I was thinking about the circumstances under which I would pet a strange dog, and I was imagining myself petting a dog someone else was holding, and realized that I just wouldn't do it. There's something instinctively uncomfortable about petting a dog that's being restrained. I usually leave dogs alone unless they're approaching me in a friendly manner or somehow acting receptive... My natural assumption is that a dog who is ignoring you probably doesn't want to interact with you, and a dog being forced to interact with you is going to react unpredictably, because they don't have the option of ending the interaction.
And a dog who's growling... well... that's a no-brainer.
Tojo ducks away from people when they pet him sometimes, but lately he's been letting everyone pet him. He doesn't really like being picked up, I think because he can't duck away if he wants to. If I pick him up, he gets tense and growls at the other dogs if they come near him. I don't really like picking my dogs up, either. I used to pick Tojo up when bringing him inside from a romp (he seems to have some kind of issue with going inside on his own, but he'll let me catch him and bring him inside... what a weirdo), but now I just have leash/collar combos all over the place and lead the pups inside. I don't like grabbing the collar, either. I think they're more comfortable on leash, when they have freedom of movement.
I just read a bit again. Your dog is only 6 months old. Great! Stop what its doing now. There is no reason for it to show that kind of disrespect to any biped. Regardless of what it likes or doesn't...its what the boss is asking of you that matters...what makes them happy. You can't scold the human theres too many of them...especially one that is on his first approach he won't learn and you won't have time or drive to teach him...teach your dog to calmly and politely deal with the situation. Its easier and safer to have your dog squared away than it is to warn every well-wisher who comes by that the dog may or may not respond well to your touch.
I go out of my way to have people touch my dogs, I insist they do. 1. JP people are mostly terrified of dogs, despite the size. 2. The Akita has sadly been deemed dangerous and inconvenient here. Something I want to change one pat at a time. The more people that touch them the more they become accustomed to that interaction also.
At the same time though...the guy was out of line. Always ask before you touch...for your own safety. The dog in question may not be properly exposed, hurt, protective, etc...the owner will know this better than anyone (you would hope). The good owners, I would venture to say, are the ones that say, "Yeah, go ahead, he loves people."
Again, my philosophy is...prepare my dog to handle as many eventualities as possible...
And, no I'm not perfect. Sasuke doesn't like fishermen. Something about the boots or waders or the way they walk with a load. I don't have a lot of opportunities to work on that problem though Mu also didn't like people with big sun hats and sunglasses. He's over that now...between me wearing sunglasses daily and just going to meet all "hatted" people he got over it.
1.) Teach Kiba how to focus on you (if he isn't solid on this), this can be easily done with a clicker and treats as a reward (or a toy, if he prefers). - Everytime he looks at you, click and treat. These are "at home exercises" to begin, then gradually work your way to the outside and random places. And then under distractions.
2.) Works great for both humans and dogs. If Kiba has a drive for toys...you can always redirect from this situation and start playing with him. So that he is moving around and out of reach of the stranger in question. Or maybe even give the toy to the stranger and tell them to throw it (if your comfortable with this). Try to make a play session out of it. Usually, this keeps the stranger from touching your dog (make sure YOU get the toy from your dog) and yet they can still interact with him. A great way for a dog to "warm up" and become "at ease" is through play!
3.) Let's face reality! Sometimes dogs just have their "off" days. Even trained dogs days where they're just less tolerant. Get creative and try distracting the stranger by pulling them away from the dog and talk about some doggie rants (maybe start converation about their dog). Whatever you can come up with to keep their attention on you and away from your dog. A casual body block generally is a part of this (should they be chasing or approaching your dog). Again, if you have to...just leave.
Never "force" your dog to do anything he is not comfortable with. Everything must be gradual. It's "okay" to sometimes just allow your dog to tolerant these situations sometimes, but always, always, always, in extremely small doses. Too lengthy of an exposure...if the dog is tolerant but under stress...will eventually push the dog past his threshold. Remember, your dog looks to you to protect him...if mommy and daddy don't anything about the situation...he will "revert" and take matters into his own "paws".
I think what really helps in these situations...especially since he is still just a puppy. Is having strangers give him treats...no eye contact...just FLAT hand with a treat. Make the dog do something active. Dogs are much more happy when they have a "job" to do...whether it's an obedience command or trick training. He'll be more comfortable with free movement then restriction. Also, when he knows what is expected of him, by giving him a command. He can learn to enjoy this to some extend. Either way, he should be less stressed or not stressed at all.
Dogs don't like to be pat on the head, instead...if you allow them to pet your dog...tell them to approach from the side and pet the side of the face or under the chin. NEVER on top...always on the side or underneath.
This way he may begin to associate "good things" from these situations and not "bad things".
Humans should have appropriate manners too though. Disrespectful and rude humans should be stopped immediately and be taught to properly approach your dog, should you allow them to. Your dog, you're in control...so be in control...and try to make the best of everything and turn this situation into a positive one for both .
I strongly agree with Corinas #2, and like I had posted earlier, my Tetsu feared and hated the annoying teenage boys that kept trying to pet him. But once they started throwing those tennis balls, Tetsu was running up to them wanting them to throw some more. And those boys had ceased trying to pet him and instead had their fill through this play session.
Just as a general deterent if you want to encourage people to ask before they pet (although this won't work at the dog park)...
