Yesterday we had a visitor to the house who went straight to my dog and put his face down so close I had to dive in and say 'please dont put your face in my dogs face,because,he is very nervous and he might bite'
My poor boy practically did a back flip to get away,this has happened with several people,why do they get so close to a strange dog?its the last thing I would do.
Then when I warn them they wont fuss the dog atall.

Bizarre! You ought of course to let the dog approach you, which I think wasn't realised so much when I was young, but I know I was taught always to hold out a hand for the dog to sniff before patting him.

Sadly a lot of people just aren't aware of what frightens or threatens a dog - for most people, adults included, the first thing they want to do is pat a dog on the head, whereas we know it's at best frightening for the dog, and at worst, very threatening to some.  I find that with my rotti X girl all the time - she looks cute, so kids want to stroke her.  Most do ask, luckily - but even after I've said very clearly that they should let her sniff them, then stroke her under the chin because the top of her head frightens her, they still go straight to the top.  The last time it happened she did like your boy and leapt backwards to get away, quite upset.  Some dogs don't even like a hand being held out - when I meet new dogs I take care to stand at an angle to them, not move directly at them if it's at all possible (and I move slowly), and I let them come to me for a sniff.  If they're okay with that I might move a hand toward them slowly - but I'll only fuss if they've shown no signs of being nervous of me.  But Joe Public seems to think any dog is quite happy to be roughed up about the face :rolleyes:

I have exactly the same problem with children when they meet my young Golden Nikita.  He is a bit nervous and I have great problems trying to get him over this when despite my instructions, children will dash over and 'mob' him.  I've now started walking him past school playgrounds when the children are outside because I know they are locked in and can't get too near! :)

at a champ show 2 years ago we were judged by one of the UK's leading all rounders, who decided to sit on the ground in front of each exhibit, putting himself below their eye level, and peer into their faces  we were all horrified and other breeds came over to watch they awere so amazed.....and this from someone whois meant to be a real dog person

Had similar with my GSD when he was young, One GOOD way to get it over to kids if you get chance is to get them to squat down - obout dog level- then rush up to them with your hand descending towards their head- Don't make contact unless its a particularly obnoxious child!!!. and then you can explain what it is like from the dogs point of view,
told one child about dozen times then did this- next time he came up he was telling his mates - no do it this way or you scare the dog.
Chris

When I worked in boarding kennels I used to squat down to greet strange dogs a lot - we had a fair few come in that were nervous with strangers, and the way the kennel owner liked to do things meant they were let out from the kennel and into the exercise fields without a leash, which meant that if they weren't keen on us, we had to catch them to get them in again :rolleyes: so I was often squatting down to try and win some trust.  But I never sat right in front of them or peered into their faces - that just defeats the object!  It was always side-on and a little distance away.  Didn't work with the most nervous dogs in some cases, but most of the time it did the trick.  It was also the only way to catch a particularly cheeky husky!!

My older dog ( a rescue) absolutely hates people other than close family and friends putting a hand down to him (even though we have had him 7 years) :( :( He won't bite, but will bark. It's amazing the number of people, including, doggy people, who will just walk straight up to him and put their hand out to him :( :( :( They get their just desserts when he barks at them :D :D We do try to warn people, but sometimes they just don't give us the chance :( :(

Daisy

Some years ago I was visiting a local farm with friends when the husband decided to play a game with the resident working collie-he hadn't met it before. He loves all dogs but is a bit too boisterous with them- he put his head down to this dog and the next minute we heard a yell!
The collie had bitten his ear- he was bleeding profusely and the farmer took him in for some first aid from the wife. She staunched the blood with a lump of cootton wool! We popped into the Cottage Hospital to get it properly dressed- the nurse removed the cotton wool and a piece of ear came away too!! Did he learn his lesson? Noooo!!

Linda

People are always doing this to mine and why do people insist on kissing dogs?????

some dogs' just don't like it and I don't blame them. I wouldn't want people coming up to me and getting in my face - I haven't bitten any one YET but never say never ;)

Only because you cant break through your muzzle Missie.......:):):):):)

passport ready....off i go!!!!!!

OOOHHHH fighting talk, he he.  We have kids all over our boy at the rugby club,  they are about the same height as him when he is sitting down.  I know he is good but i have to say to them not too much.  I wish people would teach their kids some dog manners.  My kids always ask first and then let the dog sniff them.  If he spoted a cat he would be over them in an instant, can't get him to stop chasing cats.......
We have two next door that come in our garden and smile at him.... he then jumps the 4' fence to the next part and chases them out the garden.  Then my girl barks to tell me he has jumped the fence again, typical girl, tell tale...
Sorry went off on one then.
Yvonne

Yes she's very brave on here isn't she Yvonne ;) :P

I don't worry too much about it BUT when strangers come up to them, especially at shows when they are benched, and think they can give you dogs a cuddle because they 'look' friendly :rolleyes: and they are at 'face cuddling height' and with out asking you first I don't like that at all and its usually ME who does the growling :D :D

I do keep an eye on mine when we are out and about in strange places just incase. 
They are a bit like magnets aren't they....Especially Kara, is she an Akita i was asked today???????????
What....

Because Roxy's small children (and some ignorant adults) think it's ok to just come up and pat her.  It makes me so mad that they don't have the manners to ask first.  I growl more than Roxy does, she just wags her tail!  :rolleyes:  But that's not the point, they don't know her or how she'll react.  When we're out and about I always ask if it's ok to pat someone's dog, I would never dream of just walking up and patting it.  It's just plain rude.  Why can't other people see this?

My OH too.  Took his truck in for sevice, went behind the counter where the resident, unfriendly GR spends her days, to get to the garage part.  On the way back he came up on the dozing dog from behind, leaned down close to give her a snuggly pet and she bit him just below his eye.  Not serious, just a slight scrape but poor OH, did he get any sympathy from  me?  Oh no, my horror was that he hadn't known better.  ;)

what I find particularly annoying are kids that as they walk by, decide to quickly fling their hand out to touch my dog and then pull it away really quick, sort of "look, i'm brave I touched the big doggie" luckily mine is completely laid back but they could so easily get bitten if they chose the wrong dog and it would be their own fault but the dog would get the blame.