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Reasons not to let people touch your dog
OnYour puppy from 8 weeks to 8 monthsyBasic dog obedience, I advise people not to allow strangers to touch their dogs. This raised a lot of questions, so I decided to write this article to explain the reasons and exceptions to this policy.
To understand this, you must first understand what I expect from a relationship with my dogs. I want a dog that sees me as the center of his universe. I want my dog to focus on me and ignore other people and animals.
I don't want a dog to see other people as "petters" or "treat dispensers". In other words, I don't want my dog running to every Tom, Dick, and Harry hoping to interact with them. I want my dog to accept people as an integral part of his environment. I want my dog to be aloof with strangers, but at the same time I don't want my dog to be suspicious or aggressive with strangers (unless I tell him to).
We bring this concept to our home where we have several dogs that are trained by another family member.
We expect our own dogs to fully accept other family members as pack members.
family and their dog
- Family members will not exercise or play with another family member's personal dog.
- Family members may greet another family member's dogs with a pat on the head when they come home, but are not thrilled with them.
- Family members can even feed the dogs, but they only leave the food. They don't try to take food or bones from another family member's dog.
- Any family member can take all the dogs outside to pee and poop. But we don't PLAY with other people's dogs or attack them when we do. It is a sterile exercise. In other words, go there, do what you want, and come back. There are no games or play outside.
- The PLAY and training comes from the person who is the leader or handler of the particular dog.
When we walk our puppies and people try to pet them, we politely but firmly ask them not to touch our dog. If you have any questions, simply let them know that the dog is being trained as a service dog. As long as you don't try to disguise a dog as a service dog and put them in places where normal pets don't belong, there's nothing wrong with that legally.
Teach your dog to ignore strangers
If I have a shy puppy or dog, I train him to feed him high quality treats whenever he is in a situation that makes him nervous. As for dog training, "I hire the dog." This means I connect with the dog both mentally and physically, making myself more interesting than the things around me that make the dog uncomfortable. Training for this is covered in detail in the first 45 minutes of my DVD entitledThe power of food training dogs).
The basic concept is that whenever I see my puppy or dog acting a little nervous, I direct the puppy towards me with an excited tone and jackpots until I see the dog is fully focused on me.
Soon, the dog will see something that makes him a little uncomfortable and will look for me for a quality treat. For more information, see my articles onMotivationytag training.
Anyone with a dog can practice this work while walking. If you see another dog walking with the owner, or a person riding a bicycle, or even someone walking, stop, engage your dog and start rewarding him with quality treats. It doesn't take long for the dog to realize that its owner is much more interesting than strangers.
service dogs
The question of assistance dogs often arises. They ask me, "Isn't this philosophy counterproductive for service dogs?"
The answer is: "No, it doesn't have to be."
Potential service dogs can (and in my opinion should) be bred with the NO PETS POLICY. The difference is that the handler can teach the dog that he can approach strangers if the handler tells him to pet him. This can be done withtag training.
The handler must also be able to prevent the dog from being petted. This work can be started at a very early age, when the puppy is running.base.
Problems with the no pampering policy
The biggest problem I've seen with this no pampering policy is the family members who didn't agree to the marker program.
There is no easy answer to this. In my opinion, this is a serious problem that only you and your family can solve.
I can say that if you figure this out and follow these concepts, you will have a dog that will accept you as pack leader. Your dog will also get along better with your family because he clearly understands his position within the family pack.
This raises another important issue that confuses many new homeowners. They think they need their dog to see their children as a higher position in the family pack than the dog. This is not the case. How can a 3 or 2 year old have a greater range than an adult German Shepherd? The answer is that they cannot.
When dogs are raised the way we raise them, they learn who their pack leader is. Becoming a pack leader is a natural part of us.package structure program🇧🇷 During the establishment of pack structure, we teach the dog that one of the pack leader's rules is "Ignore small children" and another is "Don't be aggressive with anyone unless told to."
Dogs bred this way are easier to train as they don't receive mixed or conflicting signals from being trained by more than one person in the family. A dog must have a trainer. You can have more than one controller, but you must have only one trainer.
New dog owners need to understand that training and handling are two different things. Family members treat a trained dog when they take it outside or for a walk, but that is not training.
For dog training to be clear, it must be presented to the dog in an easy to understand BLACK AND WHITE method. Allowing two people to train the same dog adds a lot of GRAY to the process and only creates confusion. Confusion leads to behavior problems.
