How can you get people to not pet your dog?

I was volunteering with a group that helps train dogs for the deaf. You usually get all kinds of cute little mixie dogs (mine was a chi/jack russell and oh so cute!) and everyone and their brother just wanted to pet him! I tried ignoring the kid and getting the dog to ignore them too, but people trying to pet the dog will interfere with his training and no matter how many times you tell that to people they won't friggin' listen!! I tried getting a service dog vest for him that had a patch that read "Please don't pet me, I'm working". However I still got ignorant people who would walk up and pet him when I wasn't looking and then smart @sses who would make obnoxious comments when I walked by ("Looks a little small to be a seeing eye dog", "Does the dog help you find groceries too?").

Other than barricading yourself up in the house I don't suppose there is too much you can do. Obviously you need to be flattered that people adore your dog that much, however aggravating those people are to you. You can try walking your dog at one in the morning (when normal people are sleeping), but that's not very practical. Since they don't make a 'People Halt' spray (like the dog spray the give to mailmen to defend off aggressive dogs), the only way you can effectivly get people to leave you and your dog alone is to ignore them and not make eye contanct, and then act real rude when they approach you. I personally don't have a problem screaming my head off to little kids who bombard my dog and try to ride him and put their fingers in his eyes. The parents look at me cross when I scream "Hey! What the hell are you doing! Get the hell away from my dog before he bites you, or I do! Where is your mother! God damnit I said get away now!", but since I've lived in the same neighborhood for awhile most parents now take their kids to the other side of the road when the crazy lady with the little dog walk by. However yelling isn't for everyone either (but it sure does take the edge off you after a long day at work!).

So I guess that's my only advice. That or you can get a different dog... (heh)

I think that you need to be prepared to give a dog what it needs based on an individual basis. What a breed was bred to do can give you a good indication of what is required to keep it contented, but i don't think the exact task needs to be replicated, just a suitable modern alternative. My feelings are that a badly behaved dog, in any sense of the word, is not being given what it needs in terms of activity and stimulation. Sufficient exercise and stimulation right from the start will avoid any "uncontrollable" issue at all - excessive barking, pooping in the house, pulling on the lead, fleeing the scene, separation anxiety, destruction, aggression, etc - you name it. Yes, i think it is ok to have a dog as a pet, if the dog is a good weight (not just too fat to move), well behaved and contented because that indicates the dog is happy, which is the important thing. Whether the dog is a particular breed or a mutt is irrelevent, that just indicates what kind of activities they might enjoy more. Any dog needs exercise and stimulation and if i had to take a wild guess, i'd predict about 85% of dogs do not get enough.

I wouldn't suggest telling people that he may bite because you don't want people to have that kind of wrong impression. Just ask them nicely not to pet the dog. If you are walking tell them that this is the dog's time to go for a walk and he may not want attention right now. I have the same problem jogging with my dog, the neighborhood kids always want us to stop so they can play with him and I always have to tell them that he wants to run right now not get attention. Some people will say okay and others will look at you like you are being rude. I don't pay any attention and I remind myself that I am doing what is best for my dog which in the end is what matters to me.

Tell everyone that no, they may not pet him. If they ask why, tell them you don't like strangers petting your dog and keep going. You may get some rude looks, but who cares?

I have the same problem, and feel I can't take my dogs if I am in a hurry, becasue of so many people wanting to touch or pet. My breed has hair much like your dog's, and it gets oily and messy if handled by dirty hands. People would never 'have to pet' your own hair, as it is rude, but yet they want to touch every dog that is cute or pretty.

Oh, I have the same problem! People will even approach my car and attempt to stick their hands in my windows to pet my JRT. It drives me crazy and I'm constantly yelling at people to leave her alone. It's especially bad whenever little kids run up to both of my dogs and scare the crap out of them.

The only thing that I've found that works *is* yelling at them. People give me dirty looks all the time for being rude(I live in a small town), but it isn't my fault they can't listen whenever I tell them do not pet my dogs.

Tell them "Please don't pet him, he's in training now" This usually works well, most people will respect your space if they think you are trying to accomplish something.

On another note it is NEVER a good idea to imply that your dog may bite because on the off chance your dog does bite someone you will be held to a harsher punishment because they will think you knew you had a "dangerous" dog. This is a big liabiliy. Don't do it!!

Get one of those "dog purses" so you can close him up whan you enter a store. This way, there is a barrier between him and the kids, AND you have a reason to say "He is not good with kids and may bite", or they won't ask at all! It's pretty clever, because "out-of-sight" is "out-of-reach!"

If you can, find a Halti or Gentle Leader to use. Most people think it is a muzzle, and make the "bad dog" assumption themselves! Works great for me, I actually have parents take their kids across the street when I come their way!

i tell them that my dog "isn't good with people" so they think he may bite them and i make a big show of trying to hold him back as he lunges in their direction. truth be told he loves people and is only lunging at them so he can get to them and lick their faces, but it freaks them out anyway and they leave him alone. this is also a good tactic to use when people come to my door selling things. i hold him by the collar and he lunges towards them and i pretend like it's very hard to hold him back. they don't stay at my door very long.

Unfortunately, you have to be very blunt with some people. Just tell them you're on the way to the Vet's(start scratching your arm about now) to see what kind of skin disease your little dog has and it seems you have it now!!