I found this out accidentally. When Ki wears his backpack people either won't stop, or they'll ask me first. When he doesn't, people are more likely to approach him without asking. I didn't really understand why until a little girl asked her mom if she could 'pet the doggy' and her mother asked me if it was okay because he looked like he was working. If you don't have a pack and you want to use this method as a deterent...try a vest or even just a harness with working dog patches sewn on (I like the "Ask to Pet Me" patch since I do like the social experience for Ki but I don't want people to approach him without asking me first...it's just good manners to do so!).
Seriously, I'm sure you wouldn't love having that on your Shiba... but I am seriously considering them for Masha and Blue to wear during hikes. It would get the message across for sure!
Comments
And a dog who's growling... well... that's a no-brainer.
Tojo ducks away from people when they pet him sometimes, but lately he's been letting everyone pet him. He doesn't really like being picked up, I think because he can't duck away if he wants to. If I pick him up, he gets tense and growls at the other dogs if they come near him. I don't really like picking my dogs up, either. I used to pick Tojo up when bringing him inside from a romp (he seems to have some kind of issue with going inside on his own, but he'll let me catch him and bring him inside... what a weirdo), but now I just have leash/collar combos all over the place and lead the pups inside. I don't like grabbing the collar, either. I think they're more comfortable on leash, when they have freedom of movement.
I go out of my way to have people touch my dogs, I insist they do. 1. JP people are mostly terrified of dogs, despite the size. 2. The Akita has sadly been deemed dangerous and inconvenient here. Something I want to change one pat at a time. The more people that touch them the more they become accustomed to that interaction also.
At the same time though...the guy was out of line. Always ask before you touch...for your own safety. The dog in question may not be properly exposed, hurt, protective, etc...the owner will know this better than anyone (you would hope). The good owners, I would venture to say, are the ones that say, "Yeah, go ahead, he loves people."
Again, my philosophy is...prepare my dog to handle as many eventualities as possible...
And, no I'm not perfect. Sasuke doesn't like fishermen. Something about the boots or waders or the way they walk with a load. I don't have a lot of opportunities to work on that problem though Mu also didn't like people with big sun hats and sunglasses. He's over that now...between me wearing sunglasses daily and just going to meet all "hatted" people he got over it.
...FOCUS
...REDIRECTION
...CREATIVITY
1.) Teach Kiba how to focus on you (if he isn't solid on this), this can be easily done with a clicker and treats as a reward (or a toy, if he prefers).
- Everytime he looks at you, click and treat. These are "at home exercises" to begin, then gradually work your way to the outside and random places. And then under distractions.
2.) Works great for both humans and dogs. If Kiba has a drive for toys...you can always redirect from this situation and start playing with him. So that he is moving around and out of reach of the stranger in question. Or maybe even give the toy to the stranger and tell them to throw it (if your comfortable with this). Try to make a play session out of it. Usually, this keeps the stranger from touching your dog (make sure YOU get the toy from your dog) and yet they can still interact with him. A great way for a dog to "warm up" and become "at ease" is through play!
3.) Let's face reality! Sometimes dogs just have their "off" days. Even trained dogs days where they're just less tolerant. Get creative and try distracting the stranger by pulling them away from the dog and talk about some doggie rants (maybe start converation about their dog). Whatever you can come up with to keep their attention on you and away from your dog. A casual body block generally is a part of this (should they be chasing or approaching your dog). Again, if you have to...just leave.
Never "force" your dog to do anything he is not comfortable with. Everything must be gradual. It's "okay" to sometimes just allow your dog to tolerant these situations sometimes, but always, always, always, in extremely small doses. Too lengthy of an exposure...if the dog is tolerant but under stress...will eventually push the dog past his threshold. Remember, your dog looks to you to protect him...if mommy and daddy don't anything about the situation...he will "revert" and take matters into his own "paws".
I think what really helps in these situations...especially since he is still just a puppy. Is having strangers give him treats...no eye contact...just FLAT hand with a treat. Make the dog do something active. Dogs are much more happy when they have a "job" to do...whether it's an obedience command or trick training. He'll be more comfortable with free movement then restriction. Also, when he knows what is expected of him, by giving him a command. He can learn to enjoy this to some extend. Either way, he should be less stressed or not stressed at all.
Dogs don't like to be pat on the head, instead...if you allow them to pet your dog...tell them to approach from the side and pet the side of the face or under the chin. NEVER on top...always on the side or underneath.
This way he may begin to associate "good things" from these situations and not "bad things".
Humans should have appropriate manners too though. Disrespectful and rude humans should be stopped immediately and be taught to properly approach your dog, should you allow them to. Your dog, you're in control...so be in control...and try to make the best of everything and turn this situation into a positive one for both
I hoped that helped!
[Hopefully my laptop continues to let me post!]
I found this out accidentally. When Ki wears his backpack people either won't stop, or they'll ask me first. When he doesn't, people are more likely to approach him without asking. I didn't really understand why until a little girl asked her mom if she could 'pet the doggy' and her mother asked me if it was okay because he looked like he was working. If you don't have a pack and you want to use this method as a deterent...try a vest or even just a harness with working dog patches sewn on (I like the "Ask to Pet Me" patch since I do like the social experience for Ki but I don't want people to approach him without asking me first...it's just good manners to do so!).
They make these collars:
But you can get this "ID Panel" put on the collars instead of the one shown:
Check them out here: www.elitek9.com
Seriously, I'm sure you wouldn't love having that on your Shiba... but I am seriously considering them for Masha and Blue to wear during hikes. It would get the message across for sure!
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