When You Don’t Have Common Sense with Dogs
This is Gus :)
Random person with a toddler: “Oh my gosh. Your dog is so cute.”
Me: “Thank you, he really is a handsome boy.”
Random person with a toddler: “Come here sweetie and pet the doggy.”
Me: “Actually, he doesn’t want to be petted right now, thank you.”
Random person with a toddler: “If your dog can’t be petted, then you shouldn’t have him out in public places.”
Me: “My dog is not out so you or anyone else can pet him. He is my dog, he is calm and in control, and I don’t want you or your child to pet him.”
This literally happened when I took Gus, my red merle mini-australian shepherd, for a walk on the pier in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Seriously… some people just make me so mad with how entitled they are. There is so much about that interaction that makes my skin boil. For a random person with a toddler to be so careless with their interaction with a new and strange animal makes me furious.
What exactly did you just teach your child?
That any animal you see is “yours.”
You can touch without asking.
All animals are safe.
To disrespect another adult’s response.
I have a toddler too. It’s not like I don’t enjoy kids and think that kids interacting with dogs is wrong. I think it is incredibly precious. AND… I still hated the interaction with this woman. It got me thinking about how I learned about respecting animals and their owners.
I grew up with dogs, german short-haired pointers, and have been around dogs my entire life. Family friends have had dogs, my friends, and also… random strangers (obviously) have dogs. Is there such a thing as people who are raised with dogs have better common sense around dogs than people who are not raised with dogs?
I am very curious about this.
As I reflect on how I was raised with dogs, I can hear my dad and mom’s voices in my head telling my brother and I these things as a child:
Don’t go near the dog when he is eating. That’s his food and his time to eat. He doesn’t bother you when you are eating, so don’t bother him.
That’s their dog, you have to ask them before you touch the dog.
Before you touch a dog, you let them sniff you so they can get to know you.
You never grab or pull on a dog’s fur or tail. That hurts them and we don’t want to hurt a dog.
When a dog has had enough, they will go lay down. Let them go so they can have a break.
Keep your hands out of a dog’s kennel or their fence.
Stay out of the dog’s kennel. That’s their home and where they feel safe.
You never crawl into a dog’s kennel when the dog is in there.
If a dog is not on a leash, do NOT run past them. Stop and wait for the owner to get control of the dog before going past the dog.
Use your words with a dog. Don’t push, pull, etc… to get a dog to do what you want. Dogs listen to us, we just have to tell them.
Don’t intentionally scare or yell at a dog.
If they are playing with a toy, don’t grab it out of their mouth or take it when it is near their feet - use your words.
Bring a poop bag with you when you go for a walk.
Know your dog and what their limits are. Never set your dog up to fail.
I mean, I could literally go on and on and on. What else would you add that I missed?
For people who have been raised with dogs. Are these things just common sense to us? Or does it take certain lessons and experiences with dogs to actually earn this “common sense?”
Each dog that I have had has been a phenomenal dog. They are high energy, loving, protective, and good. I’ve never had a bad dog - ever. That’s not to say that my dogs haven’t been total idiots… every dog does stupid, quirky things that are hilarious and infuriating. That’s part of the enjoyment we get as dog owners.
So the things that I learned from being raised with dogs ABSOLUTELY translates to being a dog owner, interacting with dogs, and raising my own son with dogs.
What do I wish every person and child knew about interacting with dogs?
A dog is an animal. Even though we love them dearly, we do everything we can for them, they are an animal.
A dog deserves the utmost respect. They are smart, powerful, and cunning creatures. They deserve gentleness, protection, and love.
A dog is unique and has their own quirks. Even if you know somebody who knows somebody who knows somebody who has a dog JUST LIKE YOURS… nope. Your dog is unlike any other dog.
A dog can surprise you. You may have your dog pegged with a certain personality and then, they’ll surprise you with something new or unexpected.
Dogs are literally man’s best friend. There is no love like a love for a dog, they just hold a special piece of your heart.
A dog’s owner is the authority over the dog. Whatever the dog’s owner says is the law with their dog. The dog owner isn’t trying to be a jerk - they are keeping their dog and you safe.
So, to the entitled woman who was offended that I wouldn’t let her or her toddler pet my dog…
I’m not sorry… I’m not okay with another adult assuming that a random dog they see is theirs to do anything they want with. You should know better.
I’m not sorry… that your toddler didn’t get to pet my dog. She didn’t cry or even care. You are the one who wanted to pet my dog and I’m not sorry that you didn’t get what you wanted.
I’m not sorry…for defending my dog’s right to be in a public space, on a leash, and in complete control of himself. The world isn’t yours lady… other people and animals can experience the world when they are in control of themselves.
Sheeshhhh… all of that from just one bad interaction on a walk. Again, I know that most people have common sense with dogs and I hope that common sense gets passed around more broadly so that ALL people interact with dogs and their owners in a respectful way.
Please share with your family and friends the wisdom you have about positively interacting with dogs. It’s to keep our loving dogs and our humans safe and thriving.
