting another persons animal. With my dog he is a pitbull and people usually ask. I think it is just beause the breed of dog. Except children or teenagers they think every dog will not jump up or lick and then when they jump up or lik them they get all scared. I agree totally even though I don't have the experiene often.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
16 Sep 08
It is illegal to have pit bulls in my city, but a neighbor of mine has one. No way am I going to report him. His pit bull was out one day on a leash and because of the breed and to be polite, I asked if I could pet him. The guy said sure. That pit bull was just the most precious thing!