If you have a puppy and you still don't have my DVDYour puppy from 8 weeks to 8 monthsI recommend you think about it.
I also recommend that you purchase my DVD titledBasic dog obedience🇧🇷 I advise people to get both at the same time because you have more to learn than your dog. Even if your dog is only 8 weeks old and the information on the Basic Dog Obedience DVD cannot be used for several months, now is the time to start education, not the night before starting distraction training.
Don't be like the school teacher who makes a class schedule the night before class. It's not the best way.
If you are really serious about training, I highly recommend you sign up for ours.Online dog training courses at your own pace🇧🇷 we have aBasic dog obedience coursethat you can go back and forth to really dig into the concepts.
Thanks for listening and good luck with your dog.
About the author
Ed Frawley
Ed Frawley is the founder of Leerburg. He has been training dogs since the 1950's. Ed has bred active pedigree German Shepherds for 30 years and has produced over 350 litters. During this time, Ed began recording dog training videos and soon developed an interest in police service dogs. His drug-sniffing dogs have been involved in over 1,000 drug searches, resulting in hundreds of arrests across the state of Wisconsin. Ed now focuses exclusively on productiondog training courseswith nationally renowned canine trainers. If you want to know more about Ed, read about his story.here.
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FAQs
Is it I petted the dog or I pet the dog? ›
All dictionaries agree that "petted" is the past tense and past participle tense of "pet," as in, "I petted the dog yesterday," and "Yesterday the dog was petted." This follows the pattern of "jet," "vet" and "net": "The hotshot recruit was jetted to company headquarters where he was vetted and netted."
What does petting your dog mean? ›Many dogs experience petting as a form of affection from humans, which makes these interactions not only pleasant, but even supportive of your dog's mental health. In fact, research shows that dog brains release the love hormone Oxytocin when they're petted and given attention from a human.
When should I stop petting my dog? ›Signs a Dog Doesn't Like Being Petted
Moving or leaning away from you. Ducking his or her head away from your hand. Tail tucking and tense. Drawn back lips.
If a person feels as if the dog is safe and they are comfortable petting the dog, they should do so only if the owner says it is OK to do so. This way, they can be sure that they won't antagonize the dog and cause it to act out in any way.
Where do dogs like to be petted the best? ›- Lower back near the base of the tail.
- Belly and underside of the chest.
- Top of the head and neck.
- Under the chin.
- On the front of the neck.
- On the sides of the thighs.
The verb meaning to treat as a pet, to stroke, or to fondle is the latecomer, dating from 1629. To “pet” in the sexual sense (making out, in other words) came along in 1921. The sources for this usage, according to the OED, are the Scottish Gaelic peata and the Old Irish petta, which originally meant a tame animal.
Do dogs prefer petting or stroking? ›While for others, they may love nothing more than being petted. Dogs benefit the most when touched in places they feel comfortable with and when approached in a 'non-threatening' way. For example, most dogs prefer being touched with long gentle strokes along the chest, shoulder and base of the tail.
Do dogs like petting or patting? ›Not all dogs like to be patted, at least not all of the time. Dogs have preferences as to where, when and how they like to be touched. They also have preferences for who they like to be touched by. Just because they love a chest scratch from their care giver, doesn't mean they want the same from a stranger.
Do dogs recognize petting as affection? ›Yes, your dog knows how much you love him! Dogs and humans have a very special relationship, where dogs have hijacked the human oxytocin bonding pathway normally reserved for our babies. When you stare at your dog, both your oxytocin levels go up, the same as when you pet them and play with them.
What not to do when petting a dog? ›Never lean over a dog or put your face next to theirs.
Some dogs become very nervous when a human leans over or crowds them. Turn your body slightly away from the dog as you pet him. Avoid petting a dog directly on the head.
Why do dogs lick you? ›
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
How many hours a day should you pet your dog? ›The generalisation from most dog experts is that dogs need about one to two hours of dedicated doggy time to maintain a strong Owner/dog bond. That can include feeding, playtime, training, grooming, and exercise, spread throughout the day. And, dogs shouldn't spend more than eight continuous hours alone per day.
Does a puppy choose its owner? ›Early-life bonding
As a result, dogs typically form strong, lifelong bonds with whoever feeds, plays, and generally cares for them most often during this critical time. In cases where the person they bonded with is no longer around, a dog may still show favoritism toward people that are similar to them.
Science proves that part of the canine brain is associated with positive emotions and they do, indeed, feel love for their human companions.
