General Etiquette > Life...in general

Sidebar: Keep yourself away from my dog...

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jfulle5:
OK so here is a side debate on the "get your dog away from me" debate. How do I keep people away from my dogs! I have three long hair mini Dachshunds, in three different colors, ranging in age from 3 years to 17 years old. I love my dog but one is, well, about to die and has a horrible skin diseases on his back that is only noticeable when you touch it. People are ALWAYS coming up to my dogs and petting them when, yes they are leashed, and I don't stop to let them pet them. The dogs are super friendly but people typically make rude comments about my doggie that is sick after they pet him. First I didn't invite them to pet him and second I don't want to single him out as in "oh don't pet him he's diseased" because my dogs are jealous of each other and I don't want him to feel left out. So here is the question. How do I politely say "don't touch my dogs"?

MadMadge43:
I actually wanted to touch a dog once, I of course always ask if it's alright. The owner simply said, he actually has a skin disease and when he gets petted his hair falls out, it's just now coming back.  So I made a few faces at him and was happy.  Then the owner went into the coffee shop and I stopped a few people from petting him myself.

If done nicely with an explanation, people will understand. Just simply say, this one is really old and has a few problems and can't be petted and gets so jealous if the others are, do you mind?

Anyone who does isn't worth being polite to anymore.

Alida:
"Please don't pet the dogs.  One is very ill."  That should stop them.  At least I would HOPE it would stop them!

jfulle5:
I had someone pet him once after I told them "Yes he is friendly, but I'd rather you not touch him" and then made a comment afterwards about him. I replied "well it's not my fault your hand smells now, I told you not to pet him." hehe

Cyndi:
I agree with other posters....just politely say no and explain why.

How rude though of people to just touch your dog without asking! I was taught to always ask if I can pet a dog that isn't mine, and then I let them sniff the back of my closed fist and accept me before I just reach out and touch them.

I have a little story of my own to tell regarding this:
The neighbors next door are very sweet people. But one time I took Bernie out to go potty mere minutes after he'd dried off after a bath. The guy was working in his yard. His hands were filthy. He cupped Bernie's face in his hands, but LUCKILY the dirt didn't transfer. I hurried Bernie away so he'd do his business and then ran him inside to brush off the few particles that did cling. I still cringe when I imagine what would've happened if Joe's hands were muddy instead of just dirty.

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