Question of the Day - Wednesday, September 24th, 2025

[BlindLemonChicken]

I had a German Shepherd mix that looked like a teddy bear. People were always trying to wooby him—including parents telling their kids they could pet him without asking me. Unfortunately, he did not like kids. So I would have to explain this to the parents as their kids are trying to pet him and he is trying to act like he isn’t super annoyed. I never understood why parents did this. You don’t know someone else’s dog. Why would you assume a 100 lb German Shepherd is friendly? And then the parents would act like I was a butthole. Some people need to be kept on leashes…

 

[500Chickens]

I don't have a dog anymore, but I would make sure no one would pet them without asking. That's just rude.

 

[BoundlessLove]

No one else pets my dog except family and very close friends.
I don’t mind when they pet him.
Anyone else, I’d like to see them try. Wouldn’t bother me, but may bother them.

 

[ShrekDawg]

So far, I haven’t run into this issue. Everyone has been very respectful and asks if they can lol

 

[azurbanclucker]

So far, I haven’t run into this issue. Everyone has been very respectful and asks if they can lol

Thats because Brew looks like he'd eat them

 

[ShrekDawg]

Thats because Brew looks like he'd eat them

Hahahahah true!!!!!! Even my own brother says he’s “a scary looking dog.” he knows he’s not actually scary or mean and still loves him but it was pretty funny when he said that one day LOL

 

[Squawkers]

I always ask first out of respect for the dog and the owner and expect the same in return.

On the reverse, I also think it's rude not to keep your leashed dog close to you unless the stranger shows interest. Don't just let it go right up to people because your pooch is super friendly. I'm a huge dog lover but my brother was almost killed by a lab when he was young and is terrified of dogs, even friendly ones. Also, some people have serious allergies!

Yes definitely that too

 

[Squawkers]

Yeah maybe I have more trouble because mine is a golden

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

I don't really take my dog out in public, so I don't really have this issue. Even if someone does ask if they can pet my dog, I'm typically nervous about it, especially if that person is a male (or a kid). My dog can be weird with some people, particularly males, so I don't know if he's going to nip or not. Besides that though, he loves other people and is typically good, even with kids, and once he's met someone once (and they passed), then he'll treat them like a long lost friend.

 

[sourland]

This was something I did not allow.