Do puppies love to be held? ›To the dismay of many, no, they don't always like it. Being held — which covers everything from a loving hug to a snuggle in your lap — can raise a dog's stress level and cause him to show visible signs of anxiety. When your puppy squirms when you pick him up, it's not just because he's being a wiggly puppy.
How do dogs pick favorite person? ›Dogs choose their favorite people based on positive interactions and socialization they have shared in the past. Like humans, dogs are especially impressionable as their brains develop, so puppies up to 6 months old are in their key socialization period.
What is a dogs sweet spot? ›A cluster of nerves located under the skin makes up the dog sweet spot. When you scratch your pet's tummy and hit this spot, these nerves get activated and send a message to the hind leg, via the spinal cord, to start kicking in an attempt to dislodge the source of irritation.
Do animals understand petting? ›Scientists pinpoint special sensory cells that respond to gentle touch. Social beasts—humans, elephants, chimps, dogs, and cats—seem to enjoy being caressed. Neurobiologists have now taken a step toward pinpointing neural circuitry underlying this pleasant sensation.
Do pets enjoy petting? ›Pets love petting. In fact, all mammals enjoy being caressed, humans included.
What is the first pet to get? ›Small pets such as guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils make good companions because they are easy to handle, easy to keep track of, and non-threatening to a child. Guinea pigs make especially good pets for very young children because they are docile, rarely bite, and are easily handled.
Where not to touch a dog? ›
The genitals and anus are obvious areas to stay away from; dogs are protective of these areas just like humans. In general, other areas to avoid petting include the face, tail, feet, and legs. Hugging a dog should also be avoided unless you are certain the dog likes it.
Where do dogs not like to be petted? ›Most dogs dislike being touched on top of the head and on the muzzle, ears, legs, paws and tail. Slow petting, similar to gentle massage or light scratching, can calm a dog down. Place your hand on an area where the dog enjoys being handled and gently move your hand or fingers in the same direction the fur lies.
Do dogs like blankets on them? ›Dogs notoriously love their blankets. Whether it's at home or on the road, it gives them a place to snuggle up and be comfortable. No matter your lifestyle, this is an easy investment that every pet owner can make to improve the quality of life for their animal.
What do dogs love the most? ›They love to eat, sleep and run around outside. Interestingly, dogs have preferences unique to canines. Most people are not aware of these particular tastes. Dogs, like humans, enjoy certain activities, mostly related to their breed, instinct, temperament and personality.
Do dogs like to be kissed? ›Dogs may respond differently to being kissed and hugged. Some dogs love it, others show pretty obvious signs of disliking it, and some just tolerate them.
Why does my dog paw at me when I stop petting her? ›By putting his paw on you whilst you are petting him, he is expanding contact and reciprocating affection back to you. While this act can be interpreted as an expression of love, your dog pawing at you can also be credited to numerous other feelings. He wants to play, he wants food, he's anxious, or may be in pain.
How do you tell if your dog is happy living with you? ›He always looks you in the eye.
Eye contact is a major sign of trust in dogs, so those loving looks the two of you share while sitting together after a long day of hanging out are sure signs of a happy doggo. Dogs also make eye contact as a way to check in with you and make sure you're feeling as happy as they are.
- Soft eye contact. Eye contact can mean many things, but dogs are naturally quite hesitant to make eye contact. ...
- Tail wagging. ...
- Cuddling (on their terms) ...
- Happy greeting.
Why do dogs like to sleep with you? If your pup likes to sleep with you, it means they feel secure and comfortable with you. When your dog was a puppy, they cuddled up with their littermates for warmth and comfort, so now they want to do the same with their people.
How much petting does a dog need? ›On average, you can expect to spend at a minimum, 1 - 2 hours each day on providing dedicated attention for your dog. This can be in the form of a walk, play, enrichment activities, training or general cuddle time.
Can dogs be petted too much? ›
Affection is an important part of the human dog bond and when thoughtfully utilized, can be beneficial for both dog and owner. However badly timed affection can worsen problems, build over stimulation, reward inappropriate behavior, and create instability in some dogs.
What dogs think of humans? ›That said, dogs often treat us as like we're part of one big happy pack. They can be incredibly loyal and loving to their family members. They rely on their human alphas to take care of them. If your dog doesn't see you as their alpha and ignores your commands, some professional training may be in order.
Why do dogs follow you to the bathroom? ›If your dog follows you into the bathroom, it's likely a result of their animal instinct and pack mentality. Canines who do this are referred to as “Velcro dogs,” due to their desire to be attached to your side. They may follow you around, even to the bathroom, to protect a part of their pack.
Why do dogs get the Zoomies? ›Zoomies is generally caused by a build-up of excess energy which is then released in one short burst. Don't worry though, it's a completely natural behaviour. It's most common in and generally occurs less and less as they get older. But that's not to say it'll stop entirely – many older dogs will still have FRAPs!
What colors can dogs see? ›Human eyes have three types of cones that can identify combinations of red, blue, and green. Dogs possess only two types of cones and can only discern blue and yellow - this limited color perception is called dichromatic vision.
Should I leave the TV on for my dog? ›Puppies don't have long attention spans, so distractions can keep them on their toes and out of trouble. The more distracted they are, the less likely they are to take their boredom out on your belongings. So, to be clear – YES, leave the TV on for your dog.
How do I know if my dog feels neglected? ›Signs Your Dog Feels Neglected
Dogs often engage in destructive behavior when feeling neglected, like excessive digging, chewing and scratching. Another way they might express their feelings of frustration are through barking and howling fits, particularly at night.
Generally speaking, a healthy dog with a short, smooth coat and no skin problems doesn't need to be bathed often. In most cases, dog baths are more for the benefit of their pet parents than for the dogs themselves. Even so, it's a good idea to bathe your pooch at least once every two to three months.
Is it I petted the cat or I pet the cat? ›This has been the case for as long as the word has been a verb (about 500 years). The uninflected form (e.g., he pet the cat) is fairly common in informal contexts, especially in the U.S., but it usually gives way to petted in edited writing.
How do you use petted in a sentence? ›She had been petted and admired for her uncommon sprightliness and pleasant disposition. Two chimps attacked a zookeeper and took two of her fingers off after she petted one of them, police said. A cat will not do a shtick to be petted on its head.
Is petted a proper word? ›
Pet and petted are two conjugations of a verb that means to stroke or caress. Pet is a present tense conjugation. Petted is the simple past tense version.
What is the correct pronoun for a dog? ›A: It's not often we get grammar questions about animals—it's even less often that we get one with two different answers. But that's what we have here. An animal is referred as “it” unless the relationship is personal (like a pet that has a name). Then it's OK to use “he” or “she" when referring to the animal.
What comes first cat or dog? ›It seems the that the cat family branched off first, 10.3 million years ago, before the family of dog-like mammals, 7.8 million years ago.
What is the past tense of pee? ›peed - Simple English Wiktionary.
Do cats let anyone pet them? ›If you do it correctly, the answer is yes. Many cats, despite the common and persistent myth that they are aloof, welcome affection from their people. In fact, petting and holding your cat helps build a loving relationship between the two of you.
Is it getting pet or petted? ›The past tense of “pet” has been “petted” for over 500 years. Fairly recently, “pet” has become regularly used and accepted in informal settings – largely by Americans, rebels that we are; however, in edited text, “petted” holds strong as the correct version.
Why is it called petting a pet? ›The word petit in french at the time referred to small children. Afterwards, it was then applied to companion animals because they were generally small. Thus they became "pets." And then we like to pet (the verb) them, so the noun became a verb.
What does petting an animal mean? ›If you pet an animal, child, etc., you touch it, him, or her gently and kindly with your hands: Our dog loves to be petted and tickled behind the ears. [ I ] informal. If two people are petting, they are kissing and touching each other in a sexual way. See also.
Do pets like being petted? ›Pets love petting. In fact, all mammals enjoy being caressed, humans included.
Do humans enjoy being petted? ›Social beasts—humans, elephants, chimps, dogs, and cats—seem to enjoy being caressed. Neurobiologists have now taken a step toward pinpointing neural circuitry underlying this pleasant sensation.
What type of word is petting? ›
verb. Definition of petting. present participle of pet. as in caressing. to touch or handle in a tender or loving manner a cat who loves to be petted.
Can I use who for animals? ›Who is for people and not animals in English grammar. This an important rule for learners of English. WHO is only used for people. When you refer to animals you want to use WHICH or THAT (used also for things).
Can I say they for dogs? ›If we didn't know the sex of a dog, we can use the neutral pronoun "it", but its owner always knows, and for many owners, their pets are permanent members of the family. By using the singular "they" people are still including a dog, regardless of its sex, as a member of the family household.
Is the word Dad a pronoun? ›No, dad is a common